Cold War DBQ

4/2/2020

Thesis Statement Time Folks!

write a thesis with the provided 7 documents
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- again, I will review this tomorrow. Try to post by noon Friday 4.3

Chandler Schurley

4/2/2020 07:00:32 pm

From 1941 to 1949 increased suspicion and tensions between the United States in North America and The Soviet Union in Eurasia were caused by mistrust between the USA and the USSR governments and resentment by the Russians for lack of acknowledge for their part in the war. One of the biggest reasons was that the USSR was creating Communist governments throughout most of Eastern Europe to spread Communism.

Camile

4/2/2020 08:31:17 pm

Between the years 1941 and 1949, the U.S in North America and the Soviet Union in Eurasia increased suspicion and tensions because of the Soviet Union expanding their land along with communism, the Soviet Union going against U.S. policies, and disputes over WW2 plans.

Megan

4/2/2020 09:22:27 pm

Between the years of 1941 and 1949 in North America the United States and the Soviet Union in Eurasia tensions were rising in both nation due to a push on both sides to become world leaders therefor intimidating the other. Also a massive increase of propaganda on the civilians in the nations also helped to increase tension by making the population believe what they wanted them to believe. Finally the breaking to treaty's and so-forth caused distrust between the main to erupt quickly.

Daniel

4/3/2020 02:54:50 am

Between the years 1941 to 1949, the United States in North America and the Soviet Union in Eurasia experienced tension as well as skepticism, due to wariness , the Soviet Union’s misinterpretation of the United States intentions, as well as how advocation increased strain within both nations due to nationalistic ideologies.

Belen Flores

4/3/2020 09:53:33 am

Between 1941 and 1949, increased suspicion and tensions between the United States and Soviet Union rose due the misinterpretation of actions completed by the other side, the spread of communism from the soviet union to other states, and the competition between both to be the stronger power.

hannah

4/3/2020 10:51:41 am

Between the years 1941 and 1949, increased suspicion and tension between the United States and the Soviet Union was caused by Soviet efforts to spread Communism, disagreement over whom WWII victory should be accredited to, and Soviet distrust in British and American democracy.

hannah

4/6/2020 12:34:48 am

In 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression pact that enabled those two powers to divide-up Poland between themselves. The German invasion of Poland began one week after the signing of this pact, resulting in a German-Soviet victory and marking the beginning of World War II. However, Nonaggression Pact fell apart in June 1941, when Nazi forces invaded the Soviet Union, resulting in the USSR joining the allied forces. Despite conflicting ideologies of communism as capitalism, throughout WWII, the United States and Soviet Union fought alongside each other to defeat Nazi Germany as the United States provided the USSR with materials, and the Soviets provided a majority of German kills. However, following the defeat of Hitler, mistrust led to the Cold War and heightened tensions between the United States and Soviet Union. Between the years 1941 and 1949, increased suspicion and tension between the United States and the Soviet Union was caused by Soviet efforts to spread Communism, American containment efforts, and the United States not doing enough to defeat Hitler in WWII.
Tensions between the United States and Soviet Union can be partly attributed to Soviet efforts to spread communism. David Low’s political cartoon portrays Soviet leader Joseph Stalin choosing who to try to turn communist next. The caption of this piece, drawn by an artist living in Britain, is, “Who’s next to be liberated from freedom, comrade?” with the purpose of implying to the European and American public that the Soviet Union’s leaders are trying to impose communism in whatever country they desire to next, therefore taking, or “liberating” them from their freedom (Doc G). In addition, United States news sources such as the New York Times informed the masses that the Soviet press was being suppressed and the government and army were forced to remain true to the Soviets (Doc F). The political and economic systems of the capitalist USA and communist USSR were incompatible. In a capitalist state, the economy is largely free from state control, and the government democratically elected, while in a communist society, control of the economy and society lies strictly in the hands of the totalitarian government. Communism is rejected in the United States because of the nation’s core individualistic values and desire for freedom. The United States also administered polls asking the public about their opinions on Russia, and whether they can be trusted, or are trying to build themselves up in communism in order to dominate the world (Doc H). Following the United States nuclear bombing of Japan, and amidst growing tension during the Cold War, an arms race ensued. After WWII, only the US and the USSR emerged as world’s superpowers, possessing the military and economic power to dominate the world.
The United States not doing enough to defeat Hitler lead to increased suspicion and tension between the USSR and the U.S.. United States president Harry Truman originally aimed to weaken both Germany and the Soviet Union during WWII, with the goal of leaving as many Soviet soldiers dead as possible, so long as Hitler was still defeated (Doc A). In June 1941, Fascist Germany had just invaded Communist Soviet Union, and Senator Harry Truman, who would later become President of the United States, suggested that his country should help Germany defeat Russia, provided Hitler would not reign victorious, showing Truman’s adversity to communism, even before the U.S. entered WWII. Truman is famously known for the Truman Doctrine, which pledges to support other countries in order for them to resist communism, providing explanation for Truman’s desire to help even Nazi Germany in order to weaken the Soviet Union. Following and during WWII, Soviet Union possessed a strong hold in foreign policy because they were greatly accredited with winning the war, inclining many to believe that the USSR should have the greatest voice in determining the terms of peace (Doc B). It was a widely held belief that the Soviet Union's successful resistance of Nazi invasion and reclamation of Eastern Europe was the most important factor in defeating Germany, as the German army was first weakened on the Eastern front. The majority of German soldier casualties can be attributed to the Red Army, although they had an inpour of materials and supplies from the United States and U.K.. However, it was believed by many that the U.S. actually withheld supplies from the USSR. The Soviet Union also suffered significantly more deaths than any other nation at war. Stalin was angered by the fact that the USA and Britain had taken so long to open up a 'Second Front' to fight against German forces in Western Europe, allowing Hitler to concentrate his forces against the Soviets. This caused Stalin to suspect that the USA and Britain were leaving Germany and the Soviet Union to

