Introduction
After the World War II, another conflict began between the Soviet Union and the United States called cold war. Cold War refers to a pressure between nations, where each side implements strategies intended to reinforce it and deteriorate the enemy. The War originated with the Russian Revolution that formed a Soviet Russia (Amadae 2003, Pp. 40-86). The conflict between the two nations was never physical but rather related to the military, economic, and ideological rivalry. Ross (2002, p. 34) stated that the U.S. had a better ideological and economic status compared to that of Soviet Russia. The Russian civil war facilitated the extension of communism, which triggered a situation of suspicion and panic within Europe. The policy of independence initiated by the U.S. became the cause of hatred, which amplified the anti-Soviet aggression. The notion of this paper is to explore the notions of the origin of the cold war about the both revisionist and orthodox views: post-revisionist.
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The revisionist opinion outlines that the U.S. was the major cause of the cold when it intentionally unrestrained the wartime strategy of cooperation. It took the privilege of its atomic bomb and espionage to inaugurate democracy and expel Russian influence from Europe (Amadae 2003, P. 40-86). The orthodox interpretation of the origin of Cold War explains that the USSR was responsible for its start. The cold war was a crucial reaction of democratic individuals to communist hostility (Arnold & Wiener 2012, P. 130). The post-revisionist notion states that both the Russians and Americans initiated the battle. However, different studies on the post-revisionist indicate that scholars put dissimilar weight on either side of the opinion and argue that the U.S. contributed more to cause of cold war.
The foundation of the cold war was the difference in power, National Security, and ideology. Gaddis (2000 P.20) stated that cold war originated in 1914 after World War II when the opposing concepts of the substantial democracy and communism began the conflict. The Russian Revolution in 1917 and the 1918 civil war created tension in the West (Leffler & Westad 2010, P.p. 150-230). The pressure called for action taken by President Wilson Woodrow of directing the fighting flocks against the Bolsheviks. Before the beginning of the tension, the president in the Congress meeting addressed the need for global cooperation, free trade, freedom, and peace among nations. In his points, he supported national self-determination and that the main reason for sending the group into a fight.
The hunger for power made the U.S. stand against the Russian Revolution. They knew that allowing the Russian government to initiate communism would interfere with the existence of the international cooperation by stopping free trade, which the greatest strength of the U.S. economy. According to Arnold & Wiener (2012 Pg. 80), the rebellion in Russia did not support the international freedom and peace. The fear of losing leadership and power in trade created the hostility against the communists. Wilson’s intervention convinced the Western nations that the Americans would do whatever it takes to stop the vision of the communists (Amadae 2003, Pp. 40-86).
The conflict began when the alliance among Russia, U.S, and the Britain leaders started having issues. The association among the three nations from 1917 up to the point when Bolsheviks grabbed authority (Gaddis 2000, P.20). Bolsheviks converted a dispersed reconciliation with the Central Powers at Agreement of Brest-Litovsk, thus causing the mistrust the Soviet Union and the America. The Soviet Russia realized their segregation from the international discretion and their enclosure by an aggressive capitalistic development (Leffler & Westad 2010, P.p. 150-230). The negotiation represented the defense to create the division between the Soviet enemies. The pressure between Russia and its allies turned powerfully philosophical. The ideologies, significant differences, and the hunger for power were the biggest issues between the allies.
The attempt of Russia to protect its National Security posed a threat to the West. Achievement of state security was possible then with the help of post-war organization such the United Nations (Levering 2001, p. 132). However, Russians refused to join the association claiming that the U.N. was an American organization. During the Potsdam seminar, Stalin denied a request to remove its troops from Eastern and Central Europe and to allow the conduction of unrestricted elections in Poland (Amadae 2003, Pp. 40-86). He appealed that withdrawing its troops would be a threat to its national security. The main source of Russian harm depends on the status of Poland border. It was essential for the Soviet Russia to protect its border and therefore, its national security.
The greatest purpose for the beginning of the conflict was the separation of Germany. The Britain, U.S, and Russia did not come to a covenant on the partition of Germany (Gaddis 2000, P.20). The two superpowers, the United States, and the Britain had a plan to amalgamate the entire Germany under the Western policy. The Soviet Union reacted to the situation by combining its clutches on Europe by forming satellites. The situation led to the formation of Communist Federation, which dominated approximately half of Europe (Lewkowicz 2008, P. 54). The action was questionable on whether Stalin wanted to create a global communist movement or he was protecting its borders from any form of intervention from its allies. The purpose of his actions was never clear.
The foundation of cold rotated around the relationship in the innovative improvement in the United States and Soviet. In early 1946, Truman gave up on the Soviets and gave it a description of a nation that comprehends “only an iron and strong language.” (Levering 2001, p. 132). Later Stalin reacted to this with a speech emphasizing on the fundamental irreconcilability between Soviet socialism and the Western Republic. A telegram by Kennan (1946 p. 80) indicated that the root of the Soviet danger to the West addressed the need to legitimate their wounded authoritarianism. The Russian must believe in the predictable achievement of socialism over capitalism to defend their history and culture. The Soviet was to use available chances to expand their system.
