In 1945 the United States and the Soviet Union had demonstrated the efficacy of the coordinated allied effort by defeating the Nazi Germany. The two had reemerged from the most exacting war exhausted to be sure (the Soviet Union especially), but surrounded by the aura of international respectability never to be enjoyed again. The allied powers had spoken at length about the global future and it seemed as if the partnership forged during the years of struggle, might extend into the peace time as a guarantee of the world-wide security.
Or did it? In less than three years from the end of the war, having forgotten about common sacrifices, the Americans and the Soviets were eyeing each other with unconcealed animosity informing the opposite party with designs of the most malicious intent. Then, of course, the question emerges: was the rapidly coming Cold War result of geopolitical misunderstanding between the superpowers poised to protect their spheres of influence? Were the emerging disagreements of the short-term nature, or, on the contrary, did they stem from something deeply-entrenched in the histories of two nations, something which only needed the war to come to surface? In other words, were the United States and the USSR (or Russia, if you will) destined to vie for the fate of the world as was forecast by Alexis de Tocqueville more then a century before it actually "came to blows"?
Or did it? In less than three years from the end of the war, having forgotten about common sacrifices, the Americans and the Soviets were eyeing each other with unconcealed animosity informing the opposite party with designs of the most malicious intent. Then, of course, the question emerges: was the rapidly coming Cold War result of geopolitical misunderstanding between the superpowers poised to protect their spheres of influence? Were the emerging disagreements of the short-term nature, or, on the contrary, did they stem from something deeply-entrenched in the histories of two nations, something which only needed the war to come to surface? In other words, were the United States and the USSR (or Russia, if you will) destined to vie for the fate of the world as was forecast by Alexis de Tocqueville more then a century before it actually "came to blows"?
The result of The Cold War between USSR and United States was contradictions that are rooted deeply in the before WWII history.USSR and United States were absolutely different countries with different morality and principles. So for United States Bolshevism politics seemed impossible and extremerely cruel.Also we should take into account the political situation in these countries.On the one hand, United States' representative democracy and on the other hand USSR's communism.Two completely diverse philosophy.
ReplyDeleteBut we cannot omit fact of post war period. Two the most powerful nations,which will of the world domination exacerbated relationship between United States and USSR.Although two countries followed different aims. USSR wanted to retrieve lands from the period of Tsarist Russia,while United States wanted isolate USSR from external world. So in my opinion,The Cold War was the result of mix before and post war period.
In my point of view, the forecasts of Alexis de Tocqueville, who claimed that each superpower wanted to make the influence to the fate of the world came true. The Cold War that begins in 1946, after the end of WWII, when many of countries that participated in it had a big loss, when other countries had economical crisis, such superpowers as USA, and USSR ( Russia) wanted to implement to the whole world their own ideology. This war calls Cold War because from the one side this war was diplomatically right and peaceful, from the other side there was a war between superpowers, this war was differ from other wars because no weapons were used in it. The reason that Cold War occurred is after the end of WWII, both superpower have won, and had opposite ideology, USA had capitalism, and USSR had socialism. However they had to different ideologies , both of them wanted “to rule their ideology to the whole world”. The other reasons of Cold War was the emergence of political and military blocs , willing to expand the territory of socialism ideology, and the attempt of USA to fear the USSR by atomic bombs. So, I guess, these reasons played a role to emergence of Cold War.
ReplyDeleteIt is well-known fact, that rallying of two powerful nations against another and the victory of this two nations will definetely lead to the war, which will detect the dominating nation. Regarding this, a numerous factors led to Cold War. An extending the limits of theirs(USA and USSR) influence; in ideology to seize the people’s mind and hearts; economically - to demonstrate the superiority of their social system, even in sports - as John F. Kennedy said, "the country's international prestige is measured by two things: nuclear missiles and a gold medal.» President Roosevelt after the German attack on the Soviet Union in June 1941 wrote that he did not think about the domination of the USSR. Furthermore, he believed, that he grand alliance of the victorious powers can continue to operate after the Second World War. But, unfortunately, Cold War sprang up. Moreover, the events, which occured in Crimea, are the evidences of the incompletenesses of the Cold War. Likewise, it must be noticed, that Cold War was a tremendous mistake in the global arena.
