Introduction
This paper examines important roles played by the influential American policymakers.
Prominent American personalities fought for restoration of human dignity not only in the United States but also in the entire globe. Such leaders embraced democracy during the difficult period of the Cold War.
The paper evaluates significance of historical and social context during the Cold War between America and the Soviet Union. The American policymakers such as Truman Harry, Marshall George and Eisenhower Dwight have to be remembered fro their determination to promote democracy during the Cold War.
According to Johnson, the Soviet Union and America became enemies after the World War II (10). However, the two countries were allies during World War II, when they fought against Japan and Germany.
Indeed, the Cold War between the Soviet Union and America influenced the United States’ domestic and foreign strategies for more than fifty years (Johnson 10). Actually, policymakers of the United States planned naval movements to promote military power in order to restrict Soviet Union’s domination in the entire world. Moreover, the Cold War was based on social, military, and economic conflicts between the Soviet Union and America.
Johnson viewed that the Cold War began in 1945 when American President Truman initiated an anti-communist strategy in the United States (11). Indeed, “the Cold War was battled through economic confrontation, military rivalry and diplomatic arguments. The Cold War was caused economic, political and ideological disagreement between the Soviet Union and America after the World War II” (Johnson 11).
Ideological cause
According to Johnson, the Soviet Union and America were two countries that practiced two contradicting ways of governing (12). The American government was selected through free election. Indeed, the government of the United States allowed its citizens to hold political parties in order to advocate for their political rights.
Furthermore, American people had freedom of speech, media and assembly. On the other hand, Russian government was established through communism. In fact, Russian people were not allowed to hold political parties. There was no freedom of assembly, media and speech in the Soviet Union.
Economic cause
Johnson explained that America intended to embrace free trade in the entire world (15). The Soviet Union focused to protect their territory from international business transaction. Actually, the Soviet Union felt that trade transaction with America and other western countries would negatively influence the Soviet Union totalitarian strength (Johnson 18).
According to Johnson, the Soviet Union and America shared power when European influence collapsed after World War II. Indeed, the Soviet Union and the United States intended to dominate against one another, therefore, confrontations were unavoidable (19).
According to Johnson, the President of America, Truman, established democratic policy which was opposed to the Soviet Union’s communism (14). In fact, President Truman encouraged human right and freedom in the United States. Actually, American government became aware that European prosperity would play an important role against Russian communism.
In this case, Marshall George (the American secretary of the state) advocated for European prosperity by encouraging European nations to collaborate together for strengthening economic progress (Johnson 20).
Indeed, America intended to offer financial support to such countries but the Soviet Union declined American support. Both Truman’s policy and Marshall’s strategy did not impressed communism of the Soviet Union, and this led to conflict between the Soviet Union and America.
According to Janiewski, President Eisenhower Dwight warned American citizens about what he perceived would be a hindrance to American democracy (2). Indeed, President Eisenhower termed it as an industrial-military complex that was formation of immense military arms (Janiewski 4). President Eisenhower advised the American government to protect the country from unjustified influence of military arms.
In fact, President Eisenhower intended to contradict immense military extension. President Eisenhower was concerned with Russian involvement with arms race and its influence to other nations. President Eisenhower intensely disliked military invasion as a way of solving confrontations. President Eisenhower advised American citizens to embrace decent and insight policies in handling differences.
He felt that if arms and military industry were under authority, then they would hinder democracy in America. President Eisenhower recalled how sophisticated arms used during the Cold War between the Soviet Union and America encouraged technology weaponry.
Manufacturing of arms was more rampant and specialized. President Eisenhower looked forward to cut budgetary allocation of military services as a way to regulate rise of industrial-military complex.
Works Cited
Janiewski, Dolores E. “Eisenhower’s Paradoxical Relationship with the Military-Industrial Complex”. Presidential Studies Quarterly 41 (2011): 13-20. Print.
Johnson, Michel P. Reading the American Past, Volume II. From 1865: Selected Historical Documents. 4th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008. Print.