It's a Bird! It's a Plane! No...it's the United States of America!
When you think of weaponry, physical examples come to mind. Guns. Tanks. Swords. Knives. However, propaganda is infinitely more powerful than any corporeal weapon.
The Cold War was not so much a physical war, but instead one of psychological warfare. Espionage. Armament, and therefore intimidation. But most importantly, propaganda. The US and Soviet Union each had a goal - to convert as many countries as possible to their point of view.
To do so, they required propaganda. Both superpowers shone themselves in the best possible light while completely denouncing the other. However, there is a protagonist and an antagonist to every story. In the case of the Cold War, the protagonist is definitely the USA, in bringing happiness to destroyed cities and citizens and counteracting the villainous Soviet Union’s manipulatory influence and secrecy.
The Soviets reigned terror. Cut off Germans’ basic necessities: food, water, transportation.(1) Did they mean to kill every citizen in Berlin? Presumably. This was done on purpose. What kind of monster sentences over 2 million innocent people(2) to death? The Soviets.
On the flip side, the US was full of heroes. The Berlin airlift was in place 24/7, American pilots voluntarily flying three trips a day(3) to the faraway city. Yet despite the exhausting schedule, one American citizen went above and beyond ‘hero’ status. His name was Gail Halvorsen(4), and he was known as the “Candy Bomber.”
Whereas the Soviets starved the Germans, Gail brought sweet happiness into their lives. He created parachutes of candy and dropped them over the city of Berlin. Not only that, but he took them out of his own candy rations at first(5).
What did the Americans do about this? They didn’t shut Halvorsen down or arrest him, even though he wasn’t supposed to be giving his rations to the German citizens. Instead, they decided to have more American pilots become “candy bombers” themselves, bringing joy to the children of Berlin. Not because they were being told to, but out of the goodness and generosity of Americans’ hearts. Whereas the Soviets were being murderous and destructive, Americans were proving that there was still goodness in the world.
Check out this interview with Gail Halvorsen, the "Candy Bomber," as he talks about his experiences flying over Berlin during the Cold War!
The Korean War may have begun in 1950(6), but we are still feeling its hostility today. Unfortunately, if the Soviet Union hadn’t whispered in North Korea’s ear, the entire crisis could have been avoided.
It was the Soviet Union who provided diplomatic support, strategy, and financial and military aid to North Korea.(7) Had the USSR not gotten involved, they would not have had the military strength, money or plan to stage a successful attack on South Korea.
Taking it a few steps further, if they’d never attacked, South Korea would not have needed to fight back. There would not have been a battle, and the immense tensions in place today would be gone.
There were over a million casualties(8) from this battle, and they could have been prevented. I think that is the most horrific part of all this. The Soviets have even admitted to shooting down over 400 United Nations aircraft.(9) Only a villain would create an event resulting in the suffering, injury and death of over a million people.
Not only did the US only fight defensively, but Americans were actually improving their own policies in their armed forces. This was the first major battle with President Truman’s desegregated military, meaning that the US had a cutting-edge, multi-racial army.(10) They weren’t just fighting for the good of America, they were breaking down racial barriers simultaneously.
With all that evidence, how can there even be a doubt that the USA was incredibly protagonistic during the Korean War, emitting the least amount of violence possible and fighting against their enemies not just physically but also psychologically, dissolving discrimination at the same time?
Check out this video to watch a complete day-by-day overview of the Korean War!
Finally, the secrecy of the Soviets almost destroyed the entire world. It’s nearly impossible to install nuclear weapons in a country without being discovered(11), especially when it had been stated that the Soviet Union had no need to station missiles in any other nation than its own.(12) Not only was the Soviets’ secret nearly impossible to keep, but the reaction of the US should have been predictable. If someone was secretly planning your demise, it would be expected that you would fight back and do whatever possible to prevent it.
In addition to that, there were many laws and charters that the Soviets broke when transforming Cuba into a military base. It defied the Rio Pact of 1947, the Charter of the United Nations, and multiple warnings of President Kennedy himself, to name a few.(13) Trust had been broken, and the US had every right to punish Cuba for going back on their word.
