The Reasons for the Cold War after World War II - Article Example

The Reasons for the Cold War after World War II Introduction Shortly after the completion of the World War II, theCold War dominated the latter part of the 20th Century. The reasons for the long-lasting war remain a subject of great controversy among historians and political scholars up to date. In an effort to unravel the mystery behind the causes of the Cold War, different varying views have been suggested. The traditional view of the reasons behind the war was that it was a move to stop Stalin, the former USSR leader, from expanding the Soviet Union. Revisionist ideologies blamed the U.S as Truman did not comprehend the extent of casualties incurred by the USSR during The World War II. Though there were significant historical events that may have contributed to the emergence of the Cold War, the major reason for the Cold War was the intense opposition between the communist and capitalist ideologies. The U.S-Soviet relations during the Second World War: effect on the Cold War During World War II (WWII), the U.S. and the USSR became allies at a time when the fascist Germany declared their war against the U.S in 1941. Germany’s earlier invasion to the Soviet Union in June the same year was a big shock to Stalin’s administration since the two countries had committed themselves to a peaceful co-existence by signing the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop (Jervis, 1991). The alliance between the U.S and the USSR was a subject of controversy since the U.S had been opposed to the Communist ideology advocated by the Soviets since its inception in 1917. In spite of the Soviet’s invasion by the Germany, Americans were reluctant to assist the USSR despite having pursued a common interest of fighting against Hitler in WWII. It was President Roosevelt’s caution that kept the anti-Germany alliance from breaking apart. Despite the apparent need to uphold the U.S-USSR alliance, the underlying conflicts had a great influence on the ideological differences that characterized the post WWII US-USSR relations. The U.S-USSR relations were further weakened by the aggression of the Soviets. Following the invasion of Poland by the Germany in 1939, the Soviet Union saw an opportunity to reaffirm it position over the former Russian Empire states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia (The Choices Program, 2004). The Soviets also invaded Finland though they did not fully succeed to incorporate it into the Soviet Union. As a result, Finland remained independent in the midst of the powerful Soviets. Additionally, the Soviets demonstrated their aggression by invading Poland in regard to the Molotov-Ribbentrop provisions in which they had agreed to divide Poland with the Germany. Poland was a strategic point for the Soviets who were highly vulnerable due to absence of physical barriers like mountains and rivers hence Stalin was keen to secure the Soviet against attack from Poland side. Effects of ideological differences between the U.S and the Soviet The differences in ideologies between the U.S and the Soviets served to increase the suspicion and hostility between the two parties. Most Americans did not like the Soviet philosophies especially with regard to atheism and communist ideals. For this reason, the Americans were not genuinely sympathetic about the Soviet’s invasion by the Germany and were reluctant to assist them. On their part, the communist Soviets did not trust the U.S as they were wary of an inevitable conflict between the popular capitalistic U.S. (Jervis, 1991).This mistrust was further fueled by the post World War I events in 1919 when the U.S among other former allies send troops to allegedly assist the “White Russian” armies in the civil revolution against the Bolsheviks (Berkin, Cherny, Gormly and Miller, 2011). During this time, the U.S sided with the French and Britain efforts to forge a new anti-communist Soviet. The difference in ideologies was also heightened by the threat occasioned by the divergent views between the U.S and the Soviets. The difference in the political systems between the two powerful nations was a major concern to both parties. The Soviets advocated a Marxism-Leninism socialist ideology which was strongly opposed to the capitalist system advocated by the U.S. (Jervis, 1991). The socialist ideology believed that the capitalists were inherently hostile op the communists and would therefore eliminate them whenever an opportunity arises. Conversely, the capitalists were threatened by the revolutionary nature of the communist regimes and strongly believed that they would exert a domino effect on the non-communist nations. In this regard, the U.S. believed that the communist nations who believed in authoritarian ideals were a bigger threat than those with different interests. Effect of World War II on the emergence of the Cold War To some extend, the causes of the Cold War can be attributed to the outcome of the WWII. The WWII created two opposing superpowers with different political philosophies. The Soviets had suffered intensely compared with her allies who came out of the war with a stronger bargaining power. The issue of the second front in which the Soviet Union believed that her western allies were reluctant to take part in the second front in Europe was also of great significance. At this time, the second front was seen as a necessary step in an effort to ease the pressure from the Soviet forces who had already suffered greatly in the WWII (Leffler and Painter, 2005). There was need to fill the power vacuum in Europe following the defeat of Germany which led to the division of Germany into four occupation zones. On the Asian part, Japan’s defeat created the need to re-establish control over China, Indochina and Korea. These factors led to further ideological differences which precipitated the Cold War. Besides ideological differences, the Cold War was precipitated by the U.S and British plan to secretly develop an atomic bomb in a project dubbed the “Manhattan Project”. Contrary to what is expected of wartime allies, the U.S. did not officially inform the Soviets about their atomic weapon plans till 1945. Though the atomic bomb was intended to be used against Japan in the Pacific War, the Soviets could not understand the reasons as to why they were not informed despite the U.S persistence request for the Soviets to join in fighting the Japans. Conclusion A critical examination of the reasons behind the emergence of the Colds War immediately after the Second World War indicates that war was largely caused by the intense differences between the communist and capitalist ideologies. Historically, the U.S. had been greatly opposed to the totalitarian ideologies of the communist Soviet since its inception in 1917. The U.S.-USSR alliance in the WWII was therefore characterized by suspicion and mistrust between the two superpowers. Though the outcome of the WWII may have contributed towards the emergence of the Cold War by creating two victorious powerful nations with diverse political ideologies, the tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union had existed since 1918-1921 Russian revolution against the Bolsheviks. Annotated bibliography Berkin, C., Cherny, R., Gormly, J. & Miller, C. (2011). Making America: A History of the United States (6th edn). New York: Cengage Learning. In this authoritative book, the authors provide a chronological account of the events that are crucial in the American history. As part of the historical accounts, the book provides an analysis of the major wars like the Cold War that have characterized the U.S. history. It also provides an in-depth account of the American cultures and experiences that have helped in shaping the American society. The book helps readers in understanding the American philosophies which were a crucial factor in the Cold war. Jervis, R. (1991). Soviet-American Relations after the Cold War. Durham, NC: Duke University Press. This book provides an authoritative account of the U.S.-Soviet relations and the apparent ideological differences which was a crucial factor in the emergence of the Cold War. Through a collection of credible essays, the book explores important issues relating to the Cold War like relations between the U.S.-Soviet relations with East Asian nations and the Third World as well as the UN role in shaping the U.S. and Soviet foreign policy. The book provides an important insight to the contribution of the U.S.-Soviet relations during the Second World War and post WWII which may have created the tensions leading to the Cold War. Leffler, M. P. & Painter, D. S. (2005). Origins of the Cold War: An International History (2nd edn). New York: Routledge. This book contains an analysis of articles drawn from various international sources. The articles contained in the book provide an important analytical framework which enhances the reader’s understanding on the genesis of the Cold War. The book also offers an analysis of the spread of the Cold War from Europe to other nations and how various parties used the war to serve their interests. With bias on the Communist perspectives of the Cold War, the authors succeed in revealing the underlying circumstances responsible for the emergence of the Cold War. The Choices Program, (2004).The Origins of the Cold War: U.S. Choices after World War II. Choices for the 21st Century Education Program, Watson Institute for International Studies: Brown University. Retrieved April 23, 2012 from http://tvc-whist-teachers.wikispaces.com/file/view/Origins+of+the+Cold+War+--+US+Choices+After+World+War+II.pdf This article forms part of a program series by the Choices for the 21st Century Education Program by the Watson Institute for International Studies of Brown University. The articled contains a rich collection of well researched materials like the popular Truman Doctrine and opinion briefs by the U.S. and other nations allied to the Cold War. It also contains excerpts from significant speeches by the leaders and other individuals who played a major role in the Cold War. Additionally, the chronological account of various events provides an important insight to the origins of the Cold War. Read More

