In 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed as a nation state. Although, in retrospect, this seemed the likely outcome after years of economic stagnation, political corruption, and most importantly, the collapse of all pro-Soviet communist regimes in Eastern Europe by 1989, no one expected it (Pa...

It began in the desert of New Mexico on July 16, 1945, with the first U.S. atomic test called Trinity. The device was comprised of 19,300 tons of TNT explosive. There was an intense light that brightened the distant mountains, a sudden wave of heat, and then a tremendous roar as the shock wave ec...

The historical impact of Operation Barbarosa cannot be denied. The Soviet victory over the Nazi German invaders set up the Soviets as a world superpower and set the stage for the Cold War. Had the Germans not attacked, the Russians may not have gained their dominance in Eastern Europe, and the Wars...

In the years following the end of the Cold War, many historians and social scientists have written accounts of what were some of the causes and effects of this period when the threat of war was almost always present. One such person was Melvyn Leffler and his work, The Specter of Communism, which ...

As one looks at international relations in this post-cold war era, it is important to know that the liberal-realist ideologies are crucial elements to understanding post-cold war conflicts. Realists believe that wars arise from the efforts and desire of states to obtain power and security in an ana...

An ancient Roman expression states, "Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum"; "Therefore whoever wishes for peace, let him prepare for war". Throughout much of the twentieth century, nations have attempted to resolve conflicts and ensure peace. The most preeminent conflicts...

Was the invention of the atomic bomb the creation of just another weapon, or the creation of a doomsday device? For over fifty years, the controversy over whether or not it was necessary to drop the atomic bomb to conclude World War II has continued to question America and the rest of the world. In ...

The causes and reasons for the decline and ultimate collapse of the Soviet Union are many and of a vastly varying nature. Yet, despite the various schools of thought on this issue, these causes can generally be placed into two differing scopes, those being the domestic and international arenas. Much...

The fall of the Communist regime and adoption of Democracy in the Soviet Union was more than just a political affair. The resolute bond between economics and politics, which was the central characteristic of the state socialist system, created a unique situation for the successor states of the Sov...

It has been a 'splendid little war' wrote John Hay to Theodore Roosevelt after the fall of Santiago. Little, the Spanish-American War was; it was over in barely four months. Splendid? Maybe for those at home, reading the headline about its lucky victories. But for those men who fo...

The Vietnam War – no other war in America's history has caused discord among our society. With over 50,000 dead, the memories of this war far away in the Asian continent redefined our culture in the years to come. Even the way war-making policies related to the Middle Eastern conflicts of...

The following is a discussion of American foreign policy towards Israel, and the Middle East. In it I will show that Lyndon Johnson changed the regional position and opinion of the United Stated by adapting a pro Israeli stance, categorized by excusing many unadvised forceful actions taken by Israel...

Western Civilization Final Exam Tuesday, June 23, 1998 Question: What were the causes of the World War II? Do you believe that the war could have been prevented? Why or Why not? After the fall of the Weimar government, and the rise to power of the National Socialists headed by Adolph Hitler, Germany...

Western CivilizationFinal ExamTuesday, June 23, 1998 Question:What were the causes of the World War II? Do you believe that the war could have been prevented? Why or Why not?After the fall of the Weimar government, and the rise to power of the National Socialists headed by Adolph Hitler, Germany u...

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been a silent partner on the world stage for more than half of the century and the most successful political-military alliance in history. The United Nations and their peacekeeping efforts have had the spotlight for the past few years. However the driving...

Following the war in 1945, the United States of America, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union divided the city of Berlin into sectors. Each sector was under the control of a different country. The United States, Britain, and France joined their sections together to form a democratic state on May 24...

The overlapping crises in Hungary and Poland in the autumn of 1956 posed a severe challenge for the leaders of the Soviet Communist Party (CPSU). After a tense standoff with Poland, the CPSU Presidium (as the Politburo was then called) decided to refrain from military intervention and to s...

What are the consequences of The Second World War? What are the most important results of the Second World War? What vital lessons can be derived from its history? The utter defeat of fascist Germany and militarist Japan in which the Soviet Union took the decisive role, was the result of join...

Preface: How has the ninth edition been updated? In this updated edition, certain chapters have in added in light of the attacks of September 11, 2001. There was a chapter added on the foreign policies of Clinton and Yelstin-Putin also, an introduction to the beginnings of George W. Bush's...

On August 6, 1945, the world changed forever. The United States had sent a B-29 bomber plane named "Enola Gay" to fly over the industrial city of Hiroshima, Japan and drop the first atomic bomb ever - "Little Boy" . The world had never experienced anything like it. One hundred thousand died almost i...

The Cold War was the term used to describe the intense rivalry that developed after World War II between groups of Communist and non Communist nations. It was called the cold war because it did not really result in fighting. According to the article on the cold war in the World Book 2000 e...

Immigration is to come into a country of which one is not a native for permanent residence. People that immigrate usually leave their native country to escape political power, persecution, war, or poor opportunities (Alternatives for the Americas 1). The government in the native country is usually r...

In the wake of the temporary partitioning of Vietnam at the Geneva Conference of 1954, the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration was determined to do what it could to ensure that South Vietnam remained out of the hands of Communists. Eisenhower suggested in a 1954 speech that if the Communists were ...

The Monroe Doctrine The nineteenth century was an exciting and vibrant era that not only dramatically altered the physical face of our nation due to the rapid development of large cities and manufacturing facilities, but also helped modify and shape the values that have come to define our Amer...

Ever since nuclear weapons of mass destruction have existed, people have been attempting to create ways to prevent a war that would bring about a worldwide Arma-geddon. Many of today's top military and government officials have been studying ways in which the United States can protect itself from ...