Question

Who is to blame for the escalation of the Cold War, and how did it affect U.S. politically, economically, and socially?

Answer 1

Both the countries are to be blamed for it but US shares the major portion. Though differences of principle between the USA and the USSR became the foundation of cold war, it was US which ultimately decided to fight the communism both economically and politically. US lead many wars and even supported tyrant dictators so as to minimize communism’s sphere of influence, the Vietnam war being the prominent. Also recent findings have revealed that USSR leadership were not in favor of confrontation with the US. As a propaganda US security agencies encouraged Hollywood to produce anticommunist movies which led to the rooting out of some communists. Many of the people were sacked, blacklisted, and their civil rights were violated. One of the negatives aspects of the cold war was racial inequality.

                                                             Politically US tried to maximize its military strength by spending hefty amounts on research and infrastructure. It massive dollars improve its military might. To stimulate massive economic growth through tax cuts and deregulation by president Reagan. It led to imbibition of patriotic duty to buy consumer goods by the Americans which helped the economy to grow rapidly. the U.S. To suppress the Soviet threat and to achieve political, economic and social world dominance, the United States created a range of global institutes like the Bretton Woods institutions.