On their part, the communist Soviets did not trust the U.S as they were wary of an inevitable conflict between the popular capitalistic U.S. (Jervis, 1991).This mistrust was further fueled by the post World War I events in 1919 when the U.S among other former allies send troops to allegedly assist the “White Russian” armies in the civil revolution against the Bolsheviks (Berkin, Cherny, Gormly and Miller, 2011). During this time, the U.S sided with the French and Britain efforts to forge a new anti-communist Soviet.

The difference in ideologies was also heightened by the threat occasioned by the divergent views between the U.S and the Soviets. The difference in the political systems between the two powerful nations was a major concern to both parties. The Soviets advocated a Marxism-Leninism socialist ideology which was strongly opposed to the capitalist system advocated by the U.S. (Jervis, 1991). The socialist ideology believed that the capitalists were inherently hostile op the communists and would therefore eliminate them whenever an opportunity arises.

Conversely, the capitalists were threatened by the revolutionary nature of the communist regimes and strongly believed that they would exert a domino effect on the non-communist nations. In this regard, the U.S. believed that the communist nations who believed in authoritarian ideals were a bigger threat than those with different interests. Effect of World War II on the emergence of the Cold War To some extend, the causes of the Cold War can be attributed to the outcome of the WWII. The WWII created two opposing superpowers with different political philosophies.

The Soviets had suffered intensely compared with her allies who came out of the war with a stronger bargaining power. The issue of the second front in which the Soviet Union believed that her western allies were reluctant to take part in the second front in Europe was also of great significance. At this time, the second front was seen as a necessary step in an effort to ease the pressure from the Soviet forces who had already suffered greatly in the WWII (Leffler and Painter, 2005). There was need to fill the power vacuum in Europe following the defeat of Germany which led to the division of Germany into four occupation zones.

On the Asian part, Japan’s defeat created the need to re-establish control over China, Indochina and Korea. These factors led to further ideological differences which precipitated the Cold War. Besides ideological differences, the Cold War was precipitated by the U.S and British plan to secretly develop an atomic bomb in a project dubbed the “Manhattan Project”. Contrary to what is expected of wartime allies, the U.S. did not officially inform the Soviets about their atomic weapon plans till 1945.

Though the atomic bomb was intended to be used against Japan in the Pacific War, the Soviets could not understand the reasons as to why they were not informed despite the U.S persistence request for the Soviets to join in fighting the Japans. Conclusion A critical examination of the reasons behind the emergence of the Colds War immediately after the Second World War indicates that war was largely caused by the intense differences between the communist and capitalist ideologies. Historically, the U.S. had been greatly opposed to the totalitarian ideologies of the communist Soviet since its inception in 1917. The U.S.

-USSR alliance in the WWII was therefore characterized by suspicion and mistrust between the two superpowers. Though the outcome of the WWII may have contributed towards the emergence of the Cold War by creating two victorious powerful nations with diverse political ideologies, the tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union had existed since 1918-1921 Russian revolution against the Bolsheviks. Annotated bibliography Berkin, C., Cherny, R., Gormly, J. & Miller, C. (2011). Making America: A History of the United States (6th edn).

New York: Cengage Learning. In this authoritative book, the authors provide a chronological account of the events that are crucial in the American history.

Read More