HISTORY OF THE DECISIVE WAR BETWEEN EAST AND WEST: PEACE SECURITY AND THE WORLD SERIES 2

By Dr. LI, JIN WEI

For 2500 years, the world has witnessed numerous wars, conflicts, and battles, each with its unique story, causes, and consequences. Among the most significant conflicts in history are those that pitted the East against the West, with battles that shook the foundations of civilisations and reshaped the world's political, social, and economic landscape.
The East and West have a long and complicated history of interactions, with cultural, political, and economic exchanges since ancient times. However, these interactions were only sometimes peaceful, and the two regions often found themselves at odds, competing for power and influence over each other.
From the battles between the Greeks and Persians to the Crusades, from the conquests of Alexander the Great to the conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and the European powers, the East and West have engaged in numerous wars and battles that have left a lasting impact on history. However, one conflict stands out as the most decisive and consequential of them all: the war between the East and West in the 20th century.
The 20th century was a time of unprecedented change and upheaval, with the world witnessing two devastating world wars, empires rising and falling, and the emergence of new superpowers. At the heart of many of these events was the struggle between the East and West, as two ideological and political systems clashed in a battle for dominance.
The war between the East and West was not a single battle but a series of confrontations over several decades. It began in the aftermath of World War II, as the Soviet Union and the United States emerged as the dominant powers in the world. The two nations had vastly different political and economic systems, with the Soviet Union advocating for communism and the United States championing capitalism and democracy.
The conflict between the two nations was driven by a deep-seated ideological divide, with each side viewing the other as threatening its way of life. The Soviet Union sought to spread communism worldwide, while the United States sought to contain its spread and promote democracy and capitalism.
The war between the East and West played out on multiple fronts, including military, political, economic, and cultural arenas. It led to proxy wars in Vietnam, Korea, and Afghanistan and intense political and economic competition in Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LI JIN WEI
• Release date: Feb 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9781990861307

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

For 2500 years, the world has witnessed numerous wars, conflicts, and battles, each with its unique story, causes, and consequences. Among the most significant conflicts in history are those that pitted the East against the West, with battles that shook the very foundations of civilizations and reshaped the world's political, social, and economic landscape.

The East and West have a long and complicated history of interactions, with cultural, political, and economic exchanges since ancient times. However, these interactions were not always peaceful, and the two regions often found themselves at odds, competing for power and influence over each other.

From the battles between the Greeks and Persians to the Crusades, from the conquests of Alexander the Great to the conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and the European powers, the East and West have engaged in numerous wars and battles that have left a lasting impact on history. However, one conflict stands out as the most decisive and consequential of them all: the war between the East and West in the 20th century.

The 20th century was a time of unprecedented change and upheaval, with the world witnessing two devastating world wars, empires rising and falling, and the emergence of new superpowers. At the heart of many of these events was the struggle between the East and West, as two ideological and political systems clashed in a battle for dominance.

The war between the East and West was not a single battle but a series of confrontations over several decades. It began in the aftermath of World War II, as the Soviet Union and the United States emerged as the dominant powers in the world. The two nations had vastly different political and economic systems, with the Soviet Union advocating for communism and the United States championing capitalism and democracy.

The conflict between the two nations was driven by a deep-seated ideological divide, with each side viewing the other as threatening its way of life. The Soviet Union sought to spread communism worldwide, while the United States sought to contain its spread and promote democracy and capitalism.

The war between the East and West played out on multiple fronts, including military, political, economic, and cultural arenas. It led to proxy wars in Vietnam, Korea, and Afghanistan and intense political and economic competition in Europe, Africa, and Latin America. The conflict also profoundly impacted the global balance of power, shaping the world we live in today.

The war between the East and West was marked by intense tension and confrontation, as well as periods of détente and cooperation. It saw the development of new military technologies and strategies, including the arms race and nuclear deterrence. It also introduced new diplomatic and economic institutions like the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the United Nations.

Despite the high stakes and enormous consequences, the war between the East and West is often overlooked or dismissed as a relic of the past. However, its legacy can still be felt today as the world grapples with political, economic, and ideological conflict issues. The East-West battle is a cautionary tale, warning us of the perils of ideological extremism, political division, and armed conflict.

