The Cold War And The Soviet Union

“There was a prejudicial feeling toward American players that the 1980 Winter Olympics helped to turn around,” adds ESPN analyst Bill Clement, a Canadian who was playing in the NHL in 1980. “Before then, the criticism of American players was that they weren't tough enough, couldn't score when they had to, and couldn't win big games for you or with you. That mentality began to change after 1980.”

The “Miracle on Ice,” where the United States defeated the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York will forever be known as one of the greatest moments in American sports history. This game was about more than just sports though, it signified American strength, even when faced the greatest adversities. The United States was suffering through Vietnam, Watergate, and the wrenching upheavals of the 1960s. Many believe this game was even the beginning of the end for the Cold War. The Soviet Union had won the gold medal in six of the seven previous Winter Olympic Games, and were the favorites to win once more in Lake Placid. The team consisted primarily of professional players with significant experience

Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau brought up the idea to Soviet Primer Alexi Kosygni , while he was visiting Canada . Trudeau proposed that Canada's best players would play Russia's best players in a series of friendly games (Rutley), hoping it would relieve some tension between the USA and USSR in there conflict in trying to prove that one's country should be the "super power" nation (Vancouver Island University). The Series was to only played between the Canadians and Russians nobody else because it was based on two nations facing off for the hockey supreme title (CBC Sports). It created a propaganda of Democracy vs. Communism Cold War according to hockey historians who have examine the event . ( Marsh ) After the lost to the Canadians, the USSR made Canada its sport enemy . Even to this day, Russia, has no respect towards Canada in playing them in IIHF Juniors ,IIHF Worlds or Olympics . For example, during both IIHF Gold Medal games in 2015, Canada beat Russia and after shaking with team Canada the Russians would leave the ice ,not staying for the Canadian anthem, which is a lack of respect towards Canada. To conclude , sports played a crucial role in the cold war , providing Russia a reason to hate Canada because of the fact that they've never been beaten before in hockey

The most memorable moment in hockey history came thirty-four years ago with the 1980 Miracle on Ice. The Americans defeating the dominant Soviet team at the Olympics was not only an important triumph for USA Hockey, but for the entire nation. Contrary to popular belief, the underdog win was not only the result of a miracle; it was also the result of a hard-working team led by Coach Herb Brooks. With increasingly negative views on the position of the United States in the Cold War, the Miracle on Ice and the gold medal win lifted the spirits of the nation and brought hockey into the American spotlight.

When Team USA beat the Soviet in 1980 it was important for the US hockey world because that team was seeded seventh entering the game against the Soviet Union. During the 1980 Olympic run the average age was 22 and all the players that year were both amateur and college players and the Soviet’s team was mainly professional and experienced players. This win gave coach Herb Brooks a place in history because he did something no other USA coach has done for the last twenty years and that is beat Russia, and he was named sportsman of the year in 1990.

During the Cold war, tensions were high between the US and the USSR. The two countries always wanted to show that they were the most dominant. One of the ways that the USSR showed dominance was through the Olympics and ice hockey. The hockey game between the US and the USSR during the 1980 Winter Olympics was a turning point in the Cold War. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) was said to be the best of all the teams in Olympic hockey. The 1980 Olympic hockey game between the US and the USSR was a significant turning point in the Cold War and also reflected the tension of it.

To the average individual, the word “miracle” has many meanings. However, to the avid hockey fan, the word “Miracle” is vernacular that will be forever engrained in their hearts and history books. While the term itself is broad, miracles turn doubters into believers. This was exactly the case during the 1980 United States Olympic Hockey team shocked the world. In 1980, the U.S. men’s hockey team, consisting of college players and hopeful pros, won Olympic gold. No other Olympic performance was so uniting and inspiring to our nation. Upon scoring the game-winner and clinching the gold medal, Eruzione's goal triggered a spontaneous national celebration of amazing proportions. Overcome with joy, our nation celebrated with a display of

After World War II, the United States and the Soviets, considerably the two greatest superpowers of that time went from allies to enemies as we entered the era of the Cold war. During this period of time, there were critical turning points that proved vital in the revitalization of the American vitality. One of these pivotal moments derived from the outcome of the 1980 Winter Olympic games. The USA hockey teams defeat over the Soviets boosted the spirits of the American soldiers, as well as the American people. On the contrary, the Soviet Union saw their power dwindle after their major defeat in the Winter Olympic games. This critical shift made way for the downfall of the Soviets reign as a major superpower. To further recognize the Winter Olympic games as an imperative turning point in the Cold War, one must educate oneself on previous history.