The United States being in ownership of a hazardous weapon, it created tension between the Russians national security. The nuclear age started when the U.S. tested their atomic bomb on the day of Potsdam conference. Was the Russian concern about their national security right? Yes, several answers revolve around this question (Lewkowicz 2008, P. 54). The existence of the atomic bomb posed a threat to the entire world. How could the U.S. preach for international peace, freedom, and cooperation when they created the most harmful weapon that could cause conflict? The U.S. were very certain about the state safety having the most dangerous defense and claimed that it had a connection with other nations (Mccauley 2008 p. 76). The American took the privilege of the issue of national security to dominate globally.
American actions encourage colonization and ascendency of the world but not international freedom and peace. For instance, during the war in Korea they sent their soldiers in the cover of protest of unity. Their real mission was to form a ground for their interest. In the Truman’s allegation on imperialism, he said that UN was in Korea with the aim of conquering it (Levering 2001, p. 132). There was fear of the spread of their effect to Asia and Europe. In his statement, “We are fighting in Korea for our national security and survival”, the President knew that if the socialism wins in Korea, it might interfere with his strategy of supremacy (Okoth 2010, p. 250).
Propaganda is a great deterrent for American politicians. The attempt of the Russian government to develop nuclear power threaten Americans were making them use the intervention against Russia (Leffler & Westad 2010, P.p. 150-230). The U.S. citizen protested for its termination, claiming that Russian empire was creating a dangerous weapon that would destroy the world. Russians being under the tension of its enemy, it tried to develop its weapon for national defense. They had justifiable reasons to create their nuclear weapons since they were in an arms race with the U.S. The dream of America to be in supremacy could not allow them to accept the defeat by any nation (Mccauley 2008 p. 76). Most nation internationally feared Russia for being in possession of huge resources for nuclear power development.
The espionage in the U.S. was another form of propaganda. Americans used royal and social media and Hollywood actors against the communists (Lewkowicz 2008, P. 54). They publish that America was a nation that supported freedom of religion, speech, and political ideas compared to Russia where there was killing or execution of the anti-communists. These media platforms were under control to release the twisted notion and not the reality. The Americans were the pressure from the communism that they would begin within its citizen. The truth is that punishment was to those who supported socialism such as public figures in the royal and social media (Okoth 2010, p. 250). America used publicity as their greatest weapon during the origin of cold war.
Americans did not interest in the international cooperation but rather in conquering the USSR. Everything becomes clear after the leader of the Soviet Union passed away when George Malenkov spoke on behalf of the party (Arnold & Wiener 2012, P. 130). He proposed for peaceful synchronicity of both nations, which sent a spiking message of cooperation and peace with the U.S. government. It never a propaganda from the Soviet, they preached peace and that is all they wanted. However, the United States secretary’s response showed that they had no interest in making peace. In his statement, “We are not dancing on any Russian tune,” he clearly showed future intervention on international freedom, peace, and cooperation (Mccauley 2008 p. 76).
The U.S. action of spying on the USSR was another issue that cause the cold war. During the reign of Nikita Hushovd, he fought for peace between the two superpowers (Amadae 2003, Pp. 40-86). He became the first leader in the USSR history to visit the U.S. meeting. Later the Americans began spying on the Soviet by use of its espionage planes. Unfortunately, the Soviets shut down one of the American’s plane, crushing the aspiration for peace. If the American government wanted peace then why would they spy on Soviets, especially when they were in the middle of their national parade? The question showed the doubt on whether the U.S. preserved the ideology and national security or they wanted to dominate the world (Okoth 2010, p. 250).
The Vietnam War was another intervention where the U.S. showed its thirst for supremacy over the world (Gaddis 2000, P.20). America assisted South Vietnam in the war and gave it a hand in changing from socialism into a capitalist nation. The biggest fear then was the suspicion that Vietnamese would turn to support communism and. Therefore, many nations would follow being it had a lot of influence. The leader of the Vietnam being a communist, he uses socialism to govern his people. The fight carried for almost two decades without any success thereby pushing the Americans to withdraw. The Vietnam citizen lost hope in the democratic federation and turned to communism (Phillips 2001, p. 98). A statement from the President that failure in Vietnam War did not show the end of American reign over the world was clear evidence that the U.S. was fighting for power and not for peace.
President Truman permitted approximately $ 400 million for the mechanical expansion program in Africa, Latin America, and Asia after the fear of colonialist in the Soviet Union (Leffler & Westad 2010, P.p. 150-230). The program had the aim of revolutionizing and consolidation developing countries to discourage the spread of socialism. American’s agenda was not to help the countries but rather to control them in future. It was one of the stages passed through by U.S. to rule the world (Okoth 2010, p. 250). The three superpower had different ideas: the Americans wanted political and economic supremacy, British sought power balance while Russia though of influence. The Russians main goal was to protect their national security, which was under fear.
