Why did the US get involved in the Cold War?
The US did not get involved in the Cold War per se, it was rather a matter of circumstances than choice: – United States demonstrated its super-weapon, the atomic bomb on Japan and exerted its influence via technological prestige and intimidation. – The Soviet Union that developed the bomb next in 1949 naturally became the “opponent,” since they also had the nuclear bargaining chip. The Cold War was basically a struggle for global influence. The foremost benefit for the Cold War is rapid technological advance during that period: – Nuclear power developed from all the test being done with nuclear weapons. – Space technology rapidly advanced from the race to get the first dog, man, woman, chimpanzee etc. into space. – Advancement in communication tools such as television came from the need of the two countries to spread their respective propaganda. Economic development included – The interstate in the U.S., which was built to connect major cities for fast mobilization in case the Soviets
