Cold War Containment Policy

Study Notes

Introduced by George Kennan in 1947, a key component of the US foreign policy during the Cold War
Aimed to prevent the spread of communism by supporting anti-communist governments and movements worldwide
Implemented through economic and military aid, political pressure, and covert operations
Key features:
- Encirclement of the Soviet Union through a network of alliances and military bases
- Support for anti-communist regimes, even if authoritarian
- Economic aid to developing countries to prevent Soviet influence

Wars fought between surrogate forces, often in developing countries, with backing from the US and Soviet Union
Characterized by indirect involvement, with both superpowers providing financial, military, and logistical support
Examples:
- Korean War (1950-1953): US-backed South Korea vs. Soviet-backed North Korea
- Vietnam War (1955-1975): US-backed South Vietnam vs. Soviet-backed North Vietnam
- Afghan War (1979-1989): US-backed mujahideen vs. Soviet occupation
- Angolan Civil War (1975-2002): US-backed UNITA vs. Soviet-backed MPLA

The concept of mutually assured destruction (MAD) as a deterrent to nuclear war
Both the US and Soviet Union developed massive nuclear arsenals, ensuring that a nuclear attack would result in devastating retaliation
Key features:
- Massive retaliation doctrine: the threat of nuclear response to a conventional attack
- Mutually assured destruction (MAD): the idea that a nuclear war would result in catastrophic consequences for both sides
- Détente and arms control agreements, such as SALT I (1972) and START I (1991), aimed to reduce nuclear stockpiles and prevent an arms race

Introduced by George Kennan in 1947 as a key component of US foreign policy during the Cold War
Aimed to prevent the spread of communism by supporting anti-communist governments and movements worldwide
Implemented through economic and military aid, political pressure, and covert operations
Features encirclement of the Soviet Union through a network of alliances and military bases
Supported anti-communist regimes, even if authoritarian, and provided economic aid to developing countries to prevent Soviet influence

Wars fought between surrogate forces, often in developing countries, with backing from the US and Soviet Union
Characterized by indirect involvement, with both superpowers providing financial, military, and logistical support
Examples include:
- Korean War (1950-1953): US-backed South Korea vs. Soviet-backed North Korea
- Vietnam War (1955-1975): US-backed South Vietnam vs. Soviet-backed North Vietnam
- Afghan War (1979-1989): US-backed mujahideen vs. Soviet occupation
- Angolan Civil War (1975-2002): US-backed UNITA vs. Soviet-backed MPLA

Concept of mutually assured destruction (MAD) as a deterrent to nuclear war
Both the US and Soviet Union developed massive nuclear arsenals, ensuring that a nuclear attack would result in devastating retaliation
Key features:
- Massive retaliation doctrine: threat of nuclear response to a conventional attack
- Mutually assured destruction (MAD): idea that a nuclear war would result in catastrophic consequences for both sides
- Détente and arms control agreements, such as SALT I (1972) and START I (1991), aimed to reduce nuclear stockpiles and prevent an arms race