Product Description

Uses contemporary documents to explore the development of the Cold War struggle, the consequences in the 1950s and 1960s, and the lasting effects on American social and cultural patterns.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1558240 in Books
• Published on: 2001-02-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Library Binding
• 160 pages

From Booklist
Winkler, a highly reputable historian, decides that the domestic politics of the cold war are the most significant aspect of the US-USSR face-off. He plainly writes that his selection of documents "charts the course of U.S. policy," and he selects none from the Communist camp (save two by Ho Chi Minh). His spotlight--especially in photographic imagery--falls on McCarthyism key official documents such as 1950s NSC-68, which codified containment, and antinuclear and anti-Vietnam protest. For books making the vital point that history must be read actively, not passively, Winkler's and Seidman's interesting volumes themselves embody their message. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"During the Cold War - often referred to as a war of spies - policymakers' public statements could not always be relied upon to determine their governments' intentions. What cannot be argued with are their documents. The Cold War: A History of Documents provides us with these most valuable resources and enables us to get to the bottom of many of the major Cold War developments. See beyond the plausible deniability to the actual motivations of the protagonists in this epic struggle." -- Matt Arnold, International Spy Museum
"This substantial, intriguing collection uses primary sources from transcripts, reports, political speeches, and pop culture icons to explain events and policies of the Cold War."--Horn Book Guide

About the Author

Allan M. Winkler is Professor of History and former Chair of the History Department at Miami University, Oxford, OH. His recent books include America: Pathways to the Present and Life under a Cloud: American Anxiety about the Atom (OUP, 1993).

Customer Reviews

Interesting Remembrances of What Could Happen Again!
After the Russian Revolution of 1917, there were long-standing disagreements until the early 1940s; the Cold War was a bitter, usually non-military conflict for fifty years after WWII. It resumed in 1945, Korean War and Vietnam. As a result, the United States and Soviet Union were always "racing" for arms including nuclear weapons. In the '50s, a climate of fear causing internal instability in the U. S.

The roots of the Cold War lay deep in our past. Russia's miliary power grew and the Soviet Union was developed; consequently, communism was their religion. An uneasy stalemate lasted until 1933. The Great Depression in America caused enemies to become friends there for a time. Stalin vs. Hitler, U.S. Great Britain and Soviet Union formed the grand alliance. Americans believe in the principles of liberty, equality and opportunity. U. S. emerged from the war strong and secure, eager to spread its vision of freedom and economic opportunity around the world.

In 1950s, scientists created new thermonuclear weapons -- hydrogen bombs, which were much more powerful the atomic bomb. Russian Sputnik circled the globe in 1957. Margaret Chase Smith promoted a "Declaration of Conscience" in 1954 as she censured Joseph R. McCarthy's use of hate and character assassination. David Alman, novelist and playwright, promoted the Broadway play, 'The Crucible,' as a parable of McCarthyism. He felt it was "really about the Rosenbergs." McCarthy destroyed many careers and reputations, like Alger Hiss who was proven not guilty of any offence.

In 1962 a film of Richard Condor's novel, "The Manchurian Candidate" was clearly a product of the cold war. Every American will be forced to have to stand up and be counted to say whether they are on the side of rights and freedom or on the side of the traitors of this country. Mrs. Hood would tell me to vote "right" I'd say that "I always vote right." But our versions of choosing sides during the cold was may have differing consequences. You see, she voted "party" and I voted "individual."

After serving in the military for 52 years and being publicly reprimanded by then U. S. President Truman, my hero General of the Army Doughas Mas Arthur stood up to his honor and deep Christian faith. He returned to New York City to a huge celebration where he proclaimed that "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away." And as a man of his words, he did as he promised"I shall return." As a child I had a metal statuette which my dad brought home from his years in the U. S. Army and gave it to me. It was my treasure.

"Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect" but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in, to prevent them from leaving us. At the United Nations Khrushelev took one of his shoes off and pounded it on the table where he was having a fit. At the time, he was Russia's leader. Needless to say, for a statesman, he had no manners and was never very stately. Nor was Lyndon Johnson,

Allan M. Winkler is also the author of 'The Politics of Propaganda and do-author of college and high school textbooks.