THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE

COLD WAR AFTER THE 1940S

BY: Christen Torres 12E4


FEBRUARY 22, 2014


Who was to blame for the development of the cold war during the 1940s? In
a discussion of this question, consider what historians have had to say about
it.
The Cold war was the struggle between the two major super powers that
emerged after the Second World War in the 1940s. Russia and America.
However it wasnt just a war between the two countries and their allies, it was
a conflict between two competing social and economic systems and the rivalry
between tow political ideologies (Communism and Capitalism). The world was
divided in two. The Americans gained support from other Western countries
and the USSR had its own Allies with other Communist governments. However
it always remained a Cold War because it never actually developed into an
Armed/Hot war between the two countries, there was however constant
tension that lasted for the next forty years. In my opinion both countries
contributed to the development of the Cold War (Russia and America both
made decisions during the course of the next forty years that impacted the
war) if both hadnt taken certain measures and steps, the war would not have
lasted for such a long time and maybe it would of cooled down much faster
than it eventually did.




After the Second World War the Grand Alliance (made up of Roosevelt,
Churchill and Stalin) had agreed that they would divide Germany into zones of
occupation. Each zone would be administered to one of the three powers until
Germany was ready for an independent government again. Part of this
agreement was that Eastern Europe (Eastern Germany-the zone Russia would
be in control of) should be allowed to hold free elections so that they could
choose the type of government that they wanted. One of the early points of
tension between the two powers was that Stalin did not hold his end of the
bargain for free elections in Eastern Germany as he
promised. He instead appointed his own
government in Germany who followed a
Communist system. Another point of tension was the fact
that the Soviet Army was in control of
The Big Three. Stalin,
Roosevelt and Churchill
A drawing
showing the
division
between
different
countries
during the
cold war


Most of Eastern Europe (Stalin had also set up a communist
government in Poland without again free elections). During
this time Roosevelt had been replaced with Truman who
was more against communism (and much more
suspicious) than Roosevelt had been. The tension just seemed to be getting
worse.
Once Stalin had accomplished communist run countries through his satellite
states (a state under strong influence from another country) America decided
to respond with the Truman Doctrine. Greece and Turkey were being
attacked by communist-led guerrilla war groups (they wanted to overthrow
the governments in both countries in order to introduce a communist run
system) America broke its policy of isolation (the policy of not getting involved
in world affairs). President Truman announced to the US Congress that
America would send relief money, military and other needed equipment to any
country that was being threatened by a Communist takeover/revolution.
Through Americas help Greece and Turkey succeeded in defending their
governments against the guerrilla war groups. Truman also introduced the
Marshall plan. The US Secretary (George Marshall) was sent to Europe to
estimate how much damage the war had caused, and the economic situation
that was currently residing in Europe. An economic plan called the Marshall
Plan was then introduced with the aim of rebuilding Europes damaged
economy. However the USSR was very suspicious of the Marshall plan. Russia
was convinced that America was using the aid and relief money that It was
offering to needy countries, as a political weapon to gain more support and
control of other independent countries (as political pressure). Stalin would not
accept any relief money from any Western countries as he saw it as a form of
Dollar diplomacy (as America using financial aid to pressure other countries
to suit its own interests). The Truman Doctrine (and Marshall Plan) further
deepened the tensions between the two countries.
One of the high points of Tension was during the Berlin Crisis. Berlin had
been split into zones that was occupied by America, Britain and Russia (
as Germany had been). They had agreed at the Potsdam Conference
that Germany would remain united but because of different political
and economic systems in their separate zones this was not achieved. After
The First Atomic
Bomb Test
American President Truman who
was responsible for the Truman
Doctrine and the Marshall Plan
the Western currency in Berlin became more valuable than the Eastern Russia
decided to close off all surface routes that linked the East to the West (The
Berlin Blockade). The reason for this was that many Eastern Germans had
immigrated to the West in hope of a better life (as the currency was higher and
it was run by a capitalist government). The West responded to the blockade
with the Berlin Airlift (using air force as the preferred form of transport for the
imported goods) after about a year Stalin called off the blockade and once
again routes were opened up linking the West to the East, however the Allied
powers had failed in keeping Germany united.







The Cold War between America and Russia lasted for forty years. Tensions
were constantly risings as the two super powers were constantly in in
competition with each other (example the arms race, the space race etc...).
Countries were divided and separated because of who they supported (and
who they didnt). There was a constant threat of war looming (example the
Cuban crises) and a solution seemed unattainable.
America Soviet Union
Free elections No elections or fixed
Democratic Autocratic / Dictatorship
Capitalist Communist
Survival of the fittest Everybody helps everybody
Berlin
Airlift:
Planes
that
were
used to
carry in
importe
d goods
to West
Berlin



















There are three basic types of views that historians have about who was to
blame for the development of the Cold War. The Soviet view explains that
Russia had never been planning to take over Eastern Europe ( or the rest of the
world for that matter ) it was just trying to secure its safety after the War
because unlike America ( who had come out of the war much stronger than it
went into it ) had suffered terribly because of the war. The soviet view explains
how Russias decisions at the time was misinterpreted by Western views
who were too influenced by their suspicions of the Soviets goals. Then theres
the Western View. The Western view explained how Stalin was so power
hungry that he tried to gain as much territory as he could as well as denying
Richest world power Poor economic base
Personal freedom
Society controlled by the
NKVD (secret police)
Freedom of the media Total censorship
This lack of mutually understanding an alien culture,
would lead the world down a very dangerous path -
it led to the development of weapons of awesome
destructive capability and the creation of some
intriguing policies such as MAD - Mutually Assured
Destruction.
(well as using force ) Eastern European satellite states that was under his
control, to free elections ( thus forcing them to comply to a communist
government) . The Western view then points out that due to Stalins actions, it
was forced to use a policy of containment to prevent the further spread of
communism. Last but not least there is the Post-Revisionist view. This is the
most recent view that balances out the causes of the development of the war
between the two countries. It points out that both sides had a lack of
communication and an ongoing misunderstanding of each other. It explains
that Russia had genuine concerns about its security after the Second World
War (which could explain why Stalin did try and secure more territory) while
also pointing out that Stalins actions (with whatever intentions) did cause
genuine fear and suspicion in the West.






I support the Post Revisionist view. I believe there was a big miscommunication
between the two countries which led to many misinterpretations of each
others intentions. If Truman and Stalin had been frequently in touch
(communicating) with each other or made a better effort as to why certain
steps and measures were being taken, maybe the Cold War would have ended
at a much earlier stage than it eventually did. Who knows? Maybe there
wouldnt of been much of a Cold war in the first place.


BIBLIOGRAPHY :

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/causes%20of%20the%20c
old%20war.htm
An old
Poster
showing the
two Super
Powers in
the Cold
War ( CNN
poster )
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/truman_doctrine.ht
m
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/what%20was%
20the%20cold%20war.htm

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/cuban_missile_crisis.
htm