The Soviets made a mistake in training the Cubans to use nuclear warfare(14), as that was a massive secret to keep and it was sure to get out. They did realize their mistake eventually and removed the weapons from Cuba, but it was too late - the Cuban bond with the US had been broken. Not only had the Soviets worsened their own relationship with Americans, but they subjected another country to hatred from the most powerful country in the world: I think that was devastating for the Cubans, and a despicable move from the Soviets.
Now that you've learned all about the Cuban Missile Crisis, copy out this link to find out what could've happened to the world, had the Americans had a different approach to the Cuban Missile Crisis!
http://textadventures.co.uk/games/view/kqlel0dkakelyvou6t3acg/the-cuban-missle-crisis-john-f-kennedy
How can it be denied that the Soviet Union was truly evil, and the USA the saviours? The Soviets terrorized people internationally and started unnecessary conflicts, whereas the US only fought back in self-defence, aided (and saved) many innocent countries, and went above and beyond their call of duty to bring happiness to devastated cities and citizens. The story of the Cold War may be over, but it must be written that when it comes down to who’s the hero and who’s the villain, there is no question that the Soviet Union was the antagonist of the War…leaving the United States of America the victorious heroes.
1. Cellania, Miss, and David 7. "The Candy Bomber." Neatorama. Rommel Santor, 28 Sept. 2012. Web. 18 Dec. 2016. <http://www.neatorama.com/2012/09/28/The-Candy-Bomber-2/>.
2. Cellania, Miss, and David 7. "The Candy Bomber." Neatorama. Rommel Santor, 28 Sept. 2012. Web. 18 Dec. 2016. <http://www.neatorama.com/2012/09/28/The-Candy-Bomber-2/>.
3. Cellania, Miss, and David 7. "The Candy Bomber." Neatorama. Rommel Santor, 28 Sept. 2012. Web. 18 Dec. 2016. <http://www.neatorama.com/2012/09/28/The-Candy-Bomber-2/>.
4. Lauterborn, David. "Interview with Gail Halvorsen, the Berlin Candy Bomber." HistoryNet. N.p., 29 Apr. 2009. Web. 18 Dec. 2016.<http://www.historynet.com/interview-with-gail-halvorsen-the-berlin-candy-bomber.htm>
5. Lauterborn, David. "Interview with Gail Halvorsen, the Berlin Candy Bomber." HistoryNet. N.p., 29 Apr. 2009. Web. 18 Dec. 2016.<http://www.historynet.com/interview-with-gail-halvorsen-the-berlin-candy-bomber.htm>
6. Millett, Allan R. "Korean War." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2016. Web. 18 Dec. 2016. <https://www.britannica.com/event/Korean-War>.
7. Millett, Allan R. "Korean War." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2016. Web. 18 Dec. 2016. <https://www.britannica.com/event/Korean-War>.
8. Millett, Allan R. "Korean War." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2016. Web. 18 Dec. 2016. <https://www.britannica.com/event/Korean-War>.
9. "Australia's involvement in the Korean War." The Armed Forces: North Korea, China and the USSR . Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2016.<http://korean-war.commemoration.gov.au/armed-forces-in-korea/north-korea-china-ussr.php>
10. Greenspan, Jesse. "8 Things You Should Know About the Korean War." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 26 July 2013. Web. 18 Dec. 2016. <http://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-should-know-about-the-korean-war>.
11. Swift, John. "The Cuban Missile Crisis." The Cuban Missile Crisis. History Today Ltd., Mar. 2007. Web. 18 Dec. 2016. <https://www.historytoday.com/john-swift/cuban-missile-crisis>.
12. Klein, Christopher. "10 Things You May Not Know About the Cuban Missile Crisis." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 16 Oct. 2012. Web. 18 Dec. 2016.<http://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-cuban-missile-crisis>
13. "JFK on the Cuban Missile Crisis." Great Speeches Collection. The History Place, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2016.<http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/jfk-cuban.htm>
14.Klein, Christopher. "10 Things You May Not Know About the Cuban Missile Crisis." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 16 Oct. 2012. Web. 18 Dec. 2016.<http://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-cuban-missile-crisis>