ReplyDeleteAfter the Second World War, the superpowers, in my opinion, haven't been in good and friendly relations, especially USSR with USA. Each of them had their own allies which opposed to each other.
ReplyDeleteIn that time, each superpower afraid of that another power might be more stronger, perceived each other as a threat.
Churchill even ordered to prepare a plan of war against the USSR, considering especially important to strengthen the relationship with the U.S., as they had a monopoly with nuclear weapons.
Stalin in his interview putted Churchill on a par with a Hitler, saying that he, in his speech in the United States called on the West to the War.
I perceive this "Cold war" as a competition between superpowers. And one of the key, from my point of view, is their desire to rebuild other countries under its ideology.
The Cold War had deep roots. The war between the two systems, two ideologies not stopped since 1917. It turned into a real confrontation after World War II. In World War I the United States, some European countries and Russia were allies. After the October Revolution, the political system, the ideology of these countries have become opposed to each other. Moreover, they have become a mutually hostile ideology. Therefore, the formation of new socialist countries increased the influence of the USSR and robbed quite large "pieces of cake" from countries of Europe and America - the political and economic spheres of influence. Even Hitler was convinced of the invincibility of the deep divisions and at the same time launched a war so confident against all nations. He did not expect that these two ideological camps unite in an allied army against Nazi Germany.
ReplyDeleteFrom World War II allies came so strong that conducting open warfare would be too damaging to the whole world and the confrontation turned into a quiet, silent "cold war" ideologies.
The Cold War started from Churchill speech in Fulton in 1946, when he said that there is an "Iron Curtain" from Triest to Adriatica. To my mind these countries(USSR and the U.S) could not live in peace. They situated in different poles and had different ideologies. The U.S thought that the democracy and liberalism was much better than the communism, that is why it was an ideological war. War, where the winner determined by world propaganda, agitation and influence. The world was too narrow for two big leading countries, which aspired to hegemony. I think that it was very difficult to unite this countries for saving peace time in the world. And may be these disagreement were from short-term, because the U.S became powerful country rapidly.
ReplyDeleteThe whole world saw that the USSR was moving forward after the victory over the Nazi Germany. However, the USA was a single survivor country after the war in the contrary to Europe, which was in collapse. It is fact that USSR was coordinating its power in China, North Africa, and the East Europe. Great Britain feared of USSR, which was on the way to become superpower. Nevertheless, the USA also organized military grounds in most countries. Competition between the USA and USSR had the great influence on colonial countries. So this race for power opened new countries to the world. It is right to point out the fact that two countries had different ideology. However, this fact for me played role of coverage for starting the war. Actually, the Cold War was a continuation of remaking the world, but without the participation of Germany.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned earlier opposition of two superpowers was shown in the fight of their ideologies. Socialism and capitalism tried to destroy opposite system by political ways. I think that beginning of this situation’s had appeared before The Second World War, but was interrupted by the war. After capitulation of Germany all world was involved in struggle with Nazism. The beginning of the Cold War was related to the death of Reagan and new president of the USA Truman, his politics was not so friendly to the USSR. Also in this situation main role had nuclear bomb belonged to the USA. I think that the Cold War was not result of misunderstanding; it was result of attempt to reach the title main and super power of the world. Again the strongest powers of the world tried to share or expand area of influence without use of military forces.
ReplyDeleteThere were not bright ideological disagreements between the major teammates on the anti-Axis powers during the World War II. However, after the end of the war international position of the Soviet Union cardinally had changed. It not only left the international isolation, Russia became the great power recognized by all European countries. Moreover, Russia played the important role in international affairs. Therefore, destiny of “cold war” was obvious. Firstly, all above mentioned contradicted to the USA’ plans in relation to Europe. The influence of the USSR was equal to influence of the USA on these countries. Secondly, Russian’s refusal of the help of the USA (Marshall Plan). Thirdly, the growing of the ideological contradictions after the war.
ReplyDeleteTo conclude, predictions of Alexis de Tocqueville came true. These two largest states, which lust after power, eventually, will take up the struggle for it. In addition, this competition will influence on the whole world.