People consider the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to be one of the greatest things to happen in U.S Olympic history. Their game against the Soviets is known as "The Miracle on Ice." The world was stunned when the United States defeated the Soviets in the semi-final game of the 1980 Olympics. The Soviets hadn't been beaten in the gold medal game in years. This miracle game is still greatly known around the world and will not be forgotten by Americans any time soon.

The beginning of the Olympics went well for them going undefeated, with one tie, and this led them to make the semi-finals where they would play the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union team was so good that they made it look easy to beat the NHL all-star team. Also, theUnited States had just played the Soviet Union and lost miserably right before the Olympics. The Soviet Union was returning to the Olympic to try and win their third consecutive gold medal. Although all of this being said the United States pulled one of the greatest upset in sports history by beating the Soviet Union that day. They went on to beat Finland in the final to win Gold for only the second time in the history of U.S. hockey. Miracle a true story that focuses how the hiring of Herb Brooks and his leadership throughout the story brings together a random group of talented college hockey players and turns them into a gold medal winning

Originally, ice hockey played a different role for the two countries. Hockey provided Canada an opportunity to develop a distinctive national identity. However, hockey allowed the Soviet Union to gain more recognition around the world. For the Soviets, the Series was an opportunity to demonstrate the dominance of socialism, surprise Canada with their skills and claim the Canadian game as their own. Whereas for Canadians, hockey was a way to build closer ties with the Soviet Union, and demonstrate their independence from the United States. Canada winning the series showed the world that they were a powerful nation ultimately showing democracy-beating communism. Canadians used the Summit Series as means of coming together to support their team and defend their national symbol, hockey. Moreover, for Canadians the Summit Series was intended to be a celebration of their global supremacy in ice hockey. Over the course of the month, the games captured the imagination of both nations; where players were swept away with the extra-sporting significance that the games had produced.

In the book, Friday Night Lights, H.G. Bissinger depicts the culture of a small town called Odessa where economic instability, racial prejudice, sexism, and poverty are common. The one thing this town can truly hang onto is the local high school football team. In Miracle on Ice, directed by Steven Hilliard Stern, the head coach of the American Olympic Hockey Team Herb Brooks is determined to gather up an American team to beat the Russians in their own game, ice hockey. In both works, unity is an important theme that is reached through different means. In Miracle the elements of socioeconomic class and race were not a factor in unifying the team. While in Friday Night Lights those factors were extremely important throughout the context of what unity means in the story. The unity in Miracle is more constructive because it was more easily achieved because it was more well defined, it was simply to defeat the Russians and bring glory and pride to the nation. Whereas in Odessa the mission was more unclear. In a time where America was facing a “Crisis in Confidence” the U.S. Olympic Hockey brought the nation together. Although Permian football was effective in unifying and giving hope to many of its citizens, the football culture was also used to create division among different races and social classes ,and therefore was destructive.

When Team USA beat the Soviet in 1980 it was important for the US hockey world because that team was seeded seventh entering the game against the Soviet Union. During the 1980 Olympic run the average was 22 and all the players were that year were both amateur and college players and the Soviet’s team was mainly professional and experienced players. This win gave coach Herb Brooks a place in history because he did something no other USA coach has done for the last twenty years and that is beat Russia, and he was named sportsman of the year in 1990.

In conclusion, the hockey team managed to overcome the odds and win the Olympic something that nobody thought was possible. Unity was achieved and the lost hopes that the public had at the start was reignited and they cheered on the team as a way to also cheer on the United States in the fight against the Soviet Union. Beating the Soviets in their own game was an incredible achievement that left a blow and inspired future athletes about what can be achieve with hard work and

Synopsis: When the USSR hockey team took on the United States in the 1980 Olympics, more than just a gold medal was on the line. Probably one of the most political games in history, this particular game symbolized one of many “battles” of the Cold War. In the, movie Miracle, this story of the underdog is told over, with a strong focus on American coach Herb Brooks and his relationship with his team. The movie highlights the extremely hard work done by the team and the demanding Coach Brooks unrelenting passion to win no matter what. The crux of the movie lies within the game with the Soviet union and those stomach wrenching moments before the game even started, as players knew that at this point it was make it or break it.