INR 202

• Soon after the end of world war in 1945, world witnessed the emergence of two power blocs in Europe
• Power blocs


  • Capitalist democracy dominated by the United States
  • Socialist communism dominated by the Soviet Union
• Consequently, there was a power struggle for supremacy and the ensuing conflict was the cold war fought on the platform of economic, military and ideological rivalry
• The origin of the cold war actually began with the unsuccessful interference of the western powers in the civil war of the Russian revolution of 1917
• As a result of the Russian revolution, Russia embraced an economic and ideological posture in strong opposition to the capitalist and democratic quest through the formation of Communist International (COMINTERN)
• COMINTERN was formed in 1919 as a formal organisation of communist parties through which to direct, coordinate and control communist policy in Europe
• The invasion of Soviet Russia by Germany united the Soviet Russia with the Allies
• Soviet Russia in its expansionist tendencies liberated and dominated a vast area of Eastern Europe introducing its political system and creating satellite states to ward off capitalist quest
• There is an agreement amongst others that Scholars that fear in terms of security rather than ambition to protect Soviet Russia into expansion without the natural frontiers/ barricades for its defense
• Cold War


  Unhabitual relationship between capitalist democracy and Marxist-Leninist Communism after the war, compounded by deep-seated ideological tension
• Cold War


  1. Widening diplomatic, geo-political and ideological clash of interest

  2. Antagonism and rivalries that fell short of open or direct military hostilities
• From 1945-1991, there was never direct conflict or physical confrontation
• Purpose of Cold War

  To protect their nations
• Characteristics of Cold War

  • Suspicious, mutual distrust and misunderstanding between lead nations of East and West blocs
  • Absence of trust and compromise heightened fear of Third World War
  • No direct war, but incidences of armed conflict through surrogates, spies, traitors and undercover agents
  • Superpowers preoccupied with development and production of nuclear weapons
• Detente period in late 1960s and early 1970s


  1. Superpowers tried to control nuclear arms race and resolve some conflicts

  2. New form of alliances emerged which altered international relations beyond two opposed blocs
• Weapons developed during Cold War


  • Jet fighters
  • Bombers
  • Nuclear weapons
  • Chemical and biological weapons
  • Surface-to-air missiles
  • Antiaircraft artillery
  • Regular artillery
  • Surface to surface missiles (including SRBMs and cruise missiles)
  • Intercontinental ballistic missiles (including IRBMs)
  • Anti ballistic missiles
  • Armoured vehicles
  • Riffles
  • Rocket propelled grenades
  • Anti tank weapons
  • Submarines and anti submarines warfare
  • Submarine launched ballistic missiles
  • Electronic and signal intelligence
  • Reconnaissance aircraft
  • Spy satellites
• Characteristics of Cold War


  • Suspicious, mutual distrust and misunderstanding between lead nations of each Bloc (East and West)
  • Absence of trust and compromise was intense
  • Fear of outbreak of a Third World War due to production of nuclear weapons and arms race
• United States fear and concern

  Possible threat posed by Soviet Union's geopolitical expansionist tendencies and attempt at the introduction of communism throughout the world
• Soviet Union's wariness


  United States' imperialist movement with capitalism and attempt of stopping revolutionary activities in other countries
• The Marshall Plan had three important frameworks

  1. Conceptualization and development of the Marshall Plan as a coordinated economic recovery programme

  2. Restart trade with Europe to ensure economic stability through its continued expansion to sell its huge produce to avoid an economic slump

  3. Become a conveyor belt for the expansion of the United States economy by creating a market in Europe
• Economic Recovery


  Objective of the Marshall Plan
• The Marshall Plan became a conveyor belt for the expansion of the United States economy by creating a market in Europe
• Europe was the epicenter for the spread of the American free market under the platform of economic aid
• The United States was confronted with serious economic challenges to export its produce to Europe because of the dearth in supply of American dollars
• As a result of the shortfall in demand leading to lower productivity and employment in Europe, the first action plan to achieve the goals was for the United States to restart trade with Europe to ensure economic stability through its continued expansion to sell its huge produce to avoid an economic slump
• Containment of Communism


  A goal of the Marshall Plan
• Marshall Plan


  • Second goal was to contain the perceived aggressive advances of the Soviet Union through a containment strategy based primarily on economic policies
  • Aimed to rebuild the economy and expand the European market
  • Aimed to rebuild democratic system to counter perceived threats to Europe balance of powers
• After World War II, poverty, hunger and unemployment were prevalent in Europe
• According to George Marshall, every country in Europe was so poor that it was in danger of turning Communist
• Europe was a breeding ground of hate
• Most of the population that suffered devastating destruction in Europe tend to favour communism, as it promises better lifestyle under the Marxist – Leninist ideals
• To contain Communist influence on the Plan in Europe, the United States preferred industrial programme which were more of economic advantage to social programme
• Though, the Marshall Plan was a pledge of economic assistance to Europe it was heavily laced with the political interest of the United States. The Plan helped to relax economic hardship and discontentment that were germane to political stability.
• Though, the Marshall Plan was a pledge of economic assistance to Europe it was heavily laced with the political interest of the United States. The Plan helped to relax economic hardship and discontentment that were germane to political stability.
• For instances, the Communist Parties were beginning to gain much popularity in Italy and France prior to the 1948 elections.
• Integration of Europeinto a single economic 


  The most lasting significant goal of the Marshall Plan
• Role of European integration into a single economic bloc


  1. Leaders of the US and many other European countries were convinced that European integration was necessary to secure the peace and prosperity of Europe

  2. Used Marshall Plan guidelines to foster integration
• Aims of European integration

  • Ensured the integration of Germany into a wider European market
  • Reduced the possibility of waging war in the future
  • Created a leverage for the US to trade with Europe as single entity without undue characterization of the different regulations for different countries
  • Germany was pivot for the US economic investment in Europe with its enormous available of technical skill and proficient for industry
  • Germany Integration into a united Europe would serve to prevent its significant growth and not to be stronger than France or any other European country while preserving the countries mutual dependence on one another
  • Europe united could also be developed into a third force under the US hegemony which would act as a buffer towards the Soviet threat
• The Marshall Plan also helped to reduce the appeal of Communism by providing an alternative source of support for those who would have otherwise turned to the Soviet Union for aid.
• The Marshall Plan also helped to reduce the appeal of Communism by providing an alternative source of support for those who would have otherwise turned to the Soviet Union for aid.