The Cold War through Documents

A Global History

Edited by Edward H. Judge, John W. Langdon co-author, The Struggle Against Imperialism: Anti-Colonialism and the Cold

Publication date:

27 October 2017

Length of book:

380 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

236x160mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781538109250

This comprehensive collection of carefully edited documents—speeches, treaties, statements, and articles—traces the rise and fall of the Cold War. The sources follow the Cold War from its roots in East–West tensions at the end of World War II to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Set in historical context by the editors’ concise introductions and followed by thoughtful discussion questions, the documents are arranged in chronological order, starting with the Yalta Conference and ending with Gorbachev’s resignation speech. Drawing on selections from a variety of countries and leaders involved in this prolonged global struggle, the editors treat the entire Cold War as an era in world history, not just U.S. history. Their judicious selection makes the great events of the time come alive through the words and phrases of those who were actively involved.
The first Cold War between the United Sates and its allies and the former Soviet Union and its allies lasted from World War II's concluding days in 1945 until approximately 1991. This historical epoch saw many significant military confrontations and near confrontations including the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Soviet interventions in Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Afghanistan, and eventually the collapse of the Soviet bloc and German reunification. This compendium of documents includes excerpts from significant documents during the first Cold War along with contextual introductions to the background and policy developments resulting in the production of these documents. . . . This compilation is a useful introduction to some Cold War documents for undergraduate students, and the study questions presented at the end of each document are very beneficial.