Computers And The Cold War: U.S. Policy Of Restrictions On The Export Of Computers To The Soviet Union And China(1949-1979)

Western countries headed by America carry out the policy of containment to socialist countries including Soviet Union and China since the Cold War. The prime measures are political isolation and military containment. With the closeness relationship between countries and the development of economy, trade and technology, America adopted new methods to check the socialist countries. That is the economic means. To some extent, the economic policies and foreign trade means adopted by America are more efficient than political and military means. The policy of hi-tech transfer restriction to Soviet Union and China can check the development of hi-tech in Soviet Union and China and also guarantee the security of the country, which is in accord with the national interest. This paper aimed to analyze the origin, objects, process and consequence of the policy by studying the latest the sources and the hi-tech export restrictions, especially the export restrictions on computers.This paper consists three parts:In the introduction part I Introduced the basis of this paper, significance of research, methods and current situation and related resources.The body part can be divided into three parts. In first part, I introduced the origins of America's trade control policies towards Soviet Union and China. After the Second World War, America wants to inhibit the transportation of strategic materials to Soviet Bloc in order to eradicate the economic roots of war. Since the Cold War broke out, America not only embargoes the shortages in the country, but also embargoes any resources that may strengthen the Soviet Union's military potential. From the study, it is obvious that America changed from strategic goods embargo to hi-tech export restrictions.In the second part, the core part is that America's policy of export restriction on computer to Soviet Union and China. Firstly, I summarize the formation American policy on hi-tech transfer. Secondly, I introduced the export restriction on computer, computer technology and software from the perspectives of both Soviet Union and China.. By adopting this research method, I found that America adopted different policies to Soviet Union and China according to different periods and the subtle relations among the three countries.In the third part, I analyze and evaluate the American policy of export restriction on computer to Soviet Union and China.In the conclusion part, I analyze the purpose and consequence of the American policy of export restriction on computer to Soviet Union and China. Finally, I found the followings, America formulating internal and foreign policy based its country interest. Science and technology are not only the primary productive forces, but also the best standard of measuring a nation's comprehensive strength. During the Cold War, in order to prevent the growing of Soviet Union, America adopted the policy of export restriction on computer, especially the military technology related to country safety; the application of computer is very wide, which includes military, industry, agriculture and information and so on. So America must attach importance to it.