The Cold War

Children's Literature - Leila Toledo

It was during the period between 1945 (the end of World II) and 1962 (the Cuban missile crisis) that the United States and Russia became the two superpowers. Both the countries amassed arsenals of nuclear weapons with the hope that neither would ever has to use them. I remember the tension and the fear that were felt in response to Russia's placement of nuclear missiles on the island of Cuba in October 1962. This was the apex of the Cold War. Russia established Communism in Eastern Europe, and the United States provided the Marshall Plan to western Europe. It is very frightening to think that Russia's goal was to establish Communism around the world while destroying democracy and capitalism. The author has laid out a detailed accounting of the events that happened during the Cold War, including the Truman Doctrine, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Russia's development of the hydrogen bomb, Sputnik-1 and the Berlin Wall. I think that it is important for young people to know and understand our history, our relationship with Russia and our allies in Europe because there are still tension and conflict between the United States and Communist governments around the world. Part of the "Other Days of Change" series. Reviewer: Leila Toledo