The Cold War caused an overwhelming fear throughout the American population. There are many factors that played a role in the Cold War, such as countries in need, tension between leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union and atomic weapons. Many people wonder if the Cold War could have been avoided, but was the Cold War inevitable? After World War II, multiple countries needed help economically and they needed help with reconstruction. Former President, Harry S. Truman, stated, “Under these circumstances the people of Greece cannot make progress in solving their problems of reconstruction. Greece is in desperate need of financial and economic assistance to enable it to resume purchases of food, clothing, fuel and seeds” (“The Truman Doctrine”). Without the help of the United States, these countries would have continued to suffer and they may have even been …show more content…
Nikolai Novikov brings up these weapons by stating, “For this purpose broad plans for expansion have been developed and are being implemented through diplomacy and the establishment of a system of naval and air bases stretching far beyond the boundaries of the United States, through the arms race, and through the creation of ever newer types of weapons” (“Telegram Regarding American Postwar Behavior”). Equally important, the Soviet Union had gained power from World War II. They had created weapons for their advantage also. Novikov explains, “At the same time the USSR’s international position is currently stronger than it was in the prewar period. Thanks to the historical victories of Soviet weapons, the Soviet armed forces are located on the territory of Germany and other formerly hostile countries, thus guaranteeing that these countries will not be used again for an attack on the USSR” (“Telegram Regarding American Postwar Behavior”). The strength of the Soviet Union was definitely a fear for the United States, which contributed to the