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Causes Of The Cold War

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Causes Of The Cold War
In August of 1945, World War II finally came to an end. After six years of fighting, most of the world was left in ruins, debt, and overall devastation. As the world fell apart, so did the relationships forged during the war. The differing ideas of how the world postwar should be between the United States and the Soviet Union caused major tension and mistrust. “The Cold War first emerged over clashing Soviet and American interest in Eastern Europe” (Roark, pg 713) The Cold War was fought from 1947 to 1989, but armed conflict never actually took place. However, many countries took sides on whose ideas they would support. The United States democracy was more appealing to most of the world than the Soviet Union’s communist government. Since the …show more content…
Not only was the land destroyed by warfare, but the economy from the cost of war was too. “In considering of the requirements for the rehabilitation of Europe the physical loss of life, the visible destruction of cities, factories, mines, and railroads was correctly estimated, but it has become obvious during recent months that the visible destruction was probably less serious than the dislocation of the entire fabric of European economy.” (Present in the Past, pg 71) The devastation of the economy caused banks to close, commercial ties to be cut, and trade to seize. Two countries, Greece and Turkey, were in desperate need of help if they hoped to continue as free states. Because of the failed economy, the value of their money decreased dramatically. With the decrease in value, came the inability to buy essentials, such as clothing. Also, farmers could not get what they desired for their crops, so they withdrew their food from the market. Overall, without crops for food or materials for other needs, the countries were unable to restart their economy. They pleaded for outside assistance, which was answered by the …show more content…
In order to spread the idea of communism, he needed to have countries free of the help of the most powerful nation in the world. Stalin’s belief that “The Second World War arose as the inevitable result of the development of the world economic and political forces basis of monopoly capitalism…” showed that he opposed the financial assistance of the United States. (Roark, pg 716) In his speech to Moscow, Stalin urged a Soviet social system in contrast to a non-Soviet system, saying that it provided more stability and life. The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan were exact opposite of all he believed. Where the U.S. wanted free people, economic freedom, and united nations, Stalin wanted a controlled, communistic way of life. Although Stalin refrained from war during the cold war, it was not from lack of
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