This book will explore the war between the East and West, delving into the causes, events, and consequences of this historic conflict. From the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union to the soldiers and civilians caught up in the conflict, we will examine the key players. We will analyze the strategies and tactics employed by both sides, from the development of new military technologies to the use of propaganda and diplomacy. We will consider the impact of the war on the world today as we seek to understand the lessons of this decisive conflict between the East and West.

Throughout the book, we will draw on various sources, from historical documents and government archives to personal memoirs and oral histories. We will provide a balanced and nuanced perspective on the war, seeking to understand both sides' complex motivations and actions.

Our goal is not simply to provide a blow-by-blow account of the conflict but to offer a deeper understanding of its significance and legacy. We will look at how the war changed the world's political and economic institutions, from the advent of the United States as a global superpower through the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. We will explore how the war shaped popular culture, from films and novels to music and art. We will consider the ongoing debates and controversies surrounding the war, including questions of responsibility, accountability, and justice.

Ultimately, this book is an invitation to explore one of the most consequential conflicts in history, a war that shaped the world we live in today. We hope it will inspire readers to think critically about the complex issues and challenges facing our world, engage in meaningful dialogue, and debate about how we can build a more peaceful and just future.

CHAPTER ONE

THE PERSIAN WARS (492-449 BCE) - CONFLICT BETWEEN GREECE AND THE PERSIAN EMPIRE

From 492 BCE until 449 BCE, the Persian Wars were a series of wars between Greek city-states and the Persian Empire. The highlights and timeline of the Persian Wars are as follows:

492 BCE: The Persian King Darius I launches the first Persian invasion of Greece, sending an army to punish Athens and Eretria for supporting a rebellion in Ionia.

In 492 BCE, the Persian King Darius I launched the first Persian invasion of Greece, marking the beginning of a series of conflicts known as the Persian Wars. The invasion was a response to the support given by Athens and Eretria to the Ionian Greeks who had rebelled against Persian rule. Darius saw this as a challenge to his authority and decided to punish the Greek cities.

Background

Cyrus the Great built the Persian Empire in 550 BCE, and it was the largest and most powerful empire of its day. It spanned from modern-day Turkey to India in the east and from Central Asia to Egypt in the north and south. The Persian Empire was known for its wealth, military might, and cultural achievements, including the construction of magnificent buildings such as the Palace of Persepolis.

The Greeks, on the other hand, were a collection of city-states that had been engaged in frequent wars with each other. However, they shared a common culture and language, and their achievements in philosophy, literature, and the arts were to have a lasting impact on Western civilization.

The Ionian Greeks, who lived on the coast of modern-day Turkey, were part of the Persian Empire but maintained their own culture and traditions. In 499 BCE, the Ionian Greeks rebelled against Persian rule, seeking independence and autonomy. Athens and Eretria, two powerful Greek city-states, sent aid to the rebels, which infuriated Darius.

The Invasion

In 492 BCE, Darius decided to launch an invasion of Greece to punish Athens and Eretria for their support of the Ionian rebels. He sent an army, commanded by his generals Mardonius and Datis, to Greece, with orders to subjugate the rebellious cities and bring them under Persian control.

The Persian army, estimated to be around 20,000 strong, sailed to the Aegean and landed on the island of Naxos, which they quickly conquered. They then sailed to the mainland and attacked the city of Eretria, which fell after a siege. The Persians then sailed to Athens, hoping to take the city without a fight.

The Athenians, led by the general Themistocles, had prepared for the invasion by building a fleet of triremes (warships). They knew that they could not match the Persian army in a land battle, so they decided to fight at sea. The Athenian fleet met the Persian fleet off the coast of Athens, and a fierce battle ensued. The Persians were defeated, and their fleet was forced to retreat.

Aftermath

The Persian invasion of Greece was a failure, and Darius was forced to abandon his plans to conquer the Greek city-states. However, the invasion had significant consequences for both sides.

