Discuss the meaning and causes of origin of cold war
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✔Definition of the Cold War
Definition of the Cold WarThe Cold War was a period of economic, political and military tension between the United States and Soviet Union from 1945 to 1991. ... This battle of ideologies resulted in increased national security, diplomatic tension and proxy wars between the two powerful nations.
Answer:
Definition of the Cold War
The Cold War was a period of economic, political and military tension between the United States and Soviet Union from 1945 to 1991. Following the end of the Second World War, complications arose centering on the shifting of international power. The Soviet Union wanted to acquire additional territory while the United States attempted to limit the gains desired by the Soviets. This battle of ideologies resulted in increased national security, diplomatic tension and proxy wars between the two powerful nations.
Genesis of the Cold War
The beginning of the Cold War is linked to the Potsdam Conference in the summer of 1945. The intention of the meeting was to discuss the realignment of post-war Europe. However, discussions broke down into threats. The United States and Soviet Union agreed upon the division of Berlin, but the Soviets, under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, wanted to acquire Poland as a buffer against future attacks.
President Harry Truman rejected Stalin's demands, citing the right of self-determination in the case of Poland. Truman then revealed his master card: the atomic bomb. Upon learning of the specifics of this destructive weapon, Stalin ordered a crash program to commence in order to speed arms development and counter the atomic bomb.
Truman and the Cold War
President Truman may have had the most profound effect on heightening the tension between the Soviet Union and the United States. In September 1945, as a means of limiting Soviet economic reconstruction, Truman suspended the Lend-Lease Act, which was an infusion of monetary and military aid from the United States to beleaguered nations during the Second World War. This aid helped nations such as Britain, France and the Soviet Union economically survive the war years. Unfortunately, the plan backfired as the Soviets decided to acquire satellite states, (known as members of the Warsaw Pact) in order to make up for the lost funding.
With Soviet expansion came a heightened fear from both the United States federal government and the general American public. This trepidation was increased upon the release of United States Diplomat to Moscow George Kennan's 'Long Telegram', or the 'X-Article.' Kennan was a trusted adviser to Truman, and his 'Long Telegram' became the basis for the policy of containment. As you will see, the development of a national security state was the byproduct of Kennan's recommendations, as well as the growing fear of expansion of communism.