Why Is the Cold War Called a War?

The term 'Cold War' might seem like an oxymoron - after all, there was no direct combat or hot conflict between the opposing sides. So, why is it called a war at all? The answer lies in the nature of the competition and the goals of each side.

George Kennan, a renowned diplomat and historian, once remarked that 'nobody won' the Cold War. This statement is often cited to support the idea that the conflict was not truly a war at all. However, this interpretation overlooks the fact that Kennan himself believed that the retraction of Soviet power was essential for global stability. In other words, he recognized that the Cold War was indeed a struggle between competing ideologies and interests.

The Allies' decisive victories in World Wars I and II are often cited as evidence of their superiority over Nazi Germany. Similarly, the United States' loss in Vietnam serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of military power. But when it comes to the Cold War, things get more complicated. While it is true that the Soviet Union has dissolved, the Berlin Wall has been dismantled, and the Gulag system has been abolished, these facts do not necessarily mean that the United States 'won' the conflict.

According to liberal academic opinion, nobody won the Cold War because this narrative allows for a sanitized history of the era. By downplaying or denying American triumph over Soviet totalitarianism, historians aim to conceal the fact that democratic governments led by the United States and President Ronald Reagan ultimately prevailed against their communist adversaries.

George Orwell's famous dictum - 'He who controls the past controls the future' - takes on added significance in this context. Some of America's most esteemed historians are working tirelessly to rewrite the historical record, effectively erasing the achievements of those who fought against Soviet communism. By doing so, they hope to shape public opinion and influence the way future generations perceive the Cold War.

In conclusion, the Cold War was indeed a war - albeit a unique and complex one. It was a struggle for dominance between rival ideologies, with the United States ultimately emerging victorious. Rather than acknowledging this reality, some historians have opted to rewrite history in an effort to control the narrative and obscure the triumph of democratic values over totalitarianism.

Why is the cold war called a war?