After The Second World War ended,it was the bloodiest event in humanity , where the Soviet Union won , the prerequisites for the emergence of a new confrontation between the West and East started, between the USSR and the USA . The main cause of this conflict , known as the " Cold War ", became ideological contradictions between the capitalist model of society , peculiar to the United States , and socialist , which existed in the USSR. Each of the two superpowers wanted to see it himself at the head of the entire world community and they woul liked to make people live following their ideological principles . In addition , the Soviet Union after World War II established his dominance in Eastern Europe, where Communist ideology prevailed . As a result, the United States along with Britain terrify possibility that the USSR could become a world leader and domination , both in the political and economic sphere of life. At the same time for the United States one of the main tasks was to focus on Soviet policy in Western Europe in order to prevent the socialist revolutions in that area. America did not like the communist ideology , they were anti-democratists. In my opinion, the Cold War was like a war for domination.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I thought a lot about today's question, and I think that the Cold War was not avoidable. I think that it was idealogical confrontation.
I agree with my colleges that the Cold War was not result of misunderstanding. And I think if we will analyse everything that happened, then we can say with certainty that this artificial conflict, maybe I’m wrong. As any ideology must have his enemy , and as the United States to the Soviet Union and the Soviet Union for the United States - were ideal choices as an enemy. Therefore, we can say with confidence that the Cold War - a conflict of ideologies and leaders, bloated because of their own ambitions.
ReplyDeleteBefore the Cold War Stalin's aims were limited and largely defensive, but aims grew during the Cold War. Stalin insisted, that “friendly” governments, rule border states, such as Romania, Hungary, Finland, Poland and Czechoslovakia. However, America want to annihilate barriers to trade and investment. Aim of America was an open, pluralistic world, favorable to American economic predominance. ‘Stalin’s conception of closed spheres of influence was anathema to these goals’ (Paxton, Chapter 15, p.4)
ReplyDeleteThe struggle between the Superpowers was conducted through forms of warfare. At the beginning America and Soviet Union had developed the war in the struggle against Germany, but then they were turned upon each other. There were the expansion of vast state organizations for surveillance and espionage. The spy became the characteristic of the Cold War.
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ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the Cold War between two superpowers the United States and the USSR could not have been avoided, and they were destined to vie with each other. The main reason of the outbreak of the war was the diverse ideology of these two powers. All actions and decisions were done on the basis of their ideologies. The Truman doctrine and the Marshall Plan were proof to that. The U.S. and the USSR had a huge impact on everything, had an equal influence on most of the areas (European countries etc.), and each of them wanted and tried to rebuild the world under their principles and ideas.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion the disagreements between the United States and the Soviet Union had emerged before The Cold War. As others have written previously, the main reason of these contradictions was laid in the absolute difference between the two ideologies: capitalism and communism. Furthermore, USSR and USA constantly suspected each other in different motives, and every step of counterpart was seen as confirmation of their assumptions. So, as we can read from Paxton: "These growing, self-fulfilling suspicions slipped easily into old grooves of ideological conflict dating back to 1917. In that sense, the Cold War was one more installment in a long history of revolution versus containment going back to Lenin and Woodrow Wilson".
ReplyDeleteIn countries where there is a policy of active propaganda of patriotism,improvement and leadership get great results. Typically these countries have a certain political weight and have influence on the course of the event in the world. USSR and USA were perfect enemies, because they had both ideologies which were current in those times, the supply of land and all kinds of resources, economic development, technically equipped, in the end of the country winners in the second world war. If you look at the ideology of these countries that communism began to gain momentum, and democracy the USA was also relevant, will agree in the West did not make sense to switch to strange mode. In consequence of the world was divided into two parts. In the world there was some tension, communications started the third world voiny moreover the opening of a new mass weapons as a bomb. These countries seem to be competed among themselves in all spheres as science, culture,economy even was conducted bribe over the cosmos. I would like to repeat about nuclear weapons, I believe that it is the weapon predotvraschaet world wars and not think that this threat. I think the winner of the cold war is the United States since the USSR collapsed, I think that the U.S. sought it.
ReplyDeleteYes,I absolutely support this idea. Russia or USSR and USA was,is and will be two biggest empires since XX century.It may be other countries seek to take control,but in fact US and Russia divided all the world to two sides.Nowadays we can see Gazprom vs Chevron, Russian army vs US army, technological-information war between two empires. This type of war we call Cold War.
