Who Really Started the Cold War?

Cold War Map

U.S Nuclear Missle

The Soviet Union was the sole reason for why the Cold War commenced approximately in 1947 after the conclusion of World War II. This war however was not a large scale war, but rather a political war between two super powers. The United States and the Soviet Union wanted to express their power over one another through military dominance and even in technological advances. This constant battle for power would lead to a near, full-out nuclear warfare between the two oppositions.

Stalin had always given off bad blood to America. From the times of 1918, Russia was not able to forget the memories of America trying to demolish the Russian Revolution. In addition, they believed that America and Britain were both delayed D-Day during World War II because they wanted Germany to weaken the Soviet Union considerably. This sense of mistrust led to many other conflicts that would just continue to rise higher and higher. 

The selfish nature of the Soviet Union to expand their power was an offensive threat to many countries around them. They refused to abide and cooperate with their former allies and the United Nations. U.S diplomat, George Kennan, sent a “Long Telegram” to explain the reckless nature of the Soviets to take over all of Europe. Kennan would then implement a foreign policy called “Containment”, which would soon be adopted by President Truman and later presidents. Joseph Stalin’s constant military expansion caused the United States to take precaution and build up their own army, which was only a mere act of defense. Furthermore, the use of espionages by the Soviet Union to obtain political and military information was a move that enraged the United States. These missteps that were taken, were in many ways contributions to the start and buildup of the Cold War.

Cold War Tanks (U.S)

Within the Truman Doctrine, President Truman acknowledged that he would do everything in his power to protect the people who were under totalitarian regimes. He would do this primarily through economic and financial aid. Thus, we could view this as an action taken by the United States to protect the people of the third world who couldn’t protect themselves. It was the duty of the United States to lead the world to peace and prevent the Soviet Union from spreading their selfish ideology of communism that put the state needs ahead of the rights of humanity. In correlation, the United State’s goal was also to spread their ideology of democracy, which gave people freedom and equality. From this, we could see a more defensive approach by the United States, while the Soviet Union took a more offensive approach.

How could you possibly blame the United States when they were just acting on for the good of this world? The Soviet Union on the other hand was the complete opposite as they were just acting on for the good of themselves. For this very reason, we could see that the Soviet Union instigated the Cold War.

Nuclear Warfare this close

Truman and Stalin

Citations:

- http://www.johndclare.net/cold_war3.htm

- Keynote: Cold War Begins

- Cold War Documents ABCD

- Textbook: American Anthem (Ch. 25)

Images:

http://ocw.nd.edu/physics/nuclear-warfare/images-1/Cold-War-Map.jpg/image_view_fullscreen

http://www.talkandroid.com/52984-the-smartpone-cold-war-is-the-motorola-mobility-acquisition-googles-greatest-move-or-their-worst/cold-war/

http://video.agaclip.com/w=KXISTmNlmpk

http://www.thefeeherytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Cold-War-Tanks.jpg

http://gajitz.com/u-s-homes-powered-partially-by-russian-nuclear-weapons/