After the debatable “success” of the atomic bomb there was talk of using it again Every country now wanted to know who had one, where it was kept, and when/if they would be using it Causes Differences between the US and the Soviet Union were intensified by suspicions after the war. Power was largely shared between the Soviet Union and the United States. As one wanted to dominate the other conflicts were inevitable. Cold and warm Open warfare is referred
To avoid war in the years 1935 to 1938, Britain and France turned a blind eye to small acts of aggression and expansion, the United States went along with this policy. Even though Roosevelt knew of the threat the Fascist proposed he was still worried about the majority of the isolationist throughout the country. Testing the waters in 1937 he spoke about the democracies teaming up and trying to “quarantine” the problem. The public did not take to well on this idea, and he quickly dropped the subject. Even though that speech failed Roosevelt somehow managed to argue for neutrality but at the same time convince Congress to start building up the arms and increase the military and naval budget by nearly two-thirds in 1938.
The allies met at Potsdam in July 1945, where the German division was agreed, though there were still disagreements over Poland. At this conference, there is some evidence supporting that early development of the cold war was primarily due to great power rivalry, when Truman was informed of successful explosion of an atomic bomb. He kept this secret from Stalin, not knowing that through his spy network, he was already aware. This only emphasizes the distrust between the two superpowers, and shows strive for power on both sides. In 1946, George Kennan, American ambassador to Moscow formulated the USA’s ‘containment’ policy through the Kennan telegram.
The Second World War ended in 1945 with the victory of ‘the Grand Alliance’ of the USSR, the USA and Britain. Although on the surface it appeared the West and the Soviets had reached a mutual understanding in their quest to defeat the Axis powers, strains in their relationship during the war and in the years preceding it suggests that conflict was imminent. Thus, certain actions by both the USA and the USSR can be interpreted as prompting the Cold War as early as 1945. As the Cold War did not involve direct conflict between the USA and USSR, locating its origin is a topic of contention. However, the breakdown in relations between the emerging superpowers during the war and the consequences of the disbandment of the Grand Alliance can be interpreted as the start of the Cold War.
America First Committee- in1940 after WWII began isolationists were alarmed by Roosevelt’s pro British policies. To mobilize public opinion against war they formed the America First Committee. Speakers like Charles Lindbergh, traveled the country and spoke out against war. Prelude to War To avoid open conflict with Germany, a policy of appeasement was adopted. And allowed Hitler to get away with small acts of aggression and expansion.
During the Cold War, there was a massive increase nuclear weapons manufactured. This disposed a danger because a small conflict could have escalated into a full-scale nuclear war. This possibility forced the two powers to co-exist is a forced friendship. Instead of fighting each other directly, indirect confrontation was chosen instead, and on several occasions. There are several reasons as to why they never met each other directly on the battlefield.
Zinoviev’s Letter Munich agreement September 1938 Appeasement policy Conclusion v Regardless of the war, a Cold War scenario was inevitable due to Political, economic and ideological differences. v WW II only intensified a previously existing problem Word Count: 1974 Karan Agarwal 12 E The era post World War two saw great dominance by the USA and the USSR as they possessed greater economic and military might than any other countries in the world at the time. Britain, France and Germany, the pre-war powers lay in ruins at the end of 1945, therefore allowing their dominance and power to shift to the USA and USSR. Bernard Baruch coined the term ‘Cold War’ during a congressional debate in 1947 stating that the situation was just
Through the Yalta Conference, in February 1945, the US successfully gained Soviet support for the Pacific War and invasion of the Japanese empire. However, the US was reluctant to share the post-war administration of Japan with the Soviet Union, meaning it needed to gain victory before Soviet entry into the war during mid-August. Only the atomic bomb would allow this to occur since it could destroy vital military targets, therefore making it the only option available to the
After Roosevelt died Truman became the American president. One of the reasons is the dropping of the atomic bomb. During the Potsdam Conference Truman attempted to show he’s authority to other countries by dropping a bomb in Japan. Truman believed that America was one of the most powerful countries in the world and wanted to prove it. Another reason to why America is to blame is after the success of the atomic bomb the members of the Grand Alliance began to see changes in Truman’s behaviour as he started to control the meetings they had and Stalin refused to be bossed around so arguments between Stalin and Truman started, they started.
How did the USA resist soviet expansionism? * -Cointainment (Truman doctrine) * -Sending military advisors to governments facing threats from communism. * -Atomic bombs * -Economic plans such as Marshall plan to recover the prosperity of europe to lessen the spread of communism. * -Propaganda. * -Domino theory - USA tried to keep the next domino from falling.