hannah

4/6/2020 12:36:20 am

fight, so that both countries would be weakened.
Another development that increased tension between the U.S. and USSR is the United States containment’s efforts. The Truman Doctrine was an American foreign policy aiming to counter Soviet expansion during the Cold War, with the goal of containing communism to the areas already under Soviet control, as the US believed in the domino theory, that if one nation falls to communism, so will the next. At the Yalta conference, Joseph Stalin insisted to the heads of government of the United States and United Kingdom, that the Polish Question put Russia’s security at risk, while Churchill and Roosevelt suggested a representative government in Poland (Doc C). At the Yalta Conference, which had the purpose of discussing the postwar reorganization of Europe, Joseph Stalin persisted that the Soviet Union should keep their Polish territory. Stalin, having witnessed Operation Barbarossa four years earlier, pointed out that within three decades, Germany had twice used the nation of Poland as a corridor through which to invade Russia, which is why he suggests that Poland’s freedom is a question of Russia’s security, meaning that containment could potentially compromise Russia’s security. Because Stalin’s demands were not negotiable, and Poland was already being governed by the Lublin Committee, a government established by the communists, Roosevelt agreed, with the requirement that Stalin would sanction free elections there. Also at Yalta, Stalin agreed to Soviet participation in the United Nations, the international peacekeeping organization that Roosevelt and Churchill had agreed to form in 1941. United States officials believed that the Soviets could not simply be reasoned with, and it was necessary to maneuver them into positions where it would be profitable to oblige to United States logic, and the demands of the Unites Nations (Doc D). After the Yalta conference, however, it was made clear that Stalin did not have intentions of keeping his promises regarding freedom in Poland, as Soviet troops put a stop to any opposition against the Lublin Committee. This lead to even more mistrust and suspicion of Stalin.

Camile

4/6/2020 11:15:47 am

World War 1 ended by Germany signing an armistice which caused the fighting to stop. For many, there was an aftershock after the war. Russia experienced a revolutionary upheaval that started from the top to bottom along the line of social classes that was partly caused by the immense pressures of the war. With many failed attempts, the Bolsheviks or Communists, were able to bring Russia out of the World War. Claiming to protect their nation from imperialists and exploiters, they were able to replace their traditional monarchy with a Communist state. They called themselves the Soviet Union or the USSR. In World War 2, the USSR and the U.S. worked together alongside the Allied Forces to defeat the Nazis. But as World War 2 ended with the bombings in Japan and the death of Hitler, the U.S. and USSR began to doubt one another, which took them into the Cold War.
Between the years 1941 and 1949, developments increased tension and suspicion in the United States in North America and Soviet Union in Eurasia. One development that increased tension was the USSR spreading communism. A second development was the U.S. policy of containment towards the USSR. Another development was the USSR’s disputes over the U.S.’s lack of participation in WW2.
As the USSR continued to spread communism, suspicion in the U.S grew. The United States along with its public began to grow frightened as the USSR took over lands and converted them to communism (Doc F). With the news of communism growing and spreading like wildfire, fear of losing their capitalist society increased. The U.S. were initially put in a position that they could no longer ignore the Soviet Union and had to acknowledge their presence. But even so, the USSR expanded and grew more powerful, which the U.S. feared that they could be challenged or taken over (Doc G). An illustration created by David Low portrays the USSR as conquering other lands and stripping them from their freedom. With the purpose to convince the audience that the USSR is a potential enemy, fear of the USSR only increases and the idea of trusting them only decreases. With the addition of fearing the USSR’s control along with the power to expand, the U.S. was becoming more defensive and more careful since they didn’t want to be seen as the lower nation.

