Why Was The Cold War Between Us And The Soviet Union

The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union was not a surprise. The United States and the Soviet Union became allies during World War II because of Germany and its attempt to take control over most of Europe. Because of this, the USSR wanted the United States and Britain as allies to form a Western Front to force Hitler to pull a large number of his troops out of Russia and take some pressure off the Soviets. On the other hand, the United States and the Soviet Union's alliance fell apart after the war ended because of their opposing economic ideologies. The cold war began because of many contributing factors. Of these contributing factors, the three that stand out the most are ideological differences, uneven war costs, and a

One reason that the United States and the USSR became enemies was their ideological differences. One piece of evidence that supported this was the telegram that George Kennan wrote that was titled "The Source of Soviet Conduct." This source talks about George Kennan's view on the situation with the USSR. This source states, "In these circumstances, it is clear that the main element of any United States policy towards the Soviet Union must be that of long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies…. " This is talking about how the United States should have a policy of dealing with the Soviet Union and their plan to expand territory and influence in Europe. A second piece of evidence supporting this reason is "Sinews of Peace" by Winston Churchill. In this source, Churchill says, "A shadow has fallen upon the scenes so lately lighted by the Allied victory. Nobody knows what Soviet Russia and its Communist international organization intend to do in the immediate future, or what are the limits, if any, to their expansive…tendencies." Churchill is talking about the Soviet Union and their communist international organization by saying "A shadow has fallen upon the scenes so lately lighted by the Allied victory." Churchill, just like most Americas, did not like the Soviet Union and the way they do things. Because of these

Consider this evidence from telegrams between Joseph Stalin and Franklin D. Roosevelt that proves a lack of trust contributed to the Cold War. In the telegram from Stain to Roosevelt, Stalin says, "And so what we have at the moment is that the Germans on the Western Front have in fact ceased the war against Britain and America. At the same time, they continue the war against Russia, the Ally of Britain, and the U.S.A." In this excerpt, Stalin is accusing Roosevelt of secret negotiations between America, Germany, and Britain without Russia's involvement. Of course, Roosevelt denies these allegations by saying, "It is astonishing that a belief seems to have reached the Soviet Government that I have entered into an agreement with the enemy without first obtaining your full agreement." Further evidence of a lack of trust causing the Cold War is from "The Cold War" by John Lewis Gaddis, in which he speaks about the Manhattan Project. Gaddis states, "The fact that Stalin mounted a major operation to spy on his allies been destroyed…. That cannot be.” in the middle of a war he and they were waging In addition to seeing the bomb as together is another indication of his lack of shortening the war and thus denying the trust in them…" This excerpt from the source shows that Stalin did not trust his American and British allies.