How far were the personalities of Truman and Stalin responsible for the increased tension between the USA and the Soviet Union in the years 1945-1950?

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How far were the personalities of Truman and Stalin responsible for the increased tension between the USA and the Soviet Union in the years 1945-1950?

Tension increased dramatically between 1945 and 1950. Initially co-operation looked highly likely, with both the US and USSR armies demobilising, both countries suffering severe economic difficulty and America’s isolationist policy. However, relations rapidly deteriorated due to documentation produced such as the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Aid Plan, agreements made at the Yalta and Potsdam conferences (and violations of their terms) and events such as the Berlin Blockade. All of these were affected and arguably caused by the personalities of Truman and Stalin. It is widely believed, particularly amongst Revisionist historians, that the personalities of Stalin (who was ambitious, paranoid and communist) and Truman (who was capitalist and adopted an ‘Iron fist’ approach) were responsible for the increase in tension. However, ideological differences (Capitalism and Communism) rather than differences of personality were the most responsible for the increased tension as their personalities were merely a reflection of the systems they presided over.

It is undeniable that relations between the two countries significantly worsened after Truman became president, partly due to how although the former President Roosevelt disagreed with Stalin’s policies he was willing to co-operate with him and trusted him. However, although Truman initially tried to continue Roosevelt’s policy of accommodation with the USSR, his inexperience and insecurities lead him to become suspicious of Stalin and adopt an ‘Iron fist’ approach. The personality of Truman in particular contributed directly to the deterioration of relations between the US and USSR. Truman was politically inexperienced and relied heavily upon his advisers, stating in 1946 that, ‘Unless Russia is faced with an iron fist and strong language, another war is in the making’. He was also naïve and gullible, believing the George Kennan telegram which contained only the opinion of the American Embassy in Russia, and no actual evidence as Russia has demobilised. Historian Daniel Yergin emphasised the influence of ‘Riga axioms’: upper class intelligentsia based in Riga, who were anti-Bolshevik and influenced the reports sent back to the USA. Truman’s decision to make US foreign policy more assertive implies that it was his personality that was to blame, at least in part, for the Cold War, but ideological, political and economic factors also caused this.

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The Yalta and Potsdam conferences were held to ease tension that inevitably existed between America and Russia due to the power vacuum (both countries being drawn to protect their interests). Stalin was present at both conferences, Truman only the latter (as he became president afterwards: America had been represented by President Roosevelt). They agreed to split Germany into four zones, four sectors in Berlin and to establish a four power control council. They agreed to set up the United Nations, the Declaration on Liberated Europe was signed and reparations arranged. However, tension was already emerging as the Declaration ...

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