The creation of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was another step that the U.S. adopted to dominate Europe (Arnold & Wiener 2012, P. 130). The reason for NATO emergence was the fear of the renewal of Soviet aggression in Europe. Western Europe required a guarantee of protection from aggression by the U.S. government (Ross 2002, p. 34). NATO indicated that nobody would separate Americans from European affairs. Even though there was no evidence of future expectations of the Soviet attack, NATO did not create advanced levels of global tension. The U.S. and USSR had a great difference (Levering 2001, p. 132). The American has several interventions in almost every nation that wanted to join communism while the Soviets assisted those countries that were ready to join the socialists. The situation indicated the Americans concern only about their global position but not people’s need.
The study shows that some scholars have the traditionalists’ view of the origin of cold war. The desire of Moscow’s leaders to promote the security of the Soviet was the foundation of the war (Mccauley 2008 p. 76). Stalin used philosophical pomposity to militarize his followers for the war. He wanted to control several regions to promote national security. The Soviet leadership believed that by conquering several nation, it would protect its nation. The aim was to overturn the Europe and the Balkans to facilitate the ideologies of the Soviet. Stalin wanted to construct an empire without going against the U.S. government. According to Gaddis, J. L. (2000), Soviet policy triggered the onset of the cold war.
The Soviet’s hostile intentions based on the communist philosophy and the desire for defense for internal tyranny were some of the ways that triggered cold war. The Americans felt threatened by the Soviet action to spread socialism in the Eastern Europe calling them to react (Lewkowicz 2008, P. 54). They were certain that communism would extend very fast to non-communist thus leaving them the only capitalist nation. Besides, communism was not in support of free international trade, which the strongest basis of the U.S. (Phillips 2001, p. 98). The initiated several interventions in the most countries to avoid losing them. Therefore, the presence of socialism among the Soviet and fear of its spread caused the reactions that promoted cold war.
The relationship between Stalin and Truman was also another cause of the origin of cold war. Truman accused the leader from Soviet for not conducting a free election as agreed in the conference (Mccauley 2008 p. 76). Poland being at the border was susceptible to treat for the U.S. Stalin wanted to use to Poland as a national safeguard to avoid any upcoming incursions from occurring, following the loss of the World War II. Stalin addressed the accusation by saying that he was willing to comply with the demand, but to surrender the attentiveness of security of Russians (Okoth 2010, p. 250). However, his enemy reacted to this by saying that there were no differences between the leadership of Hitler and that of Russia.
Even though a new strategy existed, there was a claim that the Soviet leaders still acted under revolutionary. In 1953, the Soviets managed to obtain a huge empire was not willing to let it go. The most important aspect was to extend the effect of socialism (Arnold & Wiener 2012, P. 130). The call for peaceful coexistence by the Khrushchev did not reflect the actions of Moscow, thereby alerting the obligation to the radical- majestic standard (Lewkowicz 2008, P. 54). During the tenancy of Kremlin, there was an increased support for the nationalist of the Third World, which posed a threat to the U.S. nuclear weapon. The action of Khrushchev has a great damage to the relationship between the two antagonists.
The attempt of Soviet leaders to guide in the period of intervention called détente. They never wanted conflict but instead were in thirst for global peace (Levering 2001, p. 132). However, it did not give any reason for the rolling back of the Iron Curtain or abandoning the revolutionary. They thought that by creating an era of firmness between the superpowers, they would protect the Soviet empire. Despite the renounce of the use of force by the Soviet, Americans continued with the ideological colonialism in the Third World (Leffler & Westad 2010, P.p. 150-230). They wanted to dismantle the Soviet Union segregation, destroy the old philosophies, and to revive its present situation.
The development of a new strategy apart from the Soviet policy that aimed at creating ties with the West. The new strategy anticipated gaining adaptability of Moscow in the international phase. In summary, the Soviet Union contributed to the origin of cold by failing to observe the rules of elections, opposing capitalism, and their exploitation in the Soviet zone of Germany (Gaddis 2000, P.20). They felt threatened by the Americans nuclear weapon hence they had to secure the western border through the spread of communism. The disagreement between their leaders made it impossible to for the U.S. to share their nuclear secrets with Soviets in an attempt to build its own.
Conclusion
The cold war originated from the differences in the political interest USSR and the United States. The dissimilarity in the culture of the American leaders and their virtuous rationalizations for negotiation from Soviet Union leaders’ socialist’s colonialist policies led to disagreement. The basis of the war was alliance formation and future strategies preparations. There were no physical battle but rather political and economic threats. Distrust, suspicion, and dishonesty had an unspecified source between the two nations. They both implemented policies that designed their country in their desired directions thus rendering both parties at fault; they both contributed to the separation and therefore blamed for the origin of cold war. However, the United States contributed much of its effort to the cold war with aim of conquering the world.
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