1. Military Spending: Both the United States and the Soviet Union spent heavily on their military and armed forces throughout the Cold War. This included research, development, and production of weapons, maintenance of large standing armies, and development of nuclear arsenals.
2. Political Repression: In an effort to maintain their dominance and prevent political subversion, both superpowers resorted to political repression. The United States engaged in activities like surveillance and investigations of citizens suspected of communist sympathies. The Soviet Union suppressed political dissent and imprisoned dissidents.
3. Propaganda: Both the US and USSR engaged in extensive propaganda campaigns to influence public opinion domestically and internationally. This involved media campaigns, cultural exchanges, and other forms of communication aimed at promoting their respective ideologies.
4. Economic Competition: The Cold War fueled a competitive economic environment, as the two superpowers sought to showcase their economic strength and influence. This led to efforts to foster economic growth and productivity, but also sometimes resulted in trade restrictions and economic sanctions.
5. Space Race: The competition to demonstrate technological superiority led to the space race, involving ambitious projects like the launch of satellites and missions to the moon. These endeavors required substantial investments and resources.
What was worth it?
1. Containing Communism: The US and its allies achieved their primary objective of containing the spread of communism and preventing Soviet expansion during the Cold War.
2. Technological Advancements: The space race and other competitive efforts pushed the boundaries of science and technology, resulting in significant technological progress in fields like space exploration, computing, and aviation.
3. Increased Global Cooperation: The common threat posed by the Cold War encouraged greater international cooperation and the development of multilateral organizations, such as the United Nations, for resolving conflicts peacefully.
4. Arms Control Agreements: Several agreements were reached between the US and the USSR to limit nuclear weapons and other armaments, reducing the risk of a nuclear conflict and promoting arms control measures.
5. Democratic Consolidation: The Cold War also served as a catalyst for the spread of liberal democratic values and human rights, as many countries sought to align themselves with the American-led Western bloc.
While the Cold War had significant negative consequences, there were also positive outcomes that emerged from the intense global rivalry. Ultimately, the worthiness of these outcomes is subjective and depends on the perspective with which they are viewed.