THE COLD WAR

BEGINNING

• The Cold War originated after World War II ended in 1945
• U.S and USSR's different political and economic systems couldn't be compromised
• Resulted from deep-seated animosities due to competing ideologies
• The U.S and USSR were referred as the term "superpowers" during the Cold War
• It was called "Cold War" because there were actually no armed conflicts and fights

ECONOMIC SYSTEMS

• USSR: Communism; U.S: Capitalism
• Capitalism committed to liberalism and promoted property rights and free markets.
• U.S believed in the involvement of gov. in the economy but supported civil rights
• With a reformed communism under Khrushchev, USSR aimed for balanced growth
• Khrushchev hoped for economic productivity and production of material wealth

U.S FOREIGN POLICY

• Containment was a U.S strategy used to stop further spread of communism
• It denied Moscow opportunities to expand and spread its influence
• Provided economic and political aids to possible preys of USSR
• In response, the USSR supported wars for colonial independence
• Russia also strived to achieve military equality with the U.S

KITCHEN DEBATE

• Khrushchev vs. Nixon
• Showed how the USSR lacked material wealth, leisure, and consumer goods
• Showed how U.S' postwar economic prosperity served people well
• Caused by the increasing significance of consumerism
• Demonstrated contrasting economic and social conditions of two superpowers