For the Persians, the defeat at the Battle of Marathon was a humiliation. Darius was determined to avenge this defeat and launched a second invasion of Greece in 480 BCE, under the command of his son Xerxes. This invasion was much larger and more successful than the first, and it led to the famous battles of Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea.

For the Greeks, the victory over the Persians at Marathon was a significant achievement. It gave them confidence in their ability to defend themselves against foreign invaders. It marked the beginning of a long period of cultural and political flourishing known as the Golden Age of Greece.

Conclusion

In 492 BCE, the first Persian invasion of Greece marked a watershed moment in Greek history. It marked the beginning of a series of conflicts known as the Persian Wars, which would shape the destiny of Greece and the wider Mediterranean world for decades to come. The Persian invasion was a response to the support given to the Ionian rebels by Athens and Eretria, and it demonstrated the Persian Empire's determination to maintain control over its subject peoples. When the Athenians overcame the Persians at the Battle of Marathon, they achieved a significant triumph. Who had successfully defended their city and gained independence. However, it also set the stage for future conflicts, as the Persians were determined to avenge their defeat and reestablish their authority over Greece. The events of 492 BCE marked the beginning of a long and complex struggle between East and West, which would have far-reaching consequences for the history of the Mediterranean and the world.

490 BCE: The Battle of Marathon takes place, where the Athenians, under the leadership of Miltiades, defeat the Persians and prevent their invasion of Greece.

The Fight of Marathon in 490 BCE was a watershed moment in Greek history since it represented the first Persian invasion of Greece as well as the first major battle of the Persian Wars. The battle was fought between the Athenian army, headed by Miltiades, and the Persian army, led by Datis and Artaphernes, on the plain of Marathon, some 26 miles northeast of Athens.

Background

The Persian King Darius I had been expanding his empire in the eastern Mediterranean and had already conquered the Greek colonies in Ionia. In 499 BCE, the Greeks in Ionia rebelled against Persian rule, and Athens and Eretria sent aid to the rebels. In retaliation, Darius launched an invasion of Greece in 492 BCE, which was unsuccessful due to a storm that destroyed much of his fleet. Darius then began preparations for a second invasion, which took place in 490 BCE.

The Athenians received warnings of the Persian invasion and sent messengers to the other Greek city-states, asking for help. The Spartans agreed to send troops, but they were delayed due to religious festivals, and the Athenians were left to face the Persians alone.

The Battle

The Persian army, estimated to be around 25,000 strong, landed at Marathon and set up camp on the plain. The Athenian army, led by Miltiades, numbered approximately 10,000, and they marched to Marathon to confront the Persians.

Miltiades devised a strategy that played to the strengths of the Athenian hoplite phalanx. He arranged his troops in a narrow formation, with the strongest soldiers on the wings and the weaker soldiers in the centre. The Athenians then charged at the Persian army, breaking their lines and pushing them back.

The Persians responded by attacking the recenter of the Athenian formation, where they were met with fierce resistance. However, the Athenian wings were able to flank the Persian army and attack from the sides, causing chaos and confusion among the Persian ranks.

The Athenians pushed the Persians back towards the sea, where many of them drowned while trying to reach their ships. The rest of the Persian army retreated to their ships and sailed away, leaving behind their dead and wounded.

Aftermath

The Athenians won a decisive victory at Marathon, and they had prevented the Persian invasion of Greece. According to Herodotus, the Greek casualties were 192, while the Persians lost around 6,400 men.

The victory at Marathon was significant for several reasons. Firstly, it was a major morale boost for the Greeks, who had faced a much larger and more powerful enemy and had emerged victorious. It gave them confidence in their ability to defend their homeland against foreign invaders.

Secondly, the victory at Marathon established the reputation of the Athenian hoplite phalanx as an effective military formation. The hoplites, armed with spears and shields, were able to withstand the Persian cavalry and archers and win the battle through sheer force of numbers and discipline.

Finally, the victory at Marathon had political consequences for Athens. Miltiades had led the Athenians to victory, and his reputation was greatly enhanced as a result. He was later accused of treason and died in prison, but his son Cimon would become a prominent Athenian general and statesman.

