Why did the Cold War start
Why did the Cold War start? After the Second World War, a hostile atmosphere developed between the USA and the USSR, which grew into an intense rivalry called the Cold War. The cause of the Cold War has been attributed by some historians, to the invention of nuclear weapons as it led to distrust and fear between the two nations. The Atomic Bomb had been displayed at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the war and simultaneously alerting the USSR to the power that America now held, as "The Soviets were clearly aware that the weapon existed and rational enough not to tempt the Americans to use them against the Soviet Union."1 However, although the invention of nuclear weapon played a significant part in creating the tension that led to the Cold War, other factors have to be taken into consideration. A key element that has to be taken into consideration is the differing ideological stances of both the USA and the USSR. After the Second World War, America believed that the ideas of fascism were to be replaced with capitalism and democracy, while the USSR believed that it should be replaced with Communism. It has been argued that 'the Cold War is generally regarded as a conflict between the East and West or between communism and capitalism.' 2 The differences in ideological thinking led to the aggressive American policy of Containment and the introduction of the Marshall Aid, which
Origins of the Cold War.
Chapter 29 Cold War Salil Shah Per 3 I. Origins of the Cold War A. Sources of American Soviet Tension Had difference in view of post war world. US supported the view in which nations gave up traditional military alliances, and dealt with each other in a democratic process, with an international org. as mediator. Britain and Soviets favored view where system of traditional European balance of powers would reemerge. B. War time Diplomacy By Jan 1943 a strain in relations with soviets was evident as Stalin refused to meet with Churchill and Roosevelt. The 2 refused Stalins'most immediate demand to have a 2 european fronts, but assured him that they would have unconditional surrender of Axis powers and they would not leave soviets out of peace negotiations. In Teharan Conference relations between Stalin and Roosevelt became better as Stalin agreed to enter Pacific once hotstilities in Europe died down, and US agreed to 2 front western war. However there was tension on who would lead Poland once war was over. They avoided the issue by leaving it unresolved. C. Yalta In Feb. 1945the big three met in Soviet Union. Stalin was promised some territory lost in Jap Soviet war of 1904, in pacific. Also agreed to UN charter with a security council, with members from 5 major powers. Issue of Polish government was compromised. Soviets had occupied Poland and installed the pro
Why did the Cold War End?
Why did the Cold War End? Tauseef Ahmed United States History May 13th 2004 Why did the Cold War End? One of the main events of the war-filled twentieth century was the Cold War - a state of tension between the United States of America and the Soviet Union from nineteen forty five, at the beginning of the Soviet expansion of communism in newly formed countries after Word War II, opposed by the United States to nineteen eighty nine with the fall of the Berlin Wall. The main focus of this research will be to state the reasons as to why this hugely acknowledged war comes to an end. It was the most unexpected event that happened and the credit must be given to the leaders on both sides. The Cold War eventually came to an end in 1989 as a result of Gorbachev's Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (reconstruction) policies; the Soviet's declining communist economy, the costly arms race, and the freedom issues among Baltic Republics, Poland, and East Germany within the Soviet bloc itself. When Mikhail Gorbachev became the General Secretary of the Soviet Union in 1985, he was determined to end corruption in the Soviet economy and get the U.S.S.R. back on its feet. To achieve this goal he announced two new policies Glasnost and Perestroika. Glasnost or openness was the policy that ended the strict censorship, allowed Soviet citizens to speak openly about their society's problems
Causes of the Cold War
Causes of the Cold War There were far reaching ideological, economic and political differences between the United States and the Soviet Union before the start of the Second World War, of which were intensified as a result shared suspicions following the Second World War. . Primary Causes Ideological: The United States and the Soviet Union represent two opposing systems of government. In the United States, the government is elected, and thus influenced by the freedom of elections. The public is able to form political parties in order to express their political positions. Americans also possess the right of assembly, of press, and the right of speech. Now, in the Soviet Union of Russia, the government is fashioned by the hands of the Communist Party. Unlike the United States, the Russian people do not have the right to form their own parties. In addition to this, they are not entitled to the right of assembly, of press, or of speech. These two systems of government are entirely opposed to each other. As a result, there was little room for any compromise whatsoever between Russia and the United States. Economics: The U.S. desired to push for free trade throughout the world; however, Russia desired to defend her own area from international commerce. The fear from the Russian perspective was that trade with the West would involve risking Russia's totalitarian regime at the
In what ways is the post-Cold War international order different from the Cold War international order?
In what ways is the post-Cold War international order different from the Cold War international order? The fall of the Soviet Union in 1989 is viewed by many to be the most important and defining political moment in political history since the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. There can be no doubt that there have been major structural changes in world politics since the death of the Soviet Union. Its successor states generally chose a pro-western, democratic and capitalistic political direction over that of their former communist system. The argument then follows that this is indicative of the new world order's major difference from that of the old cold war order, as it symbolises the transformation from the bipolar old world order split between two super powers and their ideologies, to that of the new world order in which we see a world becoming united behind a new single liberal ideology led by the USA. Hence, the USA with their ascension to the role of single world super power has become the leader of the new world order, and sees its role as bringing countries into a new liberal regime. As demonstrated in former president George Bushes state of the union address in 1991 "It is a big idea: a new world order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to achieve universal aspirations of mankind, peace and security, freedom, and the rule of law."1 These
When did the Cold War Begin?
When did the Cold War Begin? The Term 'Cold War' gained popularity shortly after the Second World War. It describes a state of extreme hostility between the Great Powers (in this case the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (SU)), it is usually associated with arms races, diplomatic conflict, and hostile measures of every kind, short of out right military action between the two Great Powers themselves. They did wage war but usually through proxies, where the conflict was localised and only involved one of the Great Powers. This question has been debated on many occasions, as there is no straightforward answer. Some claim that this all began (Cold War) way back to the Russian revolution of 1917. When the Communists gained power in Russia and made drastic changes to the way in which the country was previously run. This very much angered the West as Capitalism and Communism have much conflicting beliefs, they are incompatible and seek the destruction of each other. So much so that in 1918, when the Russians made a peace with Germany, the West sent armies to destroy the Communist. They failed and the Communist stayed in power. This is the very first time that there is an 'East verses West' scenario. 938 has also been argued as a possible date for the beginning of the Cold War. This is due to the Munich Conference. The US was not directly involved in this, but it did
USA to blame for Cold War?
"The USA was solely to blame for the outbreak of the Cold War" How far do you agree with this statement? Historical debate has often attempted to study which 'superpower' was the main cause behind the Cold War. Clearly, the Cold War began as a result of a number of factors between both the USA and Soviet Union. To label one country as "solely" responsible neglects true analysis of the subject. Essentially, the Cold War inevitably began due to the conflict of historical ideologies coupled with the catalyst of World War Two. For every action from the USSR, there was a reaction of equal or greater proportions from the USA. Antagonism between the USSR and USA began as early as the end of the First World War. After Lenin's swift communist revolution, tensions grew between Russia and the West for Russia's retreat from the war. However, tensions mounted even further due to the fact that the allied forces fought in the civil war on the side of the anti-Bolshevik "Whites". Underlining discontent also increased after America entered World War Two. In the Teheran Conference, the USSR felt disappointed by Churchill and Roosevelt in their procrastination of allied support into France. This only served to heighten Stalin's paranoia. Hence, from this it could be argued that the individual figure of Roosevelt played a significant part in the escalation of the Cold War. However,
Why Did War Time Friends Become Cold War Enemies?
WHY DID WAR TIME FRIENDS BECOME COLD WAR ENEMIES? DANIEL ROJAS As soon as WWII broke up, winning powers, especially the USA and the USSR, began a period of hostility between each other. This period of disagreement extended up until the 1980's, and became known as the Cold War, mainly because no actual fighting occurred between the two superpowers, despite the dangerous tensions growing between them. The development of the Cold War can be attributed to a series of events between the end of World War II and 1949, each event having a certain degree of importance within what is regarded as the causes of this period of 'passive' hostility, although none of these events stands out as a crucial point in the initiation of the Cold War. To begin with, historians have formulated different views and explanations for the occurrence of the Cold War: Some agree that the USSR was to blame. Stalin planned communist spread throughout the world and the takeover of Eastern Europe was an example of this. Others agree that the USA was to take the blame. Such historians support their view by stating that Soviet actions were merely defensive; that the USA wanted to control its area of influence, but refused to allow the Soviet Union to do the same. Finally, there is also the view that neither of the superpowers was to be blamed; that the Cold War was based on misunderstanding, a fore beyond the
The End of the Cold War.
The End of the Cold War By Joumanna Nasr ID no: 200401736 An essay submitted in fulfillment of PSPA 213's course requirements October 26, 2003 Never before has so terrible a threat hung over mankind as now. The only reasonable way out of the existing situation is the reaching of an agreement by the opposing forces on the immediate termination of the arms race, the nuclear arms race on earth and the prevention of arms in space. We need an agreement on an honest and equitable basis without attempts at "outplaying" the other side and dictating terms to it. We need an agreement which would help all to advance toward the cherished goal: the complete elimination and prohibition of nuclear weapons for all time, toward the complete removal of the threat of nuclear war. This is our firm conviction. -Mikhail Gorbachev, March 11, 1985 The End of the Cold War The beginning of the nineties marked the end of a bipolar global system that had spanned over 40 years- one that had started at the end of World War II when the post-war Yalta Conference laid the foundation for the ongoing divide in ideologies between a Capitalist West represented by the United Sates, and a Communist East, represented by the U.S.S.R- a multi-ethnic state, composed of fifteen republics that were held together by extremely powerful central authority exercised by a Communist Russia. It is necessary to note
How did the Cold War begin?
1K Ryutaro Tanno 28/10/07 Cold War How did the Cold War begin? How did the Cold War affect America's policy toward Vietnam? When the Second World War ended in 1945, many European countries that had once been powerful were in ruin and were exhausted by six years of fighting. Only two Super Powers - The USA and The USSR remained after 1945 and a state of extreme tension developed between them. This tense rivalry is called "The Cold War" and this strangely named rivalry is generally regarded as a conflict between communism (East) led by the USSR and capitalism (West) led by the USA, "characterized by mutual perceptions of hostile intention between political alliances or blocs" (quote 1; L. Dockrill and F.Hopkins, 2006, The Cold War Pg 1), without open armed direct fighting between the Great Powers. There were some conflicts in the Cold War but they were called proxy wars because the two Super Powers did not fight directly and just supported the interests of one of their allies against the other. The fabric of the rivalry was said to consist of the following two competitions - politically to compete for the ascendancy of each ideology, and economically for the wealth of people. However it was just a superficial front to hide the fact that the rivalry was a competition for spreading their ideology to as many countries as
