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Development of the Cold War

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Why did the superpowers build up vast nuclear arsenals, and how did the threat of mutual destruction shape the Cold War?

Explain the nuclear arms race between the superpowers and how the idea of deterrence shaped the Cold War
A focused answer to the O-Level History dot point on the arms race. The build-up of nuclear and other weapons, the space race, the idea of deterrence and mutually assured destruction, and how the threat of nuclear war shaped the Cold War.
9 min answer →

Why did the Cuban Missile Crisis bring the world to the edge of nuclear war, and how was it resolved?

Explain the causes, events and consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962
A focused answer to the O-Level History dot point on the Cuban Missile Crisis. Why the Soviet Union placed missiles in Cuba, the thirteen days of crisis in 1962, how nuclear war was avoided, and the consequences for the Cold War.
10 min answer →

Why did the Cold War turn into a 'hot war' in Korea, and what were its results?

Explain the causes, course and consequences of the Korean War of 1950 to 1953 as part of the developing Cold War
A focused answer to the O-Level History dot point on the Korean War. The division of Korea, the North Korean invasion, the United Nations and Chinese involvement, and how the war showed containment in action and spread the Cold War to Asia.
9 min answer →

Why did the United States become involved in the Vietnam War, and why did it fail to win?

Explain why the United States became involved in the Vietnam War and the reasons it failed to win
A focused answer to the O-Level History dot point on the Vietnam War. The domino theory and containment, American involvement, the difficulty of fighting a guerrilla war, the role of public opinion, and why the United States failed to win.
9 min answer →