Velasco 1

Xeryus Velasco
Ms. Tourtellotte / Ms. Ellis
CP U.S History ; Per.4
17 March 2016
Americas Bringing in some Heat into the Cold War

The mid twentieth century is perceived as a radical shift in the world's politics, as two
great nations had fought over the ideals and concepts of how a country should be governed. At
this time, the second world war was over and the people of all countries were in celebration of
Germanys great defeat. However, one country in particular sought to take advantage of the
post war torn European countries by spreading its ideals across a poverty stricken populace that
was in need of guidance. The Soviet Union had planned to diffuse the concept of Communism
in an effort to gain allies and grow political graps over smaller nations, thus becoming a titan of
military power. As a result of this, the Red Scare began in the United States as its citizens were
fearful of the communists exponential growth in size with a potential for a third world war. During
this time, America's values were that of liberty, capitalism and democracy; ideas that greatly
contrasted to the soviets. Consequently, America sought out to contain communism around the
globe in order to protect its morals and values from the foreign nation. However, this would be
no easy task as the Soviet Union was immense and the United States had just recently exited
the second world war.

The greatest example of the US battle against communism comes from document,
Soviet tanks in Budapest, Hungary as it illustrates the control that the Russians had over the
country of Hungary. The image depicts massive tanks strolling down an intersection as people
climbing atop of the tanks and attack the individuals who piloted the machines.The context

Velasco 2
behind the picture is that the Soviet Union had overthrown the local government and
implemented communism to keep the people at bay. Later in 1956, the United States had sent
over moral support in an effort to persuade the people of Hungary to fight against their
oppressors. This idea came to a riveting success as the entire country had an large uprising
against the communist government as citizens released the Soviets grasp upon the country by
destroying tanks. Another great example of the US involvement in the war comes from the
document, Prague Spring: Soviet troops in Prague, Czechoslovakia as it illustrates the
uprising that occurred after the Soviet Union had taken over the country and instituted a
Communistic government. The background behind the picture is that the Russians had captured
the president and replaced parts of the government with Communist propaganda and imagery
which can be seen in the document Communist Coup detat in Czechoslovakia. The document
shows a poster of Joseph Stalin (Ruler of the Soviet Union) and the Czech president standing
together in harmony in order to give the general public a sense of security with the change in
government. However, the United States had brought the truth to light and revealed the
president's capture to the people of Czechoslovakia. In turn, a revolution began and the general
populous fought back against the Soviet Union, This event, like many others during the world
war, reveals the US goal of containing Communism and how the country was willing to help out
even the smallest dog nations or the sake of the world's security.

In conclusion, the US had stayed true to its values during the cold war, as it continued to
spread its ideals of democracy across war torn Europe. This can be seen in how the United
States had sent it support to countries that had fallen captive to the Soviet Union, no matter the
size or economic power. As a result, it becomes apparent that the long term significances of
America's actions has set itself apart from Russia during the war as the country did not spread it
ideals in an attempt at gaining political power.

Velasco 3