How Did George Kennan Handle The Soviet Union

During 1946, George Kennan had written the famous Long Telegram. This Telegram was one of the most influential pieces of work that was done during the start of the Cold War. At the begging of it, Kennan had focused on explaining the history of how the Soviet Union’s Marxian ideology came to be. Kennan then informed about the policy containment. This policy gives a way for the United States to keep the Soviet Union at bay. The policy such as George Kennan’s would overall not work.
Within George Kennan’s famous Long Telegram, he focuses on explain the history of the “subtle evolution” of Marxian ideology and its effects on the Soviet leaders. In the telegram, Kennan informs, “…yet the attempt must be made if that conduct is to be understood and effectively countered.” In order for the United States to counter the Soviet Union’s communism, a person must understand the basics of how the Soviet Union had gotten to the point that they did. Without fully understanding, the United States would be at a disadvantage with handling the Soviet Union. By adding the information about the “subtle evolution” of Marxian ideology, George Kennan was able to have an effective argument within his telegram.

This policy was a way to keep the Soviet Union from spreading communism. Within the telegram, Kennan states, “…they [the Russian leaders] are highly conscious that the loss of temper and of self-control is never a source of strength in political affairs.” In order to prevent the spreading of communism, it is a necessity for the containment policy to be a constant diplomatic approach, so the Soviet Union does not see this policy as an attack. The Soviet Union sees aggression as a weakness; furthermore, they will utilize this weakness against the United States. According to Kennan, containment should be the official policy, as it would prevent a war with the Soviet