Realism and the Cold War1. Nature of the Cold War seen in the Suez Canal CrisisA. NasserB. Aswan DamC. Lessons we can learn D. Effects on US Allies2. Cold War DeterrenceA. Weighing the RisksB. Conventional vs. Nuclear Weapons C. Impact of Nuclear DeterrenceD. Nuclear Power and a Peaceful end to the cold war3. Ending the Cold WarA. Decline of Soviet Military Power, Influence and EconomyB. Eastern EuropeC. The Fall4. Why we will miss the cold war Proxy wars- Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, African statesSuez Canal Crisis- had the potential to break the balance of power. Britain frequently used canal as lifeline.1. Demonstrates that major powers are willing to be in competition but do not want to go head to head directly.2. Neither major power desired a nuclear war.3. Both powers recognize the wisdom of maintaining the balance of power.Britain was protectorate over Egypt until 1922. Still has military rights and use of canal. 1952 king replaced by a pan Arab nationalist government- Gamal Nasser. Later became the prime minister in 54 and president in 56, focused on Egypt’s independence and pushed Britain out. Did not want to bea pawn to the super powers. Used real politick. US hoped Egypt would take an anti- communist view. Aswan Dam- helped Egypt become self-sufficient, industrialize, control floods. US seeking Nasser’s alliance offered to help build it. Nasser wanted to build Egyptian army- asked us for arms. US put condition on arms- Egypt could only use them for defense and the US wanted to train and oversee Egyptian army. US in fear of Egypt attacking Israel. Nasser then turned to Russia after not meeting US demands. US offered Egypt gift of 56 million, but US takes offer back. Due to Nasser recognized People’s Republic of China. 1949- China became communist. US recognized Taiwan nationalist party as China’s government. Soviets offered 1 billion for Egypt to build dam.Algeria standing up against France, French and British conspire with Israel. 1956 Israel will invade Egypt, Britain and France can pretend they are coming in as peace keeping forces. US did not support scheme. Soviet announces they will attack Brit and France. US now had to protect Britain and France; if US got involved it would become a nuclear war. US supported all embargos and sanctions against Britain and France. Little states can play a major role. France pulls away from US. Became nuclear power in 1960, pulled out of NATO, rebelled dollar and gold standard, worked to draw closer to continental European allies. 1958- European community formed, eventually EUBi-polarity and Nuclear weapons= stability MAD- mutual assured destruction from nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons make alliances less important, tipping balance of power increases security risk for everyone, major powers don’t go to war. Since WWII. Vietnam proxy-war victory for the SovietsChina and soviet split in end of 1950’s. Cuba was used as soviets military weapon against the US. Cuba became soviets greatest humiliation and financial drain. Afghanistan was also soviet puppet state. Chernobyl- 1986 nuclear explosion, made soviets look bad internationally. Gorbachev- came with new ideas. New outlook on Eastern Europe. 1989- Berlin wall came down breaking the iron curtain. Eastern Europe turning democratic. Malta conference worked out the end of the cold war. Realists- soviets could no longer keep up economically, politically, etc. Liberals- say open communications between everyone let soviets back out.US now regional hegemon. In multi-polarity, less security. US were protected under bi-polarity.China is looking to be the next big super
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