3.1 Ideological differences between East and West

The Cold War divided Europe into two opposing camps: capitalist democracies in the West and communist totalitarian states in the East. This split was driven by fundamental differences in political systems, economic models, and ideologies that shaped the post-World War II world.

The Iron Curtain symbolized this divide, restricting movement and ideas between East and West. Western nations promoted free markets and democracy, while Eastern Bloc countries embraced state control and communism, setting the stage for decades of tension and conflict.

Political Systems

Capitalism and Democracy

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• Capitalism promotes private ownership of means of production and economic freedom
• Individuals and businesses make economic decisions based on market forces
• Democracy emphasizes individual rights, free elections, and representative government
• Citizens participate in political decision-making through voting and civic engagement
• Capitalist democracies (United States, United Kingdom) combine economic and political freedoms

Communism and Totalitarianism

• Communism advocates for collective ownership of means of production and wealth redistribution
• State controls economic planning and resource allocation in communist systems
• Totalitarianism concentrates power in a single party or leader, suppressing individual rights
• Government exerts strict control over citizens' lives, including media and education
• Communist regimes (Soviet Union, China) often employed totalitarian methods to maintain power

Economic Models

Free Market Economy

• Prices determined by supply and demand without government intervention
• Private businesses compete for consumers and resources
• Profit motive drives innovation and efficiency
• Limited government role in regulating economic activities
• Examples include the United States and Hong Kong

Planned Economy

• Government controls production, distribution, and pricing of goods and services
• Central planning authority makes economic decisions for the entire nation
• Resources allocated based on predetermined goals rather than market forces
• State-owned enterprises dominate industrial and agricultural sectors
• Soviet Union and Cuba implemented centrally planned economic systems

East-West Divide

Iron Curtain and Ideological Separation

• Iron Curtain symbolized physical and ideological barrier between Eastern and Western Europe
• Winston Churchill coined the term in his 1946 "Sinews of Peace" speech
• Divided Europe into communist East and capitalist West
• Restricted flow of people, information, and goods between the two blocs
• Berlin Wall (constructed in 1961) became a tangible symbol of the East-West divide

Containment Policy

• United States adopted containment strategy to prevent spread of communism
• George Kennan's Long Telegram (1946) influenced development of containment policy
• Aimed to limit Soviet influence and prevent expansion of communist ideology
• Implemented through economic aid, military alliances, and diplomatic pressure
• Shaped US foreign policy throughout the Cold War (Korean War, Vietnam War)

Western Initiatives

Marshall Plan and Economic Recovery

• Marshall Plan provided economic aid to Western European countries after World War II
• Aimed to rebuild war-torn economies and prevent spread of communism
• Distributed over $13 billion in aid between 1948 and 1951
• Promoted economic integration and cooperation among recipient countries
• Contributed to rapid economic recovery and political stability in Western Europe

Truman Doctrine and Military Support

• Truman Doctrine pledged US support to nations threatened by Soviet expansionism
• Announced by President Harry Truman in 1947
• Provided military and economic assistance to Greece and Turkey
• Marked a shift in US foreign policy towards active containment of communism
• Set precedent for future US interventions in global conflicts (Vietnam, Afghanistan)

NATO and Collective Security

• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) formed in 1949 as military alliance
• Provided collective defense against potential Soviet aggression
• Included United States, Canada, and Western European nations
• Article 5 established principle of collective defense (attack on one is attack on all)
• Expanded over time to include former Warsaw Pact countries after Cold War

Eastern Bloc

Warsaw Pact and Soviet Influence

• Warsaw Pact established in 1955 as Soviet-led military alliance
• Included Soviet Union and Eastern European satellite states
• Served as counterbalance to NATO in the Cold War power struggle
• Allowed Soviet Union to maintain military presence in Eastern Europe
• Used to suppress anti-Soviet uprisings (Hungary 1956, Czechoslovakia 1968)
• Dissolved in 1991 following collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe