In the second half of the XX century, a war was going on between the Soviet Union and the United States of America, which was called "cold". The leaderships of both countries did not hide it at all, but, on the contrary, emphasized it in every possible way. For Soviet citizens, propaganda painted a picture of the evil American imperialism, which, together with the military, brutally suppresses the working people. American propaganda told about the terrible Russians who sleep and see how to destroy America.
American magazine covers: * How Stalin wants to destroy America * and * It's everyone's business to stop communism *.
The population of both countries clearly understood who their enemy was, and were aware that the enemy was cunning and cunning. The Soviet military knew who they were fighting against in Vietnam, Korea, Egypt, Afghanistan and many other hot spots. Soviet schoolchildren practiced evacuating American missiles to bomb shelters. Every inhabitant of the Soviet Union knew a potential aggressor. This is the NATO bloc, which is opposed by the Warsaw Pact countries.
Soviet poster * The enemy is awake - be vigilant! *
However, in the late 80s of the last century, the Cold War disappeared somewhere. Instead, Perestroika appeared, with the recognition of Soviet sins, and bold promises of a bright future. Economic reforms were launched, as a result of which the population was impoverished, industry and agriculture were almost destroyed. This was followed by the dissolution of the Warsaw bloc, and the collapse of the Soviet Union into separate republics. The Americans have turned from insidious enemies into good older brothers who lead the former Soviet people into democracy. Where everything is in abundance, and shops are bursting with an excess of goods.
The beginning of Perestroika, a demonstration on Red Square.
They did not know how Perestroika would end.
When two states are at war with each other, there can be two outcomes:
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- Or a draw and a peace treaty. The opponents suffered minor losses and the state of affairs in both states remained unchanged.
- Either the victory of one of the parties. Then the winner will gut the defeated, taking away everything of value from him, and establish his own rules.
If you ask the question "who won the Cold War?" Russian people, then many will think and say - no one won.
Where, then, did the Cold War disappear? Disappeared to nowhere. Dissolved without a trace.
An unspoken ban was imposed on the topic of the Cold War in the media, cinema, and literature. They mention her because there was such a historical period, you can't go anywhere. But the amount of materials about the Cold War is orders of magnitude less than about the Great Patriotic War. The fact is that if the topic of the Cold War is raised in society, then many will have a natural question - who won the Cold War?
And if a person strains his convolutions even a little, he will quickly comprehend what happened:
1. There was a war with the USA
2. The Warsaw bloc was disbanded, and NATO is alive and well and expanding, absorbing parts of the former USSR.
3. The USSR split into 15 parts.
4. After that, Soviet production and agriculture were destroyed.
5. On the territory of the former USSR, the American dollar has become the main currency. Today it is the main settlement currency even within the Russian Federation, but this is hidden. Almost all prices are pegged to the dollar.
6. Russia has become a raw material colony, exchanging natural resources for Western goods.
7. In the former USSR, Western firms such as McDonalds, FORD, Coca-Cola and many others are widely deployed.
8. The population of the former USSR almost without exception fit into American jeans.
9. American culture and American cinema have become dominant.
The queue for the first McDonald's on Pushkin Square. Many people want to try American fast food.
And so on, there are many points. There are all the signs of a defeated state. Currently, the Russian Federation is a US colony, and obediently performs everything that the winner needs. But in order to understand this, one needs to collect observations and make some kind of mental effort. This is what the occupation administration does not want at all. Therefore, the topic of the Cold War and the military defeat of the USSR is carefully hushed up and avoided.
But the defeated Russians do not know that the USSR lost the Cold War. But the citizens of the United States and Great Britain absolutely understand who won the Cold War. Back in 1997, the US Senate and House of Representatives decided to issue a special certificate "For service during the Cold War."
US * Certificate of Service during the Cold War *.
Then, almost every year, the issue of the Cold War Victory Medal was raised in the US Congress.
Hillary Clinton, as US Secretary of State, sought the official release of the Cold War Victory Medal. However, the medal did not become an official award, and you can already understand why. Because keeping it a secret will definitely not work, and the defeated Russians will immediately have uncomfortable questions and an understanding of their own defeat.
Hillary Clinton - US Secretary of State.
But you can't leave people without recognition, especially those who risked their lives. The Americans really fought with the Russians and won. Therefore, a cunning move was invented. The Cold War Victory Medal was approved and issued, but did not become an official award. Soldiers who served during the Cold War, having a corresponding certificate, can purchase it and wear it along with other awards.
American Cold War veterans with a certificate.
That is, we do not seem to give awards, but we issue certificates and do not prohibit wearing this medal. As you yourself understand, the military with symbols and awards is very strict. You can't put on superfluous and non-regulations.
USA Medal * For Victory in the Cold War *.
The front side of the American medal reads COLD WAR, which means Cold War. Smaller inscription: "Promoting peace and stability", which can be translated as "promoting (spreading) peace and stability." The reverse side of the medal reads "In recognition of your service", that is, "in recognition of your services." And the dates of the beginning and end of the Cold War are put down: from September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991.
Cold War dates on the American medal.
Why these dates? On September 2, 1945, Japan signed its defeat. Which meant the end of World War II. On December 26, 1991, the USSR was dissolved by the Council of the Republics. As you can see, the Americans do not hide anything at all. Just as we celebrate the day of victory over Germany on May 9, after the signing of the act of surrender, so the American military clearly knows the date of their victory in the Soviet Union.
Great Britain Medal * For Victory in the Cold War *.
Another medal was issued in the UK. Three flags are depicted on its obverse: Great Britain, the USSR and the USA. It is written "THE COLD WAR" and affixed to the years 1945-1991. On the reverse side, a British lion and an American eagle attack a Russian bear with a rocket. The British military also knows who they fought against and when they won.
But only Russians, surviving economic reforms, wearing American jeans at American McDonald's, drinking American Coca-Cola, driving American cars, buying American phones and watching American movies, cannot guess what happened to their country. Which was one of the two most powerful states on the planet, and now has become a raw material colony and a market for the West.
The US state flag and the McDonalds flag.
But if you tell the Russians about the Cold War, and even show these medals, they will understand that they have been defeated! In the war! They will understand that the government is occupational, the economy is occupational, education is occupational, culture is occupation. They will begin to rebel. No, that will not do. Let them think that there was a Cold War, but the USSR collapsed by itself, due to natural reasons. Let them work and live better at the direction of the overseas winner.
Author: Artyom Voitenkov