Thesis Statement
After the devastating results of World War II, the stage was set for the two lone surviving great powers, the USSR and the United States, to face off. In the conflict that would become known as the Cold War, the United States and the USSR challenged each other culturally, economically, politically, and through their military might across all corners of the globe. The two great rivals demonstrated such hostility towards each other in the new era of nuclear weapons which led to the most frightening period in American history.
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Conclusion
In retrospect, many say that the Cold War was never actually fought. However that's simply not true. While the Cold War may not have been fought on the battlefield between American and Soviet troops, it was fought each day in the way Americans and Soviets lived; from what goods they could purchase in stores, to their representation in government, to the individual liberties they were granted, to the religions they were allowed to practice, the Cold War was fought in the daily lives of every American and Soviet citizen.
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Synthesis
The Cold War may be over, but it continues to dominate the geopolitical affairs of the world today. Whether it be Russia invading Crimea or Isis establishing itself in the Middle East, the Cold War still affects the world today. The Cold War wasn't just a war of two military armies on the battlefield; it was a total ideological struggle that forced every nation to pick a side. This devastating drawn out conflict destroyed several nations leaving an empty vacuum of power allowing for terrible tyrants to seize control. Nations such as Cuba and North Korea have both been subject to harsh dictatorships, and the Middle East has also been in chaos ever since the establishment of Israel. However many other nations flourished under the Cold War era such as Japan and South Korea whom, under Western aid, have been able to counter the threat of communism in eastern Asia. The results of the Cold War have a direct impact on the conflicts that occur in the world today. However instead of the threat of Communism, now the world faces a different and much more severe problem; the spread of terrorism.
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