While the Cold War was mainly fought between the United States and Russia, the decisions and actions of both nations greatly impacted a number of other countries. Throughout the world there are various political and economic systems, but none quite as contradictory as those of the United States and Russia during the 1950’s. Since the writing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the U.S. has firmly believed in a free market, capitalistic society, in which its citizens have the ability of personal ownership and potentially unlimited monetary success.
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Russia, on the other hand, was a communist nation, which meant all property was publicly owned and each citizen was given only what the government felt necessary. By the end of the 1940’s, Russia had instilled these communist ideals into the governments of Eastern European countries, such as Poland, the Czech Republic and Ukraine. America was frightened by the idea of a Russian ruled Europe inspired by left wing values and began rehabilitating the countries of Western Europe, such as Belgium and France, to create democracy within the region.
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In The Gun the author alludes to the influence both nations had on European countries. When the crew finds the extinct population’s goods in the bottom of the storehouse, they are amazed at what they have discovered. Dorle remarks, "Not quite too late. After all, they’re possessions, their music, books, and their pictures, all of that will survive. We'll take them home and study them, and they'll change us. We won't be the same afterwards (Dick).” Dick recognized that the impact Russia and the U.S had on the European countries’ and their forms of government would fundamentally change their values and ways of life. (Royde-Smith)
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