p. 2038. Collapsing Empires: The Cold War Battle for Hearts and Minds, 1953–63
- John W. YoungJohn W. YoungProfessor of International History, The University of Nottingham, UK
- , and John KentJohn KentEmeritus Professor, London School of Economics & Political Science
Abstract
This chapter examines how the United States and the Soviet Union sought to win the hearts and minds of people in various parts of the world as empires began to collapse during the period 1953–63. It begins with a discussion of the end of the French Empire, taking into account the loss of French Indo-China and the start of American involvement in Vietnam, along with the collapse of French rule in Morocco and Tunisia. It then considers the crises in the Congo, Angola, and the Middle East, focusing on the zenith of the Cold War in Black Africa, Britain’s declining power, and the Suez Crisis. It concludes by looking at the end of the British Empire in Africa.
