The "Cold War" is one of the most interesting "wars" fought in the history of the world. The sheer number of countries involved, both directly and indirectly, is enough to beg the question: to what extent was the Cold War a truly global war? This essay will examine this idea. It will identify two main areas of discussion, focusing on the first part of the conflict (1945-1963). Firstly it will examine the growing US and Soviet influence in the world after 1945. Secondly it will examine three major conflicts, the Berlin Blockade, the Korean War and the Cuban Missile Crisis in which these two superpowers were involved. Overall, this essay will discuss that the Cold War was undoubtedly a truly global war. To understand this idea, we must first define what exactly would constitute a “Global War.” In my opinion, a global war is one that involves a number of countries, directly or indirectly, and which has the potential to transform the world. A good example of this would be World War I (1914-18). It was a conflict which, although taking place in Europe, involved countries such as New Zealand, Australia and the United States, all three countries located at a great distance from the actual conflict area. Since it involves much of the world, this would constitute a global war. Now that the idea of ​​global war has been established, it is important to establish the role of the United States (US). One of the most important documents in establishing this was the “Truman Doctrine.” President Harry S. Truman (1945-53) outlined what would become the basis of U.S. foreign policy throughout the Cold War. This was the policy of containment: trying to stop communism from spreading to the rest of the world. His speech to Congress on March 19... middle of paper... in Blockade and the Use of the United Nations, Foreign Affairs, 50, 1, 1971, p. 172Jervis, Robert, 'The Impact of the Korean War on the Cold War', The Journal of Conflict Solution, 24, 4, 1980, p. 580Kennedy, Robert F., Thirteen Days: a memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis, New York, 1969, pp. 23, 34, 35Satterthwaite, Joseph C., 'The Truman Doctrine: Turkey', Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 401, 1972 pp. 76-78 Shlaim, Avi, 'Britain, the Berlin Blockade and the Cold War', International Affairs (Royal Institute of International Affairs 1944-), 60, 1, 1983-84, pp. 8- 9Stern, Sheldon M., The Week the World Stood Still: Inside the Cuban Missile Crisis, Stanford, 2005, p. 150Thompson, William R and Rasler, Karen A., 'War and Systemic Capability Reconcentration' The Journal of Conflict Resolution, 32, 2, 1988, p.. 337