Henry A Wallace Searching for a New World Order - Essay Example

?Irshad Ahmad Academia-Research.Com Order # 758029 November 26, History Of Cold War United s of America and Soviet Union were allies during World War II. After the war, they disagreed over a number of issues i.e. division of Germany, international loans, control of Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Henry A. Wallace the Vice-President in 1941-45 was a liberal mind in the cabinet of Truman. He worked for peace and prosperity around the globe and his efforts always taught of patience and systematic approach towards the solution of problems between the United States of America and Soviet Union. In a letter of July 23, 1946, Wallace stressed Truman to work for the achievement of global order based on mutual trust, toleration and faith (Wallace, pp 587-600). Resultantly Truman asked him to resign. Wallace’s letter explains how Truman’s Doctrine of Containment became the foundation of Future American Foreign Policy based on the requirements of Cold War. Andrei Vishinsky conveyed his anger in the same tone in his speech at United Nations on September 18, 1947. Vishinsky was open while declaring that America was grounding for a war against Russia (White, pp121-122). It was under the same scenario that the world saw yet another mishap was imminent. Those who wanted peace around the globe worked for the removal of distrust between United States of America and the Soviet Union. Henry A. Wallace was one of such peace-lovers. He lashed out at the policies of the Truman regime which were helping emerge a cold war. Through his words, Wallace actively criticized Truman’s cold war mindset. He was aggrieved over the America’s policy of the Soviet Union and spoke against it in open words: “The flaw in this policy is simply that it will not work” (Wallace, p 592). He believed that both the countries could work together. Wallace wanted conciliation, mutual trust and respect and restraint by Americans towards the Russians. Doing this he foresees the solution of America’s many headaches: “Many of the problems relating to the countries bordering on Russia could more readily be solved once an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence is established” (Wallace, p597). Andrei Vishinsky, the Chairman of the Soviet delegation to the United Nations General Assembly spoke the same words. He termed the United States of America wholly responsible for creating the atmosphere of cold war: “A number of newspapers and magazines, mostly Americans cry every day and in every way about a new war” (White, p 121). He denies America’s hue and cry that Russia was imposing a war on it: “the Soviet Union is not threatening in any way an attack on any country” (White, p 121). Vishinsky fears that America could even fight against those who presented or tried to present systems of their own other than Capitalism. As Soviet Union had adopted Communism which had more charm for the world than the Capitalism and America could not afford to lose its trust, it decided to fight the Soviet Union as well. Wallace speaks against the preparations of America against an expected war. He opines that America’s such preparations will compel the rest of the world to get atom bomb too and that will mean the destruction of the world for atomic war is the cheapest and easiest as against the traditional wars of the past which were costly and enjoyed more labor. The availability of atom bombs with many nations of the world will result in a fear-ridden society and abnormal psychology of the people around the globe. America will have the possibility of falling victim to such violence because of its wealth. This is a dilemma and some have found the solution by presenting their theory of preventative war against the Soviet Union. They argue that before Soviet Union gets atom bomb, it should be attacked as to thwart the danger before it comes into existence. The only solution Wallace puts forth is the obeying of the Moscow Declaration which tells the nuclear disarmament of the nations and mutual trust. To stick to the idea that everything must go our will would compel the Soviets to enhance their progress in the atomic field. Also Russia will strive more in making allies against the America. Russians throughout their history have fought for their existence and now when they have got the freedom, they will try to preserve it at any cost. Russia’s new status as a major power in world affairs must be acknowledged by the United States of America. Wallace offers proposals for the building of trust in between by suggesting that America should take part in the reconstruction of the USSR. That will benefit the trade of America. All the issues are solvable provided there is an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect between America and Russia. At last, Wallace calls for a shift in American Policy terming it as the need of the hour (Wallace, pp 587-600). Vishinsky allegedly terms America for promoting the war feelings in its populace and the rest of the world. In his view, all these attempts mean to suppress the Soviet Union psychologically. In his speech at United Nations, Vishinsky agitates against the atmosphere created by the United States of America despite the fact that Soviet Union was busy in the rehabilitation process of the areas ravaged by war. He puts it open before the world that though America is raising a hue and cry against the Soviets, it itself is busy in manufacturing heavy arms machinery against Soviet Union at a large scale. The companies are busy in research for the advancement of Atomic Program. Vishinsky claims that contrary to the American propaganda that Soviet Union aimed at promoting Communism, American think-tanks instigate the authorities to take stern action against the Soviet Union. They advise that America should initiate war against Soviet Union and work for the propagation of Capitalism. The idea becomes clear when John Foster Dulls delivers a speech at Chicago on February 10, 1947 in which he urges that America should declare a tough foreign policy towards Soviet Union. They think they are superior to other nations of the world as America is the strongest in material power since the Roman Empire. Such boasting envisions before the American authorities a picture of heights and grandeurs which they would surely dream to attain. Vishinsky announces that these attempts are against the social revolution around the world being led by the Soviet Union (White, pp 121-122). It looks like Wallace has gone a bit straightforward while terming his own country the United States of America responsible for producing grounds of the Cold War. On the other hand, Vishinsky is seen supporting his country’s moral stance. The nuclear race could lead to irrecoverable disaster and the letter of Wallace as well as the speech of Vishinsky, both reveals the same story. Both show that America could not endure a state equaling its might. Both speak against the violent military preparations of America. There is a reference in both the works towards those who instigated the American government against Russia. Both Wallace and Vishinsky clarify the same misunderstanding about Russia which told that Russia was expanding its ideological borders however in different tones. Wallace says that Russia has been compelled for such actions by the American policy while Vishinsky totally deny the fact. Instead, he alleges America for expanding its Capitalistic borders to the corners of the globe. While Wallace suggests of a shift in American Foreign policy with regard to Soviet Union, Vishinsky declares that America’s aggressive policy is to hinder in the global social revolution. Works Cited Wallace, Henry A, and John M. Blum. The Price of Vision: The Diary of Henry A. Wallace, 1942-1946. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1973. Print. White, Graham J, and J R. Maze. Henry A. Wallace: His Search for a New World Order. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1995. Print. Read More