The History of the United States, 2nd Edition Season 1 Episode 70 The Cold War

The History of the United States, 2nd Edition season 1 episode 70, titled "The Cold War," delves into the tension and competition between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II. The episode explores the roots of the Cold War, beginning with ideological differences between the two superpowers. The episode explains how the United States believed in democracy, individual rights, and capitalism, while the Soviet Union believed in communism, collective ownership, and centralized planning.

The episode goes on to describe how the Cold War intensified as the Soviet Union began to spread its ideology and sphere of influence throughout Eastern Europe. This led to the establishment of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which was a collective defense alliance formed among the United States, Canada, and several European nations in order to counter the Soviet threat. The Soviet Union responded by forming its own alliance, the Warsaw Pact, with Eastern European nations that were under its influence.

The episode also discusses the various proxy wars that were fought between the United States and the Soviet Union, such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War. It explains how these conflicts were not fought directly between the two superpowers but instead were fought through third parties. The episode details the reasons for these wars and the impact they had on the world stage.

One of the key figures in the Cold War, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, is also discussed in the episode. Viewers learn about his efforts to reform the Soviet economy and his controversial decision to place missiles in Cuba, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

The episode concludes by examining the impact of the Cold War on United States history. Viewers learn about the role of the military-industrial complex in shaping American foreign policy and how the Cold War influenced cultural attitudes in the United States. The episode also touches on the end of the Cold War, which was marked by the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Overall, "The Cold War" provides an in-depth look into one of the most significant periods of American history and its impact on the world stage. Through interviews with experts and historical footage, viewers gain a greater understanding of the events that shaped the world as it is today.