Politics in the middle of 20th century
Politics in the middle of the 20th century were taking a new direction. The USA, which was then the superpower, feared Russia economically and politically and thus took measures to ensure it was on the safe side. However, from a critical analysis of the readings by Henry and Andrei, we note that the US has been practicing unfair politics during this era in question. The USA is tempted to suppress its rivals, which is part of the cold war. This writing expounds on the theme that strong nations use unfair practices to remain in power. The literature uses the statements made by Henry and the speech made by Andrei back in 1947.
Henry A Wallace Questions the Get Tough Policy
The main issue revolving around mind of Henry was how the rest of the world views the USA following their day-to-day actions. The reading expounds on the international politics of the 1940s. Some of the actions that cause concern are the $13 billion budget for the war and Navy Departments, continuing examinations and manufacturing of bombs, and the plan to arm Latin America, among other military plans, in manufacturing the B-29s and the B-36s. These plans and actions make the USA look like it is paying so much to earn peace. They may also look as if the US is planning to intimidate the rest of the world or for an inevitable war. Truly, investing in arms is the best way to enhance peace, as this will build a predominance force. However, the USA is doing a lot as far as getting prepared for war is concerned.
Henry explains these actions of Atomic bomb investment as a cheap warfare compared to outdated wars. This is in reference with the fact that there are a few nations with the capacity to produce the weapon. The production process also requires little labor force and the plant itself occupy a small area as compared to the space occupied by plants manufacturing old rifles. Another reason for investment in atomic bombs is that having many bombs among other nations is of no benefit because they would be of benefit just as having enough weapons would do. Another key reason why the country is producing atomic bombs is that the production will kill the monopoly that a nation such as Russia is producing the weapon. This is through a neutralization effect. He also argues that they are producing the atomic bombs to show preparedness for war, as they are the most venerable nation following the fact that they are the wealthiest nation in the world (Baylis, Steve, and Patricia 23).
He refers to a philosophy in military studies, which states that there is no nation capable of winning a war that fully destroys modern civilization. The theory therefore advocates that the best preventative measure is attacking nations, which produce the weapon. The theory by its nature is unethical and immoral. USA may be at a fix if it decided to apply the theory because if it attempts to attack Russia and all its atomic reserves, it will awaken Europe, meaning in has to destroy it as well which it would be an immense challenge.
There are also issues concerning distrust of Russia by the Americans. This is following the conflicts between the two nations as far as political and economic power is concerned. However, there is also an argument that the continuing thought regarding distrust for Russia will not do the world any good because of their reaction concerning the allegation. This is in reference with the history of the nation as well as the policies of Russia to the rest of the world. Following the argument by Henry, it is evident that the Americans feel that they are exceptional and superior to other nations (Baylis, Steve, and Patricia 56).
“Andrei Vishinsky’s United Nations Speech”
The Get Policy by Henry of 1947 analyzes the need to stop the ongoing after- war propaganda that negatively affected the people. Different individuals share their own opinion about the war, and this is published in the newspapers and daily articles. The information influences the citizens’ way of thinking and puts fear into them. They fail to carry out their normal activities thus the economy drastically drops. In addition, this affects the political field that people blame as the cause of the war. Further, they accuse the Soviet Union of organizing a revenge mission. On the contrary, the union aims at helping resettlement of those displaced by the war. This clearly shows how distorted information triggers war by giving false images to the readers/listeners. The country is well prepared for another war through the establishment of military bases and proper allocation of the armed forces to war prone zones. The government cannot risk experiencing other damages. Therefore, all necessary measures are put in place to effective control any arising crisis (Baylis, Steve, and Patricia 32).
The intensity of the war is immense, and this causes many emotional and psychological disorders among the people. As a result, monopoly emerges, and only those related to state officials are granted the support they deserve. Many people suffer from the loss of their jobs, families, but the government fails to implement strategies that lead to their recovery process. This picture depicts the scenario of a country after the war. A lot of changes occur; people acquire land that belonged to other citizens illegally and the loss of lives leaves many children without parents. These disadvantages aim at convincing the United States to conform from a federal state to being globally involved. The research centers and laboratories are biased to certain individuals and this shows that the results released from the favors one party; the Russians or the Americans. Further, research on the atomic bomb that caused destruction in Hiroshima is a serious concern for the Russians as portrayed in the speech.
There many questions put across over the relationship with the German; the picture of the countries before the war is a foremost concern to Russia. Their main agenda is to unite America and Germany regarding their technological relations. In the process, they aim at obtaining valuable information related to the war. They present essential policies that the Americans need to implement or lose their partnership with the Soviet Union. They focus on the evidence of written agreements with the Germans before the war; the Russians view these materials as the main source of the war. Further, the opponents in Chicago encourage the Americans to effectively use their expansive powers. America is ranked a super power and directly controls other countries. It influences the governance of other nations, and they depend on America for issues affecting them. This shows that after the war America acquired power and attention on the focus is easily drifted. Eventually, focus is lost and the people distorting the truth behind the war are warned. It is evident that the government closely protects the people triggering the war, and this is a form of betrayal (Baylis, Steve, and Patricia 34).
Conclusion
The two readings are common in different aspects. They both explore issues revolving around the world’s two powerful nations of the time. Henry discussion the indirect war between USA and Russia while Andrei discusses the physical war as well as the reaction brought about by war. In Henry’s writing, we see USA praising itself and defending its position to where it produces dangerous arms, which is contrary to the requirement by the United Nations. They are also against other nations producing the same weapon, yet they claim they do that to get ready for a war. This is politically unethical. In both writing, it is also evident that USA is unstable as far as Russia is concerned it fears it may challenge its position as the super power.
Works cited
Baylis, John, Steve Smith, and Patricia Owens. The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010. Print.
