The Wretched of the Earth

by

Frantz Fanon

A prolonged period of political tension from 1946 to 1991 between the Soviet Union and its allies (the Eastern Bloc) and the United States and its allies (the Western Bloc) concerning the growing conflict between socialism and capitalism. The Cold War comes into play in The Wretched of the Earth when both the Western and Eastern Blocs try to sway the Third World to their respective causes. Despite being inherently capitalist, the Third World remains politically neutral during the Cold War. Fanon claims that while socialism may be the existential threat of the time to the West, for much of the Third World, the existential threats of the time are European colonialism and the oppression and theft of culture, dignity, and wealth that come with it.

The Cold War Quotes in The Wretched of the Earth

The The Wretched of the Earth quotes below are all either spoken by The Cold War or refer to The Cold War. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
).
Chapter 1: Violence in International Context Quotes

It is clear therefore that the young nations of the Third World are wrong to grovel at the feet of the capitalist countries. We are powerful in our own right and the justness of our position. It is our duty, however, to tell and explain to the capitalist countries that they are wrong to think the fundamental issue of our time is the war between the socialist regime and them.

Page Number: 61
Explanation and Analysis:
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The Cold War Term Timeline in The Wretched of the Earth

The timeline below shows where the term The Cold War appears in The Wretched of the Earth. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1: On Violence
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Capitalism, Socialism, and the Third World Theme Icon
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
...completely supported by socialist countries, will use any weapon to fight the colonists, including the Cold War . The Americans closely guard international capitalism, and they recommend that Europe decolonize. But the... (full context)
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Capitalism, Socialism, and the Third World Theme Icon
...handouts left and right,” and it is a system that has been created by the Cold War . With Neutrality, an underdeveloped country can receive economic aid from either of the two... (full context)
Chapter 1: On Violence in the International Context
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Capitalism, Socialism, and the Third World Theme Icon
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
...so badly, agree to the terms of the colonial power. Under the terms of the Cold War , the formerly colonized become economically dependent on the same colonists who occupied them. The... (full context)
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence Theme Icon
Capitalism, Socialism, and the Third World Theme Icon
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class Theme Icon
...of the times is not a war between capitalism and socialism. Instead of fighting the Cold War , all money and efforts should be put into rehabilitating underdeveloped countries. The Third World... (full context)