The Athenians also began to build a series of long walls that would connect Athens to its port city of Piraeus, allowing them to protect their town and control the sea routes. These walls would later be known as the Long Walls of Athens.

Conclusion

The Battle of Marathon was a significant event in Greek history, marking the first Persian invasion of Greece and the first major battle of the Persian Wars. The Athenians, under the leadership

480 BCE: The second Persian invasion of Greece begins under the command of King Xerxes.

The second Persian invasion of Greece in 480 BCE was a pivotal event in Greek history, as it marked the continuation of the Persian Wars and the attempt by the Persian Empire, under the command of King Xerxes, to conquer Greece. The Persian army invaded Greece by land and sea. After beating and burning Athens, they were ultimately defeated by the Greek coalition, led by Sparta, at the Battle of Plataea.

Background

Following the defeat of Darius I at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, the Persians continued to expand their empire in the eastern Mediterranean, and they saw Greece as a strategic and economic target. King Xerxes succeeded his father, Darius I, and began preparations for a second invasion of Greece in 480 BCE.

The Persian army, estimated to be around 100,000 strong, included troops from all parts of the Persian Empire and was supported by a fleet of ships from the Persian navy. The Greeks, on the other hand, had formed a coalition of city-states, with Sparta providing the majority of the troops.

The Battle

The Persian army crossed the Hellespont into Europe and advanced towards Greece, encountering little resistance along the way. They conquered and burned Athens, which had been abandoned by its inhabitants, and proceeded towards the Isthmus of Corinth, where the Greek coalition had gathered.

The Greek coalition, led by Sparta, had devised a strategy to defend against the Persian invasion. They planned to defend the narrow pass of Thermopylae, where a small force of Spartan soldiers and their allies could hold off the Persian army, while the Greek navy would block the Persian fleet from landing troops along the coast.

The Greeks were victorious in holding off the Persians at Thermopylae for three days. Still, a resident named Ephialtes revealed a mountain path that allowed the Persians to flank the Greeks and attack them from behind. The Greeks were forced to retreat, and the Persians continued their advance towards Athens.

Meanwhile, the Greek navy engaged the Persian fleet in the straits of Artemisium. The Greeks were initially successful in preventing the Persians from landing troops, but a storm destroyed many of the Greek ships, and they were forced to retreat.

The Persian army reached Athens, which had been evacuated, and proceeded to burn and destroy the city. They then marched towards the Peloponnese, where they encountered the Greek coalition at the Battle of Plataea.

The Battle of Plataea was a decisive battle in the Persian Wars. The Greek coalition, led by the Spartan general Pausanias, had assembled a force of around 80,000 troops and faced the Persian army, which was estimated to be around 200,000 strong.

The Persians attacked the Greek lines, but the Greeks held their ground and pushed back the Persian flanks. The Greek hoplites, armed with spears and shields, were able to withstand the Persian cavalry and archers and win the battle through sheer force of numbers and discipline.

The Persian army suffered heavy casualties, and King Xerxes himself was forced to flee the battlefield. The Persians were ultimately defeated, and the Greek coalition emerged victorious.

Aftermath

The Persian defeat at Plataea marked the end of the Persian Wars and the second Persian invasion of Greece. The Greeks had successfully defended their homeland against a much larger and more powerful enemy, and they had demonstrated their military strength and unity.

The victory at Plataea had significant political and cultural consequences for Greece. It marked the beginning of the golden age of Athens, as the city-state emerged as the dominant power in Greece and embarked on a period of cultural and intellectual flourishing.

The Persian Wars also had lasting effects on the relationship between Greece and Persia.

479 BCE: The Greek navy, led by Athens, defeats the Persian navy at the Battle of Mycale, ending Persian naval power in the Aegean.

The Battle of Mycale in 479 BCE was the final naval battle of the Persian Wars, fought between the Greek navy, led by Athens, and the Persian navy, which was attempting to suppress a Greek rebellion in Ionia. The battle took place off the coast of Mycale, near the city of Ephesus, and it marked the end of Persian naval power in the Aegean.

Background

After the Persians were defeated at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BCE, the Persian navy retreated to the eastern Mediterranean, where it was still