Discussion Postings #3: The Origins of the Cold War

How did the United States and the Soviet Union contribute to the origins of the global, long-term confrontation known as the Cold War? Which country bears greater responsibility for starting the international conflict? Whose interpretation of the Cold War origins – Offner’s or Gaddis’ – do you find more persuasive and why?

After World War II, the Cold War started as a confrontation between the US and the Soviet Union due to altered postwar needs, ideologies, style, and power of the two nations. Both nations contributed to the Cold War as each believed in the superiority of its own ideals and institutions. The confrontation lasted more than forty years, claimed millions of victims, and significantly altered the political and economic structures of both nations (Textbook, p.248). The Soviet Union under Stalin imposed a strong-arm rule in Eastern Europe. They imposed the communist rule in Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria. By establishing communist governments in those nations, Moscow wanted to create a buffer zone against potential Western aggression, and an expansion perceived as direct threat by US and its allies. A communist coup in Czech in 1948 intensified the Cold War. (Textbook, p.248). The US also contributed to the confrontation by trying to counter Stalin’s communism and total domination of Eastern Europe. American leaders recognized pro-Soviet governments but quietly planned “the judicious use of covert operations applied at the appropriate time.” The use of foreign aid as a diplomatic weapon worsened the situation, and Truman’s pressure tactics intensified the Cold War as the Soviet Union considered them threats to their security. The implementation of policies such as the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall plan to support nations resisting Soviet influence, culminated in the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO) on April 4, 1949, which Stalin viewed with disdain (Textbook, p.265). I believe that the Soviet Union bears the greatest responsibility for starting the Cold War. Its expansion was considered a direct threat by the US and its allies, contributing to the growing mistrust and hostility. Stalin as ruthless opportunist had already bullied nations in Eastern Europe (Textbook, p.248).

Offner argues that President Truman’s provincialism and confrontational policies significantly contributed to the Cold War. He believes that Truman’s inconsistent policies, conflicting advices, and abrupt style were to blame. For instance, he called for a new government in Poland but still ended up recognizing a predominantly Communist Polish government. His lack of diplomatic approach to issues and aggressive approach towards the Soviet Union escalated tensions unnecessarily. He just wanted to assert American dominance and contain Soviet influence even at the expense of international stability (Offner, p.217). On the other hand, Gaddis views the Soviet Union as the main problem. Stalin had an authoritarian and imperial vision, which he sought to implement in a single-minded way. His policy of imperial expansion and consolidation made the Soviet Union a clear postwar adversary. At a time when Marxism-Leninism had widespread appeal, Stalin’s imperialism had to be countered (Gaddis, p.227). Personally, I find Gaddis’ perspective to be more persuasive. The Soviet Union’s aggressive expansion into Eastern Europe and the installation of communist government was a clear violation of the sovereignty of the people and that warranted a defensive response from the US and its allies. Truman’s policies may have worsened the tensions, but they were predominantly reactive to Soviet aggression.

References

Gaddis, J. L. (2005). Two Cold War empires: imposition vs. multilateralism. In Major problems in American history since 1945 (7th ed., pp. 223-232). Wordsworth, Cengage Learning.

Offner, A. A. (2005). Provincialism and confrontation: Truman's responsibility. In Major problems in American foreign relations, volume II: Since 1914 (7th ed., pp. 215-223). Wordsworth, Cengage Learning.

(Textbook) Paterson, T. G., Clifford, J. G., Brigham, R., Donoghue, M., Hagan, K. J., Kisatsky, D., & Maddock, S. J. (2015). American foreign relations: A history, Volume 2, Since 1895 (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.