The Cold War, an extended period of geopolitical tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, was marked by a deep ideological standoff that shaped world politics from the late 1940s to the early 1990s rather than by military combat. During this time, many conflicts and indirect wars showed how capitalism and communism compete for power worldwide. This essay examines the primary sources of conflict in the Cold War, using critical statements from leaders who directly shaped this global struggle. We will look at Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech (Article 3), the Truman Doctrine's defensive and offensive positions (Article 4), and John F. Kennedy's thoughts regarding the intense tensions at the edge of war during the Cuban Missile Crisis (Article 1). Each source shows how ideological, military, and …show more content…
The Cold War began due to this speech, which inspired Western opposition to Soviet expansionism. President Harry S. Truman introduced the Truman Doctrine as a critical strategy for combating the Soviet Union's growing influence over Eastern Europe in 1947. This doctrine was first created to restrict Soviet geopolitical advancements in Greece and Turkey and stated that the U.S. would protect "free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures" (Article 4). This approach, which favored containing Soviet power worldwide, quickly became one of the most critical parts of U.S. foreign policy. As the Cold War grew more intense as the 1950s went on, the United States became more committed to restricting the Soviet Union and expanding its power throughout Eastern Europe. Both sides adopted bold military strategies during this intense ideological conflict: the United governments expanded its allies and bases in the Soviet