Camile

4/6/2020 11:17:12 am

Now with the U.S. on the defensive, the U.S. enforced policies to contain the USSR. Since fear brought them to a state of defending themselves, applying foreign policies could be a way to release a bit of insecurity and take dominance (Doc D). By enforcing policies, the USSR would have to comprehend under the U.S.’s rule. This would boost up U.S.’s confidence in controlling the USSR and give them a huge advantage in taking them down. Of course, the public were able to see how their nation handled their problem (Doc H). In a gallup poll created by the U.S., the public did not trust the USSR based on the results of the poll. The purpose of the poll was to see if the public was supporting the nation and their actions. By seeing their reaction and even seeing them give a few recommendations to be more in control, you see that the nation has a level of confidence that assures them that they have the ability to control and take down the USSR. Since the foriegn policies threatened the USSR, the USSR felt betrayed by the powerful nations (Doc E). Even after the alliance made in Yalta and Potsdam, the USSR believed that they could coexist with the other nations. The policies threatened the USSR’s existence, which gives off the idea that the U.S. aren’t allies, creating a toxic connection between each other. Losing trust with one another, the possibility of things going wrong increases.
One of the first developments that created tension between the two nations was the U.S. not participating enough in WWII. While nations around the world fought for their nation or helped around the world, the U.S. watched with distrust on who they would fight with (Doc A). With the U.S. trusting Russia as much as they trusted Germany, they did little action in defending them and just gave resources with wariness. This proved that Russia could not rely on U.S. help, which interfered with later arrangements in the future. Still, they needed the U.S. to do at least something, or they would replace them (Doc B). To get the U.S., along with Britain, to do some type of action, Russia had to threaten to take their positions as major roles in the war. By threatening their position in the war, these global power nations had to take action to keep that consequence away from them. The USSR also had to face false accusations from these nations, even with them not being present (Doc C). During the Yalta conference, Britain stated that the USSR took Poland for honor, when they took it for protection. Since Stalin is a Soviet Union politician who has seen first-hand decisions by his government, he can understand why specific decisions must be done. His reasons for why they took Poland are more reliable than Britain’s word since he understands what position his nation was in along with what measures needed to be taken to protect his nation.
As WW2 ended, developments increased tension and suspicion in the United States in North America and Soviet Union in Eurasia. One development that increased tension was the USSR spreading communism. Another development was the U.S. policy of containment towards the USSR and the USSR’s disputes over the U.S.’s lack of participation in WW2.

Megan

4/13/2020 09:25:05 pm

The cold war is a product of fear. After the surrender of the Nazi Germany during WW2 cused the alliance between the two superpowers became to diminish. The US became fearful of the rising power of the USSR when shortly after the end of WW2 the USSR had begun to install their governmental beliefs within the countries surrounding them. The USSR was working on spreading communism to as many countries as they could and they were fearful of a retaliation attack from Germany so by expanding their influence they are more protected. The USA's leader Theodore Roosevelt and Great Britain’s leader Winston Churchill had feared the communist spread being led by Joseph Stalin who did not agree with the capitalist ideal.

Between the years 1941 and 1949, the United States in North America and Soviet Union in Eurasia experienced tension and suspicion of one another. One development that increased tension was the USSR accusing the US of not fulfilling their part in the defeat of Hitler. A second development that increased suspicion and tension was the spread of somewhat false accusations to the population through propaganda. Additionally the USSR felt justified in taking over their surrounding countries because they had been invaded multiple times before, leading to tensions and suspicion within the nations to rise.

