Causes Of The Cold War

In August of 1945, World War II finally came to an end. After six years of fighting, most of the world was left in ruins, debt, and overall devastation. As the world fell apart, so did the relationships forged during the war. The differing ideas of how the world postwar should be between the United States and the Soviet Union caused major tension and mistrust. “The Cold War first emerged over clashing Soviet and American interest in Eastern Europe” (Roark, pg 713) The Cold War was fought from 1947 to 1989, but armed conflict never actually took place. However, many countries took sides on whose ideas they would support. The United States democracy was more appealing to most of the world than the Soviet Union’s communist government. Since the
United States had came out of the war as “the most powerful nation on the plant”, the U.S. Government felt it to be their job to right all of the wrongs caused by the war. (Roark, pg 713) This included providing aid to the pleading and crumbling countries, such as Turkey and Greece. Although, the Soviet Union was not pleased, they did not engage in conflict and eventually withdrew their presence.
After the war, tension between the United States and former ally, the Soviet Union, intensified. “Soviet leader Joseph Stalin wanted to make Germany pay for Soviet economic reconstruction and to expand Soviet influence in the world.” (Roark, pg 713) In attempt to contain the spread of communism, the United States tried to spread democratic ideas. This differing of ideas started what is known as the Cold War. The Cold War was a war from 1947 to 1989 that was hostility without conflict. As the United States was a super power, it was able to influence many smaller countries with the promising of foreign aid. To provide relief to the European countries effected by war or communist pressure, America started drafting documents such as the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan. The promise of economic stability was enough for foreign leaders to allow these plans to go into action. However, the Soviets were unpleased and began to act. “As the Western Allies moved to organize West Germany as a separate nation, the Soviets retaliated by blocking roads and rail lines between West Germany and the Western-held sections of Berlin, cutting off food, fuel, and other essentials to two million inhabitants.” (Roark, pg 718) The United States still provided aid by airlifting supplies, which Stalin refrained from shooting down to avoid conflict. He eventually lifted the blockade.
Post World War II, Europe was in a state of despair.
Not only was the land destroyed by warfare, but the economy from the cost of war was too. “In considering of the requirements for the rehabilitation of Europe the physical loss of life, the visible destruction of cities, factories, mines, and railroads was correctly estimated, but it has become obvious during recent months that the visible destruction was probably less serious than the dislocation of the entire fabric of European economy.” (Present in the Past, pg 71) The devastation of the economy caused banks to close, commercial ties to be cut, and trade to seize. Two countries, Greece and Turkey, were in desperate need of help if they hoped to continue as free states. Because of the failed economy, the value of their money decreased dramatically. With the decrease in value, came the inability to buy essentials, such as clothing. Also, farmers could not get what they desired for their crops, so they withdrew their food from the market. Overall, without crops for food or materials for other needs, the countries were unable to restart their economy. They pleaded for outside assistance, which was answered by the
U.S. In the Greece community, “…Germans had destroyed virtually all the railways, roads, port facilities, communications, and merchant marine. More than a thousand villages had been burned. Eighty-five percent of the children were tubercular. Livestock, poultry, and draft animals had almost disappeared. Inflation had wiped out practically all savings.” (Present in the Past, pg 66) The Greek Government asked for assistance because the British Government was no longer in a place to assist them. The United Nations would not be able to act fast enough, so the Truman Doctrine of 1947 was brought before Congress in an effort to provide financial and economic assistance. In the neighboring country, Turkey, similar help was needed. The situation was quite different though. “Turkey has been spared the disasters that have beset Greece.” (Present in the Past, pg 68) However, Turkey needed assistance to maintain its integrity and, therefore, order in the Middle East. With the support of the United States, the free people would be able to maintain their freedom, and the welfare of the United States would be ensured. By providing Greece and Turkey with 400 million dollars, details of American civilian and military personnel to assist in reconstruction, instruction and training for finances, and supplies and equipment, the United States supported the countries in need.
The Truman Doctrine enabled the resistance of the Soviet military, and, also, supported the countries in need. However, it was not enough. In 1948, congress approved more aid in the form of the Marshall Plan. In the Marshall Plan, call for the “…return of normal economic health in the world…” was the main reason for the United States assisting the European nations. (Present in the Past, pg 72) By breaking the cycle and restoring confidence in the European people, the economy was said to improve. “The role of this country should consist of friendly aid in the drafting of the European programs so far as it may be practical for us to do so.” (Present in the Past, pg 73) The Marshall Plan was an attempt to improve the world’s economy after a devastating war. “Its purpose should be the revival of working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist.” (Present in the Past, pg 72) The Soviet Union tried to resist the help and placed a barricade preventing the aid of the United States. American went around the block and airlifted supplies to those in need.
Joseph Stalin was not happy.
In order to spread the idea of communism, he needed to have countries free of the help of the most powerful nation in the world. Stalin’s belief that “The Second World War arose as the inevitable result of the development of the world economic and political forces basis of monopoly capitalism…” showed that he opposed the financial assistance of the United States. (Roark, pg 716) In his speech to Moscow, Stalin urged a Soviet social system in contrast to a non-Soviet system, saying that it provided more stability and life. The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan were exact opposite of all he believed. Where the U.S. wanted free people, economic freedom, and united nations, Stalin wanted a controlled, communistic way of life. Although Stalin refrained from war during the cold war, it was not from lack of
threats.
After World War II, the world was in a fragile place. The economy was broken, which caused trade to be a difficult task. The United States attempted to provide financial assistance to all those that needed it. The Soviet Union had different plans, though. As the United States tried to help, the Soviets, under the rule of Joseph Stalin, tried to spread the radical ideas of communism. In efforts to keep the world free and at peace, America started relief programs under the Truman Doctrine of 1947 and the Marshall Plan of 1948. With these programs in place, the world postwar started to improve. However, tension between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. continued for many years after.