To what extent you would agree that the period 1948-1953 there was a thaw in the superpower relations

The Orthodox school of thought had always put emphasis that Stalin’s personality which had driven his foreign policy was the real culprit in the hostility of the Cold War. Stalin’s actions in 1945 was seen in the West as part of a concerted attempt to expand the communist world. The West had come to the conclusion that Stalin was untrustworthy and operated in suspicion and fear. The death of Stalin meant that the dynamics of Cold War relations were likely to be different. However, Revisionists historians such as W.McCagg and W.Hahn argued that Stalin was only one player in a complex political game. However, whether or not his personality was relative to Soviet foreign policy, by 1948-49 the policies were shifting away. The failure of Soviet blockade of Berlin, the formation of NATO and the defection of Yugoslavia from Cominform meant that new policies were needed to be employed in regards to Soviet’s approach to the West. Malenkov who took over after the death of Stalin understood that the inevitable war as perceived by Stalin between communism and capitalism was no longer necessary. He believed that much of Soviet economy could be improved if resources concentrated on building of firearms and heavy industry were shifted towards consumer goods and raising the living standards in USSR. This ‘New Course’ did not mark the cooperation between both ideologies, but Malenkov believed that capitalism would self-destruct thus did not see the point in investing state funds for weaponry when war was to be avoided. This policy was adopted by Khrushchev and developed it as ‘Peaceful Coexistence’ after the removal of Malenkov as Prime Minister in 1955. He believed that this was the way to establish a form of dialogue with the West whilst waiting for the downfall of capitalism. It was either cooperation or the nuclear war.

Avoiding nuclear war was essential to the thaw of relationship between US and Soviets. Both superpowers possessed atomic bombs by 1949 and the Hydrogen bomb by 1955. The destructive force of these bombs posed a danger to the existence of life on earth. This forced both leaders to accommodate each other. Eisenhower’s ascend to presidency helped put a stop on the arms race as he realized the destructive force of nuclear weapons. He was aware that much of America’s resources went to arms production. Nuclear missiles were too expensive and the US economy could potentially be distorted and unbalanced. This problem can only be solved through communication with the Soviet leaders as they are facing with the same economic problems.

In the period of 1948 to 1953, there was a slight change in the relations of  Soviets and the West. Through the consolidation of positions in Europe, both sides felt more comfortable to begin negotiation whereas previously shaky security and sphere of influence led to the abandoning of idea of possible cooperation. The death of Stalin and his failed policies meant that Soviets could take a different approach in regards with the West and this proved possible as Stalin’s successors showed more tolerance to the west through the ‘Peaceful Coexistence’. Eisenhower and his state secretary Dulles realized the economic hardship internally and was forced to abandon the idea of an arms race, Soviet’s resources were limited and felt the economic strains in trying to compete in an arms race with the West. Both overstretching their economic resources, the US and the Soviets felt that a more diplomatic approach on matters was in the interest of both countries. Therefore, it is safe to say that there had been a ‘thaw’ in super power relation in the period of 1948-1953.