Thread: Cold War !

During the Cold War , in America , there was a lot of fear among civilians and government officials . But what was it like in Russia ?

Really? I never felt any fear.

Originally Posted by sperk

Really? I never felt any fear.

Well , I mean more of the early days of the Cold War , for instance the 50's .

I may be wrong, but I have an impression that ordinary people in Russia (or in Soviet Union, to be more exact) were much less fixated on America as a threat, than Americans on the USSR. The USA was traditionally called "the most possible enemy" by the authorities - a rather phlegmatic and ambivalent phrase, which was not as scary and emotional as "Evil empire". I believe there was mistrust and wariness, but no fear. Something like "Americans don't like us, but they most likely won't try anything, they will not dare".

Moreover, as a kid in the 80's I was much more afraid of Germany (as were many of my friends). America was too distant and almost unreal, and we never were in war with it, while Germany was close, and we knew for a fact that Germans killed millions of our countrymen. Germany was our "Evil Empire", while America seemed like something between a bully and an economic rival (another popular official motto was "(Let's) Catch up with America and leave it behind").

Originally Posted by Will

Well , I mean more of the early days of the Cold War , for instance the 50's .

Well, I didn't live in the 50's, but I don't remember fear in my parents or grandparents either.

The USA was traditionally called "the most possible enemy" by the authorities - a rather phlegmatic and ambivalent phrase, which was not as scary and emotional as "Evil empire".

In fact, it wasn't "enemy" even. The word was "противник", which is an unemotional, rather technical military term. This word can even be applied to partners in a game.

Ok , people were not "scared" , but Americans worried Russians would start a nuclear war . So that is what I mean by "scared " or "fear " .

Originally Posted by Will

Ok , people were not "scared" , but Americans worried Russians would start a nuclear war . So that is what I mean by "scared " or "fear " .

That was highly unlikely. The designers of the USSR meant for it to include all the countries in the world as the Soviet Socialist Republics. The Soviet Union wasn't planning to destroy the other countries, rather it was trying to prepare the Socialist Revolutions across the world. It happily sponsored all political movements that undermined or questioned the present regime. The nuclear parity was an unavoidable, necessary, and expensive evil so as not to be destroyed by the US. At the time, especially after the Caribbean Crisis it was believed the US would use the WMDs whenever it feels threatened.

Originally Posted by Crocodile

That was highly unlikely. The designers of the USSR meant for it to include all the countries in the world as the Soviet Socialist Republics. The Soviet Union wasn't planning to destroy the other countries, rather it was trying to prepare the Socialist Revolutions across the world. It happily sponsored all political movements that undermined or questioned the present regime. The nuclear parity was an unavoidable, necessary, and expensive evil so as not to be destroyed by the US. At the time, especially after the Caribbean Crisis it was believed the US would use the WMDs whenever it feels threatened.

Ok , that's true . But no U.S civilian knew how the Soviet leaders "built " Russia . All they knew is there was a conflict that had a possibility of going hot .

Originally Posted by Will

Ok , that's true . But no U.S civilian knew how the Soviet leaders "built " Russia .

I think the Soviet Union wasn't making any secrets of their plans. In fact, as far as I know, the Communist party was an outlaw in the US and some other countries (like South Africa, etc.) mainly due to that reason.

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

scary and emotional as "Evil empire".

these are just words, journalistic phrases that go in one ear and out the other with absolutley zero emotional content. Philadelphia (city in US) is called the City of Brotherly Love. Do I associate Philly with love and fraternity? No, these are just empty words.

Originally Posted by sperk

these are just words, journalistic phrases that go in one ear and out the other with absolutley zero emotional content.

But many (if not most) simple Americans has no other knowledge and opinion about foreign countries than their leader's words and took it quite serious. It is felt even up to now.