Changes

{{War

{{War

| image      =

| image      =Cold war europe military alliances map.png

| conflict    =  

| conflict    = Divided Europe between West(blue) and East (red)

| date        = 1946-1991

| date        = 1946-1991

| location    = Worldwide (especially in Europe and Asia)

| location    = Worldwide (especially in Europe and Asia)

[[File:Berlin Wall 1979 02.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Berlin Wall]] with behind the Brandenburger Tor.]]

[[File:Berlin Wall 1979 02.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Berlin Wall]] with behind the Brandenburger Tor.]]

Although there was no direct fighting between the superpowers, each country was involved in medium-scale proxy wars, most notably in [[Korea]], [[Vietnam]] and [[Afghanistan]]. The most tense moment between the two main powers came in October 1962 during the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], which ended without escalation into warfare.

Although there was no direct fighting between the superpowers, each country was involved in medium-scale proxy wars, most notably in [[Korea]], [[Vietnam]] and [[Afghanistan]]. The most tense moment between the two main powers came in October 1962 during the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], which ended without escalation into warfare.

 

The Cold War lead to the development of the First-World (United States and its allies) Second-World (Soviet Union and its allies) and Third-World (countries not allied with either superpower and with no nuclear programs) system of classifying countries.  "Third-World" is the only term in this system still commonly used today, and it typically denotes an unindustrialized or still industrialising country.

The Cold War lead to the development of the First-World (United States and its allies) Second-World (Soviet Union and its allies) and Third-World (countries not allied with either superpower and with no nuclear programs) system of classifying countries.  "Third-World" is the only term in this system still commonly used today, and it typically denotes an unindustrialized or still industrialising country.

The strategy of isolationism had failed by 1941; the strategy of détente(or friendship) with Communism had failed by 1948.  Some argued for a strategy of direct confrontation or "[[Rollback]]"—but this was considered too dangerous, especially when the Soviets tested their first nuclear weapon in 1950.   

The strategy of isolationism had failed by 1941; the strategy of détente(or friendship) with Communism had failed by 1948.  Some argued for a strategy of direct confrontation or "[[Rollback]]"—but this was considered too dangerous, especially when the Soviets tested their first nuclear weapon in 1950.   

Washington decided on a strategy of containment, as embodied in the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] ('''NATO''') military alliance set up in 1949.  The [[NSC-68]] was a secret 1950 plan adopted at the highest levels of the American government to set the overall strategy, and a further step was taken in 1951 with the establishment of the Mutual Security Agency to coordinate U.S. economic, technical and military aid abroad.  

Washington decided on a strategy of containment, as embodied in the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] ('''NATO''') military alliance set up in 1949.  The [[NSC-68]] was a secret 1950 plan adopted at the highest levels of the American government to set the overall strategy, and a further step was taken in 1951 with the establishment of the Mutual Security Agency to coordinate U.S. economic, technical and military aid abroad.  

In late 1950 China intervened unexpectedly, driving the UN forces all the way back to South Korea. The fighting stabilized close to the original 38th parallel that had divided North and South. MacArthur wanted to continue the rollback strategy but Truman had decided on a new policy of containment, allowing North Korea to persist. Truman's dismissal of MacArthur in April 1951 sparked a vehement debate on American Far Eastern policy, as Truman was blamed for a high-cost stalemate with 37,000 Americans killed and over 100,000 wounded.

In late 1950 China intervened unexpectedly, driving the UN forces all the way back to South Korea. The fighting stabilized close to the original 38th parallel that had divided North and South. MacArthur wanted to continue the rollback strategy but Truman had decided on a new policy of containment, allowing North Korea to persist. Truman's dismissal of MacArthur in April 1951 sparked a vehement debate on American Far Eastern policy, as Truman was blamed for a high-cost stalemate with 37,000 Americans killed and over 100,000 wounded.

==Conflicts==

==Conflicts==