Question

Why was ‘Thaw’ only partial?

Answer 1

1. The ‘Thaw’ in the Cold War was only partial because, despite some improvements in relations, deep-rooted mistrust and rivalry between the USA and the USSR remained.
2. Even though leaders like Khrushchev worked for peace and took part in international talks, communism and capitalism’s ideological differences were never solved. Both sides kept adding to their nuclear arsenals and trying to gain power around the world.
3. Tensions rose again after the Hungarian Uprising in 1956, which was brutally put down by Soviet forces, and after the U-2 spy plane incident in 1960. These events showed that cooperation had its limits.
4. Therefore, even though there were attempts to make things less hostile, the Thaw did not end the Cold War rivalry; it was only partial and short-term.