The USSR believed that the US did no do enough in their fight to defeat nazi germany. Their data to support this claim consisted mostly of the argument that many more of the USSR’s people were lost during WW2. In the eyes of a soviet the US and Great Britain have violated the democratic principles conducted at the Yalta and Potsdam conferences (doc E.) At the Yalta conference the “big three” discussed how to divide The conquered parts of Germany amongst themselves which ultimately led to a struggle for power between the nations. The USSR felt that they were entitled to more of the land because the US did not fulfill their part in WW2. The Yalta conference made it difficult for the USSR to treat the US to what they wished to obtain due to their belief that the US fell short of what they could have done to make the WW not last as long as it did. Also the USSR feared that the US waited to join the war to let the militia of the USSR to weaken so that they could be controlled easier. The US did not join the war which makes people believe that the USSR should have the greatest voice in determining the peace (doc B.) The audience is the Soviet Union of the Secretary of state of Cordell Hull which affects the tone of this work by making it almost reassuring to the soviets and a warning to those in power in the US. The US did not trust the Soviets gaining power which is further discussed in the Tehran Conference a few months after this addressment. The Tehran conference aimed to ease the tensions by discussing the future of the obtained lands.

The rise of propaganda to conform society to the government's belief or fear of the opposite nation lead to the rise of tensions within the nations as well. The Soviet influence in the lands surrounding them was looked at as evil by Great Britain (doc G.) The author is producing for a London news outlet which makes the audience allied with the US. This changes the focus of the cartoon to show how the communist are taking the freedom away from the countries they obtain, this is shown through the evil facial expressions shown on the men's faces and the dark color used to emulate a dark environment. If those two strategies were not enough to show the audience what they wanted the author also wrote a tagline at the bottom of the cartoon saying “Who’s next to be liberated from freedom,” which is showing how evil the USSR’s actions are in taking the land near them. Communist governments during this time began to be established in Bulgaria and Romania and some others which was beginning to make the US and Great Britain nervous of the growing power of the USSR. They were expanding their communist ideas which was threatening to the capitalist idea in the US. As time went by more and more american people began to express distrust with the USSR (doc H.) As seen in the document G more and more propaganda was being implemented upon the population to serve as a tool of manipulation to make the civilians believe what the government wanted them to believe. As the years progressed more and more people surveyed became uneasy about the motivations of the USSR most likely due to the spread of propaganda such as the “red iceberg” used in the US.

The USSR felt entitled to the lands around them because they needed/ wanted protection for Germany after WW2. Germany has invaded the USSR twice within 30 years which has left the Soviets uneasy at the prospect of what they (the germans) are able to do to their (the soviets) nation (doc C.) In order to feel more protected the soviets started to obtain more and more land around them so they wo

Megan

4/13/2020 09:27:07 pm

uld be protected. Also they started to experiment with more deadly weapons such as the atomic bomb that the US used during the bombing of Hiroshima. The Soviets completed a successful atomic bomb test which led to the soviets feeling more protected and powerful than the US feeling threatened. The US felt that the USSR could not be dealt with using reason (doc D.) The US was afraid of the rising influence of the communists so they felt it would be best to deal with it by forcing them into a position were taking over more land would be unbeneficial the the USSR and they did this with the implementation of the Marshall Plan which supplied the countries surrounding the USSR with what they needed to remain independent. The US wanted to back the USSR into a corner that would yield the spread of communism in Europe. The communist takeover of Czechoslovakia was seen through american eyes as a terror (doc F.) The story was being told through the eyes of americans from the new york times which changed the tone of the article to fearful and cautioning because the US feared the USSR’s upcoming power. The US and Great Britain were afraid of the USSR and they wanted their population to see how potentially dangerous they were. This can be seen today through the way Russians and soviets are portrayed through the US film industry.

After WW2 tensions between the US and the USSR are rising rapidly due to the increase of propaganda in both nations, the Soviet attempt at protection through the gain of lands surrounding them, and the Soviets accusation of the US not doing enough to defeat the Nazis.

Daniel

4/14/2020 02:37:29 am

Between the years 1941 to 1949, the United States in North America and the Soviet Union in Eurasia experienced tension as well as skepticism, caused by the Soviet Union aggressively expanding communism into Eastern Europe, the increase in propaganda provoking strain due to nationalistic ideologies, an early development that escalated tensions and suspicion was the belief that the United States and allies had not done enough to help USSR defeat Hitler in Europe.

Throughout history, tension and mistrust within countries have always been encouraged by nations, leading to the influence of wars, Divisions, and the spread of nationalism with the use of propaganda. Even though the cold war between the US and the USSR consisted of constant threats and mass militaristic arms race, events such as the mongol invasions and the reaction of Europe on the fall of Constantinople provoke such event to take place centuries later. During the mid-1400’s, After the Ottoman Empire besieged Byzantine for about 55 days, which induced the fall of Constantinople. Provoked tension as well as fear throughout Europe towards the ottomans, encouraging the label “terror of the Turks”. Europe viewed it as “the new terror of Europe”, causing countries such as Iceland to develop such strain within its nation. Such events like the mongol invasions in Eurasia and East Asia, and the turks influence on the fall of Constantinople, provoked countries to influence such beliefs towards variant nations persuading nationalism as well as militarism.

After WWII took place and the Allied powers had successfully defeated the Axis powers. There were some problems, between the US and the USSR. (Doc D) Not just with the fact that the united states disagreed with Marxist based beliefs, but the fact that the US felt as if the USSR being communist was provoking the United States to develop such strain. This dilemma influenced threats between both nations. Such threats were believed to be under control by the United States when they believed to continue having the nuclear monopoly (Doc H). Russia too, had nuclear weapons similar to those of the US, acquired by those working on the Manhattan project. This global problem developed tension not just between the competing nations but those in between since they were to choose a side. Choosing a side was just as difficult as many believed it to be. The US would even pay nations of eastern Europe to fight communism, indicating that they were who were to be feared. The united states loath towards communism encouraged nations from the west to part themselves from communist Russia. At times even when the united states attempted to pay nations in Europe as a form of bribery many rejected such gesture as a form of terror towards the USSR, even though the united states provided military assistance. Such fear caused nations such as eastern Germany to become part of Communist Russia, not just was it a win for the USSR but a loss for the US since their motive was reward rather than punishment. The USSR’s skepticisms began to grow as citizens of eastern Germany began to segregate to western Germany where many become influenced by western based culture. Such ideologies influenced the construction of the Berlin Wall, where eastern part of Germany was secluded from western part of Germany. Not just did it change the way in which the United States transported goods to Germany but destroyed hundreds of families by separating loved ones. It became difficult for many families during such crisis since attempting to cross over the wall was considered suicide because many never actually succeeded in dong so, since they were shot in the act. Skepticism not just increased in Europe like in Germany causing a great division within its nation, but was influenced in Asia where china became influenced by Communistic ideologies. Such ideologies followed in north Korea, this led to the Korean War of 1950. (Doc G)The United States involvement allowed South Korea to fight back, were they once again became stable, their involvement pushed north Korea not just back to its borders but their communistic ideologies. Even though china becoming communist was a loss for the united states, south Korea being able to fight communism was a win for the US since it was a way to encourage other nations to fight such ideology. This style/ fashion was a way to spread nationalism, influencing the spread of propaganda.

Propaganda began as a way for nations to express themselves, or their attitude towards a situation, such emotions of distress or nationalism or even of skepticism were forms of emotions of which many artists expressed their emotions or the emotions of a nation as a whole. Nationalism was at time a form of distress in the eyes of many. The public at times being able to understand how the spread of nationalism was a silent cry from their country. Skepticism wasn’t something that was spread as a rumor bu

Belen Flores

4/14/2020 10:23:14 pm

The World Wars allowed for a shift in global powers, allowing for the United States to arise. Such "one front" would allow for a second power to arise and cause there to be an "equilibrium" of power. Enters Russia, and there is a constant competition between who is more equipped, prepared for anything. The arms race, space race, etc. between the US and Russia and other countries allowed for tensions to rise. Between 1941 and 1949, increased suspicion and tensions between the United States, in North America, and the Soviet Union, in Eurasia, rose due to the mistrust in democratic ways from the soviets towards the US and the mistrust in communist ways from the US toward the soviets, the spreading of communism from the soviets to surrounding states, and US containment towards the Soviet Union.
The mistrust in democratic ways from the soviets towards the US and the mistrust in communist ways from the US toward the soviets allowed for suspicion and tension to rise. The US, along with Great Britain, questioned why Russia would move/spread toward states, for power or safety. Russia would clarify why it does so and also clarify that there is clearly a constant questioning of its moves by democratic powers,(doc c). Joseph