Stabilising factor in the cold war from 1949 to 1963 Essay Example for Free

Stabilising factor in the cold war from 1949 to 1963 Essay To what extent was the nuclear arms race a more stabilising factor in the cold war from 1949 to 1963? From the period of 1949 up until 1963 saw increasing developments in nuclear technology by both the two superpowers, the USA and USSR. The race meant that both superpowers aimed to match each other and even gain the upper hand in terms of nuclear missile technology. Nuclear arms were seen as a form of scare tactic against the other superpower as both felt threatened by each others ideological capability. It was also used as a form of defence mechanism in case of future attack however, the power and destruction of the weapons in which these countries created would have proved fatal not only for the opposing country but for the world. The nuclear arms race has been argued that it stabilised relations between the countries especially after the Cuban missile crisis although there is much evidence that proves otherwise, in which relations between the soviets and the United States were as tense as ever. On the 6th of August 1949, the USSR tested the first atomic bomb in the north of what would be now Russia. This was to start a fury of nuclear testing between the nations. However the first testing was actually in 1945 when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing thousands of civilians. This immediately threatened not only Japan, the enemy of the United States during WW2 but also close neighbour, the USSR. Stalin saw the highly powerful bombs as force of power over the world. The United States showed the might and strength of their military weaponry but it made relations between the two superpowers very unsettling. It could be seen in this period, as a settling factor with the policy of Brinksmanship. The policy was formed by Eisenhower, the President from 1953 to 1961 and John Foster Dulles, the Secretary of State. It was a policy of intensely threatening the opposing side with action without delivering the action. In this case the United States were threatening the USSR with Nuclear action. It was a very dangerous policy as the name suggests it would go right to the brink of Nuclear War. This was very much true in the Cuban Missile crisis when the Soviets had nuclear weapons based in Cuba ready to target America, while the Americans had missiles based in Turkey, also ready to attack. Both superpowers were not only within each others sphere of influence, but they were also armed too. If the opposition was not backing down it would lead to two options, to either reveal the false threats or go to war. This policy however was used by both parties which in essence mad the whole of the period of time a very tense time. The false threats could be seen as a stabilising factor as both parties were not going to use the weapons, only as a scare tactic which would lead to an increase in communication between the countries. On the other side, threatening to destroy the opposing superpower could be seen as unsettling the relations even more than it already was. M.A.D. (Mutually Assured Destruction) could also be a Stabilising factor in this period as it caused both sides to rethink their strategies. Both sides had enough nuclear weaponry to annihilate the other and to even counter-strike when hit first. Both sides knew that using this strategy would prove too costly so for their own need they needed another approach. A more flexible approach in which the sides would use smaller, targeted missiles achieving to hit a specific area would be more worthwhile as it would limit the amount of action and devastation that the arms could bring. This agreement to use another approach to Brinksmanship in which it brought threatening words to the negotiations would be another step towards a more steady relationship between the soviets and the U.S. The Leaders of both sides also played a huge significance in terms of the nuclear arms race. The soviet leader Khrushchev who served from 1953 to 1964 was a very unpredictable character. This had made relations with the United States very unsettling especially when he possessed nuclear arms. America was desperate to initiate some kind of direct contact. This direct contact was made when the hot line telephone link was created. This could be seen as a sign of a more settled relationship during the nuclear arms race. It was a form of direct contact between the President, which at the time was Nixon and the Soviet Leader Brezhnev. Created in 1963, its aim was prevent a misunderstanding between the nations with the topic of nuclear arms. It was successful as it gave a quick response to any threats the Soviets made especially when the Soviets pulled out of Cuba, the United States were unsure of what the soviet would do next. The Nuclear Test Ban treaty of 1963 was another sign that the nuclear arms race was a stabilising factor as it banned testing of nuclear weapons above water. This was a huge significance as the previous decade consisted of both superpowers testing and improving nuclear weaponry. The main reason for this was the fact that they got too close in the Cuban missile crisis. They were literally hours from nuclear war. However there other factor that played into the formation of the treaty. The Soviet Union were in economic turmoil especially when they were paying almost a third of their GMP on arms. America was also in turmoil especially with the Vietnam War heating up and domestic issue of civil rights. In conclusion, after looking at the period of 1949-1963, the nuclear arms race was a stabilising factor in the cold war although things could have been the complete opposite. The risk of using Brinksmanship could have ended in war and eventual devastation of the world. Both countries, for their own sake needed to come to some agreement to limit the arms. By using the hot line telephone link both superpowers could prevent each other with great speed which helped misunderstanding especially when Khrushchev had a very unpredictable mind. The test ban treaty of 63 also helped limit the use of unsettling use of the weapons but it dragged other powerful nations such as China and France into the mix when they disagreed against the treaty.

