Origins of the Cold War
Read the overview, respond to the reflection boxes, and then move into the activity.
Two Allies, but Never Fully United
The Cold War began after World War II. During the war, the United States and the Soviet Union fought on the same side against Nazi Germany. But even as allies, they did not trust each other.
The United States distrusted Joseph Stalin and the communist government of the Soviet Union. The Soviets believed the United States had not acted fast enough to help them during the war. Soviet leaders thought that delay had cost millions of Russian lives.
So the Cold War did not begin suddenly. Before World War II had fully ended, both sides were already carrying fear, anger, and suspicion.
Quick Response
Why would the U.S. and Soviet Union have trouble trusting each other after the war?
Different Ideas About How Society Should Work
One major cause of the Cold War was ideology. The United States believed in democracy and capitalism. Americans valued elections, individual rights, and private ownership.
The Soviet Union believed in communism. In that system, the government controlled the economy and held much more power over society.
Each side believed its own system was better. Each also believed the other system was dangerous. This made cooperation much harder.
Quick Response
What was one major difference between the United States and the Soviet Union?
Distrust Grew into Fear
As World War II ended, tensions increased between the two new superpowers. The Soviet Union expanded communist influence in Eastern Europe. The United States saw this as a threat.
At the same time, Soviet leaders feared that capitalist countries were hostile to them and wanted to surround or weaken the Soviet Union. Each side assumed the worst about the other.
This fear mattered because it shaped how both countries interpreted events. Instead of assuming defense, they assumed aggression.
Quick Response
How can fear make conflict worse between countries?
Competition for Power
A third cause of the Cold War was power. World War II left much of Europe damaged and unstable. That meant the future of Europe was still being decided.
The United States and the Soviet Union both wanted influence over what happened next. The Soviet Union wanted friendly governments near its borders. The United States wanted to prevent Soviet domination and protect democratic allies.
This competition turned Europe into the first major arena of the Cold War.
Quick Response
Why did Europe matter so much after World War II?
The U.S. Response: Containment
The United States decided that communism had to be stopped from spreading further. This policy became known as containment.
In simple terms, containment meant the United States would support countries that were in danger of falling under communist influence. American leaders believed that if communism kept expanding, it would threaten freedom and stability in other parts of the world.
The Soviet Union, however, saw this as opposition to its influence. So each side believed the other was proving its worst fears.
Main Idea
The Cold War began because the United States and Soviet Union had different beliefs, distrusted each other after World War II, and competed for power and influence.
Final Response
In your own words, explain why the Cold War began.