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IB HISTORY COLD WAR SUMMARY 2020/2021
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IB HISTORY COLD WAR SUMMARY GUIDE -COMBINED VIEWS ON VIETNAM EVENTS
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How significant was Vietnam in the development of the Cold War?The events in Vietnam was relatively significant because the US decided to take firm action
against the spread of communism in Asia. They came up with the Domino theory which clearly
reflected their intentions in Asia. If Vietnam went communist, then Laos and other nations would
follow suit. But even more significant was their failure. The attempt to block communism failed
militarily and politically.
Compare and Contrast the part played by Korea and Cuba in the Cold War.
Castro seized power in Cuba in 1959, and later declared himself a Communist. Main events
were; Bay of Pigs, 1961; Missile Crisis, 1962; support for communism and revolutions world
idea; anti USA. Korea: the country was divided at the 38th parallel and war began when the
North invaded the South and ended in 1953 with the territorial position unchanged. Points for
comparison might be: both used by superpowers to attempt to weaken the other, both Cuba and
North Korea promoted aggressive Communist policies; both were anti USA, subjected to US
attacks and increased Cold War tension.
Points for contrast: Cuba was near the USA, Korea far; US deployed US troops under the UN in
Korea but not in Cuba, although the US supported the Bay of Pigs, which was undertaken by
Cuban exiles; time scale and extent of activity; fighting varied; missile crisis nearly led to a
major confrontation and fear of a third world war (therefore settled quickly?); Korea was the first
“hot” war (although Soviet troops were not engaged officially) Other conclusions and analysis
could be drawn from both.
Analyze the reason for, and consequences of, the breakdown of Sino-Soviet relations in the
1950s and 1960s.
China and the USSR were once allies but various events led to their split in 1962. Starting in the
1950s, Mao (leader of PRC) and Stalin had respect for one another. After Stalin’s death, Mao
sought to be the senior advisor of Communism but was ignored by Khrushchev. In 1956, Mao
was infuriated by Khrushchev’s contempt for Stalin. Later, the Soviets did not honour their
commitment to help China develop nuclear weapons. In 1962, Mao criticized Khrushchev for
backing down in the Cuban Missile Crisis and Khrushchev responded by declaring that Mao’s
policies would have led to nuclear war.
By 1970, Mao had to deal with the USSR, US and internal disorder. He decided to open dialogue
with the US and confront the USSR. The USSR and PCR both attempted to develop relations
with the US and this led to a triangular relationship.
In what ways, and for what reasons, did the Vietnam War affect superpower relations?
Well, as you probably know, the Soviet Union and the United States were both DEEPLY
embroiled in the Cold War at the time. They fought a few battles upfront, but mostly fought so-
called "Puppet Wars", in which Superpower A would assist Side 1 and Superpower B would
assist Side 2, and thus never really enter a war. In this case, A was The Soviet Union and B was
the US, with 1 and 2 being No. and So. Vietnam, respectively. As the U.S. aided South Vietnam
with troops, munitions, tanks, etc.; the USSR would send their supplies, troops, et al. into No.
Vietnam AND So. Vietnam, where they assisted a movement of Communist rebels called the
Vietcong (but of course you knew that). This puppet war was really a showdown of Russian and
American interests, the winner forwarding their cause in Asia. The USSR won this war, leaving
the US embarrassed in the public eye. This caused the tensions between Soviet and American
to increase dramatically. In fact, some claim that if not for peace talks later on, these two
superpowers would have destroyed each other in full out nuclear war. I hope this answer helps!
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