ReplyDeleteBut was it needs in that time? I think this is very important question,because somebody can say that thay may control together. In XX century,world needs 1 political system,but US and Russia supports different systems,and it caused some misunderstandings.And as we know appetite comes with eating.Big perspectives of other countries attracted attention of both sides,and it caused Cold war,which still continues
Cold war could not occur between the two powerful countries - the United States and the USSR, more accurately was inevitable. It seems to me causes of this war is not a misunderstanding, and the ideological confrontation, the establishment of a military-political blocs. And in fact, the doctrine as Truman and Marshall plan was proof of this. The United States and the USSR two powerful countries, and each country has tried to rebuild peace, acquire the territory, to create its own army.
ReplyDeleteI believe, that neither the one nor the other side did not wish the "cold war", and that in fact the U.S. and the USSR cared about their safety, and the tragedy was that they achieved their goal unilaterally instead work together. In other words, it was proposed to close the question about the origin of the "cold war" constative joint-tion that we all just were "guilty without guilt."
ReplyDelete"Cold War" occurred shortly after the end of the World War II, when the Allies began to sum up its results. What did they see? First, the half of Europe was in the Soviet zone of influence, and there was feverishly appeared pro-Soviet regimes. Secondly, there was a powerful wave of the liberation movement in the colonies against the metropolitan. Third, the world was rapidly polarized and turning into a bipolar. Fourth, two superpowers formed on the world stage, their military and economic power gave them a significant advantage over others. Therefore, the interests of the Western countries were starting to come up against the interests of the USSR in different parts of the globe.
The cold war was begun in 5th march of 1946, and found its end in the 26th of December of 1991. As you can see, it began after the II World War and ended when Soviet Union stopped its existence. In fact, it was not a real war, the main thing in the Cold War was an ideology. Deep contradiction between the capitalist (USA) and socialist (Soviet union) models is the main cause of the Cold War. Two superpowers tried to rebuild the world according to their ideological assumptions. Therefore, we can say with confidence that the Cold War - a conflict of ideologies and leaders, caused because of their own ambitions, because Americans really were afraid of Russians, they were waiting for a moment when Russians would come and destroy them, on the other hand they had not anything against the citizens of Soviet union. The same thing was happening with Russians, they hated Americans, but Russians perceived them normally. First of all, two enemies had to persuade other countries. Western Europe was on the side of America. In addition to that, Britain supported America. Churchill in March 1946 visited USA, Fulton. His speech was about relations between USA, Britain and USSR. He said that in military cases English speaking countries should surpass USSR. Latin America and Asia were on the side of USSR. It is important to note that both powers had established their own long-range missiles in countries, who were neighbors with enemy. For example, USA established their rockets in Turkey, while USSR used Latin America for rockets. Competition in the Cold war included everything. Firstly, both countries have developed different types of weapons: a new military equipment, weapons (mostly for mass destruction), missiles, spy technique. Not only military sphere, also competition in sport, culture, science. Each of them wanted to be the first. Many of us wonder, who is the winner of that war? Obviously, the winner is America, because the Cold war was finished with the decay of USSR. This war did not give us any good lessons, what is good or what is wrong, we only made sure of the fact that the enemy never sleeps and is always ready. If this war had not have happened, two main powers could work together in science, in exploration of space. Who knows, maybe mobile phones and computers, internet could be invented 20 years earlier.
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ReplyDeleteThe Cold war lasted for 50 years between two powerful mounds. Usually people say that this war was about the disagreement in political and economical confrontation, but originally it was a global military, geopolitical, and mostly ideological. Deep disagreement between capitalism and socialism, these two powers tried to rebuild this world according to their ideologies. I think it is not a question, what the cold war was, because I might have continued telling it, that`s why I turn to my own opinion.
ReplyDeleteIn my mind`s eye, the USA won it, this is especially my opinion. Just noticing how world altered, USA developed desperately. As the way of example I want to remind, that we were forced to believe that western technology is better than domestic production.
Personally, I do not think that the Cold War was caused by “misunderstanding”. Actually, in my opinion, our world is always in the conditions of Cold War. Sometimes we can really feel it; sometimes we do not pay to attention to it but it exists despite our perception of the world. We know that “official” cold war started in 1946 and the reason, as I said before, is not about misunderstanding. Real reasons struck roots deep into history but not only of 2 exact countries. It could happen even if superpowers were, for example, China and France. The Cold War is just an action that is taken because of country’s wish to be the leading superpower.
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