Cold War Hot Spots Project
The levels of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union varied over time. Some confrontations such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, raised tensions to extremely high levels; it could have easily erupted in war. Other individual events weren't nearly so hot, but during the 1940s and 1950s, a lot of events happened during a short period. The frequency of events increased the overall tension.
The levels of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union varied over time. Some confrontations such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, raised tensions to extremely high levels; it could have easily erupted in war. Other individual events weren't nearly so hot, but during the 1940s and 1950s, a lot of events happened during a short period. The frequency of events increased the overall tension.
But the Cold War wasn't "fought" in the US or the Soviet Union, it was fought in Third World Countries, such as Vietnam, Korea, Cuba, Afghanistan, Iran, Nicaragua and Greece. "The Third World consisted of developing nations, often newly independent, who were not aligned with either superpower" (McDougal Littell). These countries served as the battleground for the two superpowers, and the people of these countries were the real victims of the Cold War. For them, the war wasn't a cold one; it was extremely hot. These conflicts were called surrogate wars or proxy wars. "The word surrogate means substitute. Although the United States and the Soviet Union did not fight each other directly, they fought indirectly by backing opposing sides in many smaller conflicts" (McDougal Littell).
But the Cold War wasn't "fought" in the US or the Soviet Union, it was fought in Third World Countries, such as Vietnam, Korea, Cuba, Afghanistan, Iran, Nicaragua and Greece. "The Third World consisted of developing nations, often newly independent, who were not aligned with either superpower" (McDougal Littell). These countries served as the battleground for the two superpowers, and the people of these countries were the real victims of the Cold War. For them, the war wasn't a cold one; it was extremely hot. These conflicts were called surrogate wars or proxy wars. "The word surrogate means substitute. Although the United States and the Soviet Union did not fight each other directly, they fought indirectly by backing opposing sides in many smaller conflicts" (McDougal Littell).
Other hot spots emerged during the Cold War, as countries under the control and influence of the Soviet Union wanted to break free of communism. Hungary and Czechoslovakia were both satellite nations. According to ABC-CLIO, "A satellite state is a country that is under the domination or influence of another. The term was used to describe the status of the East European states during the Cold War." The Soviet Union, however, did not want to allow these countries to win self determination, "the right of a people to decide on their own political affiliation without the outside influence of other people, groups, or institutions" (ABC-CLIO), and used violence to stop independence movements.
Other hot spots emerged during the Cold War, as countries under the control and influence of the Soviet Union wanted to break free of communism. Hungary and Czechoslovakia were both satellite nations. According to ABC-CLIO, "A satellite state is a country that is under the domination or influence of another. The term was used to describe the status of the East European states during the Cold War." The Soviet Union, however, did not want to allow these countries to win self determination, "the right of a people to decide on their own political affiliation without the outside influence of other people, groups, or institutions" (ABC-CLIO), and used violence to stop independence movements.
The class will be broken into nine groups. Each group will be assigned to one of these Cold War "Hot Spots": Germany,Vietnam, Korea, Cuba, Afghanistan,Cambodia, Iran, Nicaragua, Israel/Palestine, and Congo.
The class will be broken into nine groups. Each group will be assigned to one of these Cold War "Hot Spots": Germany,Vietnam, Korea, Cuba, Afghanistan,Cambodia, Iran, Nicaragua, Israel/Palestine, and Congo.