Flaws In Germinal :: essays research papers

The Flaws in Germinal At first glance, one might say the capitalist system is righteous and it leads to more productivity, but upon discreet examination, the system has numerous flaws. As we discussed in class, one of the main flaws was the inability of the workers to advance themselves in society beyond the point of keeping food in their stomachs. One generation after another follow each other down below into the mines without cessation. First and foremost the company needs to insure that all members of the mine town have enough to eat, enough to wear, and a roof over their head. The company can possibly provide clothing and food through a ration-based system that guarantees the people will not die of starvation or frostbite. These are necessities that the company should provide even if they are in debt. The workers should also receive a salary based on performance and profits of the company. This spending money can be used for amenities or the worker can save it if he or she one day desires to move away and attempt to start a better life somewhere else. The root of the problem lies with the education the residents of the mine town receive. Children as young as seven or eight are being sent down to work in the mines when they should be starting school. If families are unable to pay for schooling a type of â€Å"indentured worker† system might work out where children can attend school for free if they agree to provide the company with a year(s) work when they become of age to work. That also brings up the issue of child labor. Children should not work until at least 16 and even then they should not be responsible for dangerous and important jobs such as securing the limbering. Another important issue concerns the rights of the workers. Workers’ unions should be set up and all should join to make sure that the company does not use and abuse the workers. Unions should unite all workers with the same profession across the region. A strike when carried out effectively will cripple the company and force them to pay higher wages.

Miniver Cheevy Essay

In the poem â€Å"Miniver Cheevy† the author emphasizes the problems of the main character. The poem shows Miniver’s desire to have been born in medieval times. His longing is changed to joy when he thinks about this period in history â€Å"The vision of a warrior bold / Would set him dancing. † (Lines 7-8) As the reader becomes acquainted with Miniver, he sees him as a romantic daydreamer with the fantasy of being a knight. He hates the fact he was born in this day and age. He even hates the day he was born, â€Å"He wept that he was ever born, / And he had reasons. (3-4) The author feels that Miniver is torn between reality and fantasy. He knows that Miniver is not satisfied with his life. He describes Miniver as yearning for the past, â€Å"Miniver sighed for what was not, / And dreamed, and rested from his labors; /He dreamed of Thebes and Camelot, /And Priam’s neighbors. † (9-12) The author knows that Miniver wishes to live in medieval times or some other glorious period in history. On the surface, both the characters Richard Cory and Miniver Cheevy seem to be simple and easily understood. However, both are complex individuals with demons that drive them. They are similar in their dissatisfaction with their lives. They are different in the methods that they use to face their dissatisfaction, but both characters have a void in their lives that is the root of their discontent. This void compels them to partake in actions that are detrimental to their lives. Richard attempts to solve his problem when he commits suicide. Evidently his wealth is not fulfilling enough to overcome his inner turmoil. His mannerisms in public portray him as man content with himself and his wealth. In fact, the townspeople long to be like him. In fine – we thought that he was everything/To make us wish that we were in his place† (lines 11-12) His demons overwhelm him, and he is sick of hiding behind the guise of a prosperous man who seems to be content. In the end Richard takes his life and ends his delusion with society. Unlike Richard Cory, Miniver Cheevy, chooses a different route to end his discontent. His soul aches to live in a different time and place. He tries to resolve this pain by detaching himself from reality. He daydreams of a more romantic era and the gallant people who live there. Miniver loved the days of old/ When swords were bright and steeds were prancing†. (5-6) He seems to do most of his daydreaming while drinking. His drinking does not lead to a solution. Instead, his life is a continuous cycle of discomfort and pain that longs for a different life. He attempts to drown this pain with drinking, â€Å"Miniver Cheevy, born too late, /Scratched his head and kept on thinking; /Miniver coughed, and called it fate, /And kept on drinking. † (29-32) Miniver’s problems only get worse. He fuels the fire with his consumption of alcohol, and the cycle begins again.

An Empire Divided - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1129 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2019/04/26 Category History Essay Level High school Tags: American Revolution Essay Did you like this example? Introduction In the book, An Empire Divided: The American Revolution and the British Caribbean, the author Andrew Jackson OShaughnessy takes up a relatively unexplored topic from the early history of the United States and the Caribbean. He was not hesitant in letting the reader know the uniqueness of his book several times. Andrew OShaughnessy studied at Bradford School as well as the Oriel College; for his higher education, he went to the prestigious University of Oxford. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "An Empire Divided" essay for you Create order He has a long and distinguished career in teaching and has been in the faculty of Eton College, Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He has been a professor in the American History in the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and been a chair of History Department. In this book, Andrew OShaughnessy gives very convincing arguments in favor of his stance with solid literary and historical evidences. This is why it makes the book a convincing set of literature on the American Revolution especially how the British Caribbean affected it and vice versa. Content The book is written to explore the socio-political realities surrounding the mainland US, how they affected the American Revolution and in turn how the surrounding regions like the Caribbean were affected by the revolution. The author is focused on the common things that the mainland USA and the Caribbean shared as well as the differences which existed between the two regions. The overwhelming commonalities didnt trigger the Caribbean States to take an active part in the rebellion. In the book, the author gives many reasons for the inactivity of the British Caribbean; for example, their relative seclusion from the mainland America, the naval dominance of the British around the islands, their dependence on trade as well as their political dependence on the British fearing the inner possibility of slave revolts. Thesis The thesis of the book is about the role of the British Caribbean and how it was affected by the revolution in turn. The central theme of the book is the fact that the British Caribbean had the same and possibly more incentives to rebel against the British just like their continental counterparts in the mainland US; however, they still didnt go for it. All the conditions in the thirteen colonies that rebelled existed in the Caribbean as well but they seemed to be passive in their bid against the British rule. The factors which contributed to this behavior were the key focus of the writer in the book. The author has been so convincing that it is hard to disagree on most of his points and therefore, I support the author on most of the points. There has been a bigger slave population in the Caribbean and the fear of a revolt had always been a reality. The geographical nature of the Caribbean also made them more dependent on the British. This is the reason why even having the same and possible reasons to revolt, they did not take up the arms against the British. Main body The book has been quite convincing throughout from the start to its end. The key focus of the book, as discussed before, is how the American Revolution was affected by the behavior of the British Caribbean. The author states that the inclusion of the Caribbean in the Revolution would have helped the continental cause and it would have considerably affected the British interests in the region. However, as the time would prove, they were less enthusiastic about the revolution as compared to their counterparts in mainland America. The surprising thing that the author points out is that the British colonies in the Caribbean had the same socio-political dynamics as they were in the thirteen colonies that rose up against the British but the still they refused to join the rebel cause. It was surprising for me as I didnt know a lot about that before but the author puts it so skillfully that it was easy to get his point and get a clear picture on this vast subject. OShaughnessy gave many reasons that could have led to this behavior on part of the Caribbean States. He provided multiple literary pieces of evidence on the subject, especially how the previous researches had taken up the subjects. There have been many explanations given by contemporary historians on why the British Caribbean didnt join the rebels, and the author cites them appropriately. It is always a sign of a comprehensive research if the opinions of the multiple authors are also presented appropriately. However, it was also noted by OShaughnessy that most of the researches on the topic had been incomplete and mere speculations. In this book, the author aims to fill that gap and tries to understand the causes with more clarity and research. This is another good thing about the book; I think it only makes it more credible in its own right on this particular issue. Several points that the author makes which he thinks explain the causes of the inactivity from the part of the British Caribbean was due to the fact that they depended on the British trade. Additionally, the naval dominance of the British navy was so considerable that it would have been difficult for them to successfully rebel. Secondly, the internal social dynamics of the Caribbean were vastly different from that of America. There was a larger slave population in the Caribbean than it was in North America; this was one of the reasons why they could not afford the risk of facing an external threat. The one thing that I think the book lacked is that it lacked the appreciation of deep military and political dynamics. For example, although the author does mention that the British Navy was one of the biggest deterrents for the Caribbean colonies to join the rebels, I think it was insufficient. I think it was one of the biggest causes of the passive behavior of the Caribbean States. Conclusion The book has been written very flawlessly and the research, references to the contemporary literature, as well as the arguments all converged to make it very convincing. The author skillfully puts forth his arguments stating that the British Caribbean had all the reasons to rebel against the British colonial rule but didnt do it because of the few overlying political and social dynamics. The fears of revolt from its slave population as well as their reliance on sea trade made it difficult for them to challenge the British authority. The British dominance of the seas was also a significant deterrent in this regard. The island nature of the region and the demographic and social realities was what made them more obliging to the British. There were a very few points that I disagree on but those still dont make the book less credible.