The Cold War : a very short introduction / Robert McMahon.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McMahon, Robert J., 1949-

Series:

Very short introductions

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cold War.

World politics--1945-1989.

World politics.

United States--Foreign relations--Soviet Union.

United States.

International relations.

Soviet Union.

Soviet Union--Foreign relations--United States.

Physical Description:

185 pages : illustrations, maps ; 18 cm.

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2003.

Summary:

The massive disorder and economic ruin following the Second World War inevitably predetermined the scope and intensity of the Cold War. But why did it last so long? And what impact did it have on the United States, the Soviet Union, Europe, and the Third World? Finally, how did it affect the broader history of the second half of the twentieth century - what were the human and financial costs? This Very Short Introduction provides a clear and stimulating interpretive overview of the Cold War, one that will both invite debate and encourage deeper investigation.

Contents:

1 World War II and the destruction of the old order 1

2 The origins of the Cold War in Europe, 1945-50 16

3 Towards 'Hot War' in Asia, 1945-50 35

4 A global Cold War, 1950-8 56

5 From confrontation to detente, 1958-68 78

6 Cold wars at home 105

7 The rise and fall of superpower detente, 1968-79 122

8 The final phase, 1980-90 143.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 169-173) and index.

ISBN:

0192801783

OCLC:

51559153