Source based essay:It can be agreed to a great extent that the period of The Cold War from 1947-1962 was characterized by acts of brinkmanship. These acts of brinkmanship have been proven through moments in history such as The Berlin Blockade and The Cuban Missile Crisis and whilst it cannot be denied that leaders such as JF Kennedy and Khrushchev went to drastic measures in order to prevent a nuclear war, it is clear to see that leaders in history were willing to reach the brink of war in order to protect their country and secure their borders.
The period of the Cold War can be characterized by acts of brinkmanship and this is shown through events such as The Cuban Missile Crisis and with the signing of the Truman Doctrine. It is said that the Crisis was provoked by Khrushchev and was launched regardless of knowing that America might buckle under the pressure (Source E) and through this one can see that the extent that Khrushchev was willing to go to in order to protect his soviet sphere of influence (Source E).
With the signing of the Truman Doctrine came America’s intentions on addressing issues such as chaos and hunger, and even though the Doctrine wasn’t directed against any country (source B), Russia felt extremely violated and betrayed and with the signing of the Doctrine came the start to a buildup of disagreements and tensions between the USSR and America during the time of the Cold War. It is through these events that it can be seen that both leaders were willing to take each other to the brink of war as means of protecting their country and this is why it can be agreed that the period of the Cold War is characterized by large acts of brinkmanship.In addition, other events such as The Berlin Blockade in 1948 and The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 contributed to the acts of brinkmanship shown throughout the period of the Cold War from 1948-1962. As a reaction to the frequent currency and economic disputes, Stalin implemented the Berlin blockade, regardless of the fact that the US government regarded these measures as a clear violation of existing agreements (Source C). Stalin went into the situation knowing the consequences and was willing to reach the brink of war just as a power move. It can also be seen through the Cuban Missile Crisis that both Kennedy and Khrushchev were squared off against each other (Source G) and were willing to stand their ground amidst the exchange of several ultimatums ands through several threats of a nuclear war. With two of the most powerful nations against each other, each with its finger on the button, it is clear to see that the period of the Cold War is undeniably characterized by acts of brinkmanship coming from both parties.In contrast, it cannot be denied that both Khrushchev and Kennedy were willing to create a compromise in order to prevent the coming of nuclear war and that both leaders worked side by side in order to protect their countries and annihilate any possibility of war. Through situations such as the Missile crisis and the construction of the Berlin Wall, it is clear to see that if the desire to avoid war is strong enough, even the most pressing dispute can be solved by compromise (Source G). After heavy dispute, Khrushchev agreed to the sealing of barbed wire on the Berlin Wall, and although it went against his best wishes, Khrushchev did such rather than create action that would have lead to war (Source f). Through exchanges of several ultimatums between America and the USSR during situations such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and through dispute solved by compromise (Source H), it is clear to see that Khrushchev and Kennedy worked together as a team to annihilate the possibility of nuclear war. It can also be argued that both Kennedy and Khrushchev went to any means necessary, to rid the world of hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos (Source B) and that their actions were rather seen as acts of necessary precaution rather than acts of brinkmanship. Their aim was to bring an end to issues that create no political stability and no assured peace and to act as the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist (Source B). Through these actions it can be seen that both leaders were willing to work together to prevent nuclear war, regardless of the acts of brinkmanship shown by both countries during the period of the Cold War from 1947 to 1962.In conclusion, although it is clear to see that both Khrushchev and Kennedy were willing to create a compromise in order to prevent the coming of a nuclear war and bring an end to issues disrupting economic and social health in the world, through incidents such as the Berlin Blockade and The Truman Doctrine, and through the actions of both Kennedy and Khrushchev during this time period, it is clearly undeniable that the period of the Cold War from 1947-1962 was characterized by large acts of brinkmanship. Drafts: