Question

Select one Cold War event that we studied during units 1-3, then answer each part of the question. Cold War Events: a) Use 3 or more sentences to describe the event. b) Identify whether this was a victory for communism (the East), capitalism (the West), or neither. c) Use 5 sentences to explain your reasoning for (b)

Answer 1

The Cuban Missile Crisis, a significant event during the cold war, was neither victory for capitalism nor communism but a mutual test for both ideologies. It ended with compromise on both sides, fortifying diplomatic communications afterward.

Step-by-step explanation:

One significant event during the Cold War was the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. This incident involved the discovery of Soviet nuclear weapons in Cuba by the United States, which led to an intense 13-day confrontation between the two superpowers. This crisis is considered one of the closest instances where full-scale nuclear war could have occurred during the cold war.

This event can be seen as neither a victory for communism nor capitalism, as it eventually ended with compromise on both sides. It was, however, a considerable test for both ideologies in terms of diplomatic relations and brinkmanship.

The Cuban Missile Crisis ended when the U.S agreed not to invade Cuba, and the Soviet Union agreed to remove their missiles from the island. Had the crisis escalated, it would have led to catastrophic consequences, which could be considered a mutual failure for both ideologies. However, the crisis also brought about the establishment of the Moscow-Washington hotline, which improved diplomatic communications and can therefore be seen as beneficial to both sides, albeit in a tense context.

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