Cold War Ideology and Policies - Essay Example

During the international conflict, known forever as the Cold War, the two ideological forces were locked in a bitter struggle for global domination. Although they were once Allies during the conflict with Nazi Germany, the United States and the Soviet Union became enemies during the Cold War. The conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union continued until the collapse of the latter country in 1991. Accordingly, for nearly sixty years, the world economic system was characterized by ideological conflict and mutual distrust.

The Western forces of capitalism and democracy were headed by the United States and NATO while the Eastern countries of communism and state authoritarianism were headed by the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. A global balance of power between the two ideological systems emerged and the United States sought to contain communism and formed alliances to ensure that that communism would not spread around the world. Cuba was the only communist country in the Western hemisphere and the Cuban Missile Crisis was one of the most dramatic events of the twentieth century.

American interventions in Korea as well as in Vietnam represented the desire of the United States to contain communism throughout the world.