Introduction
Cold War was a period in world history where the tension between the United States of America and the Soviet Union was at its peak. The counties and their respective allies were fighting for global influence in the fields of politics and economy. The Cold War was not waged with armies or weapons, as all the participants had access to powerful tools of mass destruction capable of incinerating much of the world’s population in minutes. It was the time when the world was closest to total annihilation. The War reached its peak around 1948-53, with the danger of a global catastrophe being closer than ever.
Nationalism
There were 3 primary participants in the Cold War, the three nations playing the biggest part in it’s events. During WW2 the rivalry for global domination and the threat of Nazi violence made it difficult for courtiers to see eye to eye. One of the key characters to improve the relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States was Franklin Roosevelt. Due to his attitudes and approaches, Americans were able to work in tandem with the Soviets against a common enemy. One of the problems facing Roosevelt was that the common perception of the Soviet Union was largely negative. Roosevelt was largely in favor of working with the Russian Government, seeing the alliance between the big three as beneficial (Weiss, 2012). He held Stalin in high regard and considered him an ally for establishing a democratic rule in the world (Weiss, 2012). Roosevelt is quoted to say: “I just have a hunch that Stalin is not that kind of man. Harry [Truman] says he’s not… I think that if I give him everything I possibly can, and ask nothing from him in return… he won’t try to annex anything and will work with me for a world of democracy and peace” (Quotations: Origins of the Cold War 2019).
Winston Churchill was the Prime minister of Great Britain during the times of the Cold War. The period signified a time of tribulations for many, and Churchill was one of the people able to predict its occurrence. Churchill is recorded as stating: “We and all nations, stand at this hour in human history, before the portals of supreme catastrophe and of measureless reward. My faith is that in God’s mercy we shall choose aright” (Winston Churchill and the Cold War). Churchill felt like his country was caught in-between the struggle of two extremely powerful nations, and leaned towards a peaceful resolution that would satisfy both parties. He believed that the wellbeing and safety of Europe could be balanced with Russia’s desire for influence, saying “I do not believe that the immense problem of reconciling the security of Russia with the freedom and safety of Western Europe is insoluble…” (Winston Churchill and the Cold War).
With the defeat of Nazi Germany, the alliance of the three nations crumbled, and Russia began to solidify ins influence in Europe. Stalin, as the leader of the Soviet Union, was heavily opposed to capitalism and saw communism as a better approach to leading the nation. His main priorities lied in ensuring the peace and prosperity of the world and preventing another global war from occurring. In 1952, Stalin wrote: “Under a certain confluence of circumstances, the struggle for peace may possibly develop in one place or another into a struggle for socialism. This, however, would no longer be the present peace movement but a movement for the overthrow of capitalism”( Stalin on the Inevitability of War with Capitalism).
Ideology
While not being one of the instigators of the Cold War, Great Britain had its own stakes in the conflict. Britain, much like the US, was heavily rooted in capitalism and relied on its previous colonial tendencies to support the economy. The rising prominence of the socialist Soviet regime was seen as a threat to the established system, and Russia’s harsh territorial expansion worsened the relationship with the UK further. During the Second World War, the country has collaborated with the Soviet Union, but their relationship soon deteriorated, largely due to the latter’s actions in Eastern Europe (Britain in the Cold War 2018). Having an ideological clash with the Soviet Government, Britain opposed its expansion efforts and sided with the US.
The Soviet Union has been gaining power in the years preceding the Cold War. Under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, the nation has put effort into developing its infrastructure, military, trade, and production industries. The main ideology of the Soviets was socialism and communism, a left-wing belief centering on the power of the working class. In 1948, the Soviet Government has aided other East-European countries in being led by communist-sympathetic governments, creating a stronger base for support and trade. Similarly to America, the Cold War was a period to find new allies and establish its influence on the larger scale for Russia (What were Joseph Stalin’s goals as World War Two ended?).
The relationship between the US and the Soviets was already strained by conflicting ideologies and the fight for domination over new territory. Many at the time saw Russia as primitive and threatening to the capitalist society, making communication impossible. The United States, hailing capitalism and individualism as their primary ideology, had a severe clash with the values of the Soviet Government. The notions of sharing means of production and giving more power to the workers were something America was extremely aversive to, mainly because of the overwhelming influence of millionaires and the upper class.
Paranoia
The period was especially stressful to the participants because non knew what to expect from the enemy. In both the United States and the Soviet Union, rising tensions were used as an excuse to amass military might and contribute to the arms buildup. The U.S used weapons to contain and prevent communist expansion, contributing to the spending in defense. Atomic weapons were being developed on both sides, and their use was heavily considered on various occasions. Their tests have clearly shown the might and intentions of the two nations, and the outcome of the conflict seemed dangerous. The existence of weapons of mass destruction made communication and negotiation impossible, as they were filled with fearmongering and misinformation. The ideological and political slash between the U.S and the Soviet Union manifested in the creation of the Red Scare, a period when anti-soviet, anti-socialist sentiments were promoted. By shifting the public perception of the topic, America has rallied its people against its enemies.
Reference List
Britain in the Cold War (2018). Gojimo. Web.
Quotations: Origins of the Cold War (2019). The Cold War. Web.
Stalin on the Inevitability of War with Capitalism (2015). Seventeen Moments in Soviet History. Web.
Weiss, C., 2012. Roosevelt’s Warm Alliance and the Cold War.UConn Today. Web.
What were Joseph Stalin’s goals as World War Two ended? Daily History. Web.
Winston Churchill and the Cold War. National Churchill Museum. Web.