THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COLD WAR AFTER THE 1940’s

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 1940’s. Russia and America. However it wasn’t 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 hadn’t 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 Europe’s 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 didn’t). There was a constant threat of war looming (example the Cuban crises) and a solution seemed unattainable.

Berlin Airlift: Planes that were used to carry in imported goods to West Berlin

America Soviet Union

Free elections No elections or fixed

Democratic Autocratic / Dictatorship

Capitalist Communist

‘Survival of the fittest’ Everybody helps everybody

Richest world power Poor economic base

Personal freedom Society controlled by the NKVD (secret police)

Freedom of the media Total censorship

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 Russia’s decisions at the time was misinterpreted by “Western views” who were too influenced by their suspicions of the Soviets goals. Then there’s 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 (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 Stalin’s 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

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.

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 Stalin’s 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 other’s 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 wouldn’t of been much of a Cold war in the first place.

BIBLIOGRAPHY : http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/causes%20of%20the%20cold%20war.htm

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

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/what%20was%20the%20cold%20war.htm

An old Poster showing the two Super Powers in the Cold War ( CNN poster )

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