Contributed by Madison Simon
The Cold War was a long period of tension between the democracies of the Western World and the communist countries of Eastern Europe. The west was led by the United States and Eastern Europe was led by the Soviet Union. These two countries were known as the world’s superpowers. The two superpowers never officially declared war on one another; however the Korean War, Vietnam War, the Yom Kippur War and the Soviet Afghanistan War were all fought due to the tension. The Soviet Union and the United States were also in constant competition in the Arm’s Race and Space Race. The war was fueled on both sides by propaganda. In America there was a rising Anti-Soviet Union feeling.Interview:
Interview of Richard Simon, 73. He grew up during the cold war in Brooklyn, New York.
How old were you during the cold war?
When it started?
About 10
About 10
Who was the president when you were a child?
Eisenhower
What did you know about the Cold War as a child?
Russia was our arch enemy.
What was the general feeling towards the communism?
Communism was infesting parts of the world and robbing people’s freedom. My first exposure was when the Rosenberg’s were arrested and convicted of treason, and electrocuted their bodies were put on display as an example of what happens to those who try to undermine and steal technological advances from America. It left a lasted impression as I lived in the area that they were shone at the funeral home. Lines of people for a mile long walked passed their caskets in shock. It was at the IJ Morris Funeral Home at Rockaway Parkway where the Bethel Hospital is. It was horrendous. They were so burnt to a crisp that they were powdered to make them look white. I was thirteen at that time. But even at age 10 I was made aware of it though because we were taught to hide under our desks as protection from a nuclear attack which was ridiculous.
Ultimately, communism did America a favor it forced us to continue with our industrial revolution and to maintain a powerful military which caused economic boom years during the Reagan administration.
In your opinion, were the wars that broke out as a result of the Cold War necessary?
No they accomplished nothing other than economic benefits due to rebuilding our military and modernizing our military. The Korean and Vietnam wars were a waste of time. In Korean 50,000 American boys died. Our relations have not improved and there were no political gains either.
Was there any shadow of a doubt that the US was right in attacking communism?
We will always have to defend ourselves against countries or cultural groups that want to tear us down for their benefit.
In your opinion who was the most successful president in your lifetime?
Definitely Reagan, He reestablished the image of America and ensured that capitalism and free societies offer more to its population. In addition, he diplomatically and scientifically put an end to the Cold War and communist threat. There in itself was the proof that the military actions during the Cold War years were unnecessary. Without the loss of life, Reagan economically and scientifically ended the cold war. He created this image of missile defense that showed our communist enemies that their military dreams of defeating us would not work.
For more information on the Cold War:
For more information on the Cold War:
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