1. Introduction

About this Lecture

Lecture

In this module, we introduce the topic as a whole. In particular, we'll look at how the Cold War can be split into three distinct phases: (i) origins and escalation, 1947-63; (ii) Détente, 1963-79; (iii) renewed escalation, 1979-85; and (iv) genuine détente. In this course, we will focus on the last two phases of the Cold War.

Course

In this course, Professor Andrew Preston (University of Cambridge) examines the end of the Cold War from 1979 to 1991. In the first module, we introduce the topic as a whole. After this, we examine the period of renewed escalation from 1979 to 1985. We then turn to examine the period of détente from 1985 to 1989. In the penultimate module, we answer the question "Why did the Cold War end?". In the final module, we explore what the world looked like after the Cold War.

Lecturer

Professor Andrew Preston is Professor of American History at the University of Cambridge. He specialises in the history of American foreign relations, primarily since 1898. He has published widely on this subject, including his books The War Council: McGeorge Bundy, the NSC, and Vietnam, Sword of the Spirit; Shield of Faith: Religion in American War and Diplomacy; and American Foreign Relations: A Very Short Introduction.