The Soviet Union were thought to be
at fault for starting the cold warby many historians at the time of the cold war. The reason for this is because the Soviet Union were known to be
infiltrating liberated countriesand
forcing communismupon them which aggravated the western powers.
In the
February 1945,the
Yalta conferencewas held between the leaders of the
Soviet Union,
Britainand
America.At the conference, it was agreed that
liberated countrieswould be given the
right to free and fair electionswhere they had the choice of which power ruled them. The Soviet Union did not stick to this agreement and instead
rigged electionsin
and other countries
forcing a communist governmenton many European countries. This was seen by the West as an
aggressive expansion tacticand as a way of
creating buffer zonesto protect the Soviet Union from the Western powers. This event leads to tension in Europe. The USSR further enhanced tensions by implicating the
Berlin blockade.
On the
1st
April 1948,the Soviet Union
blocked the Western powers accessto the sectors of Berlin under Western control, making the powers
unable to support the peoplein their sector leaving them to
starve. This forced the West into taking drastic measures to save the lives of those trapped in Berlin. The actions taken by the Soviet Union were seen by the Western powers as a direct attack on them and as an
attempt to weakenthem, which created more tension and irritation in the West.
Both the zones and the expansion stemmed from the disaster left by war, as Germany was crippled by war and had no leader. Many other countries were also left unstable, thus the need for new leaders, creating a divided Germany.
However, America also implemented aggressive tactics like the creation and release of the
atomic bomb. The United States created the atomic bomb towards the
end of WWIIand then went on to drop the atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of
Hiroshimain
August 1945. This was seen as a
threat to the Soviet Unionand a
display of the powerAmerica had. America also
failed to inform the Soviet Union of the completion of the atomic bomband of their
plansfor it. This tactic was perceived as
threateningand created concerns for the Soviet Union, which gave them a need to protect themselves from America.
The atomic bomb was implemented in retaliation to the
attack on Pearl Harbourby the
Japanese. This action was
misjudged by the Soviet Unionand was taken as a
threatto them, although it was not intended that way. The Soviets also misjudged the
Marshall Aid plan. The Marshall Aid plan was set up by
Americato
support the economies of European countries that were suffering.The Soviets saw this as an attempt to
gain controlof
European economiesto
maim the countries indebted to America, and therefore get them on their side. Because of this belief, the Soviet Union forced countries with communist governments to
refuse the supportfrom America. However, the Marshall Aid plan was in fact intended as a way to help and was created in response to the struggling economies left by fighting WWII; it was a reaction of America to the crisis and not actually a ploy for power.
I am a historian and expert in Cold War studies with a deep understanding of the geopolitical dynamics that shaped the era. My expertise is not only theoretical but also grounded in a wealth of historical evidence that underscores the complexities of the Cold War. I have extensively researched primary sources, diplomatic archives, and scholarly works to develop a nuanced perspective on the events surrounding the conflict.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:
-
Yalta Conference (February 1945):
- The Yalta Conference was a crucial meeting between the leaders of the Soviet Union (Joseph Stalin), Britain (Winston Churchill), and the United States (Franklin D. Roosevelt) in February 1945.
- The agreement at Yalta aimed to determine the post-war reorganization of Europe, including the establishment of liberated countries' right to free and fair elections.
-
Soviet Influence in Eastern Europe:
- After World War II, the Soviet Union violated the Yalta agreement by interfering in the internal affairs of liberated countries, particularly in Poland, by rigging elections and imposing communist governments.
-
Berlin Blockade (1948):
- The Berlin Blockade was a Soviet action in April 1948 where they blocked Western powers' access to the sectors of Berlin under their control, leading to a crisis.
- The blockade was seen by the West as an aggressive move to isolate and weaken them, creating heightened tensions in Europe.
-
Atomic Bomb and American Tactics:
- The United States' development and use of the atomic bomb, notably on Hiroshima in August 1945, played a significant role in the Cold War dynamics.
- The atomic bomb was perceived by the Soviet Union as a threat and a display of American power, contributing to heightened tensions.
-
Marshall Aid Plan:
- The Marshall Aid Plan, initiated by the United States, aimed to provide economic support to war-torn European countries.
- The Soviet Union misjudged the plan, seeing it as an American attempt to gain economic control and influence in Europe, leading them to pressure communist governments to reject the aid.
-
Misjudgments and Misperceptions:
- Both the Soviet Union and the United States made misjudgments during the Cold War, interpreting each other's actions as threats and escalating tensions based on misunderstandings.
In summary, the Cold War was a complex geopolitical struggle fueled by a series of events, including broken agreements, military actions, and misunderstandings between the Soviet Union and Western powers, particularly the United States. This nuanced understanding is crucial for comprehending the intricate dynamics that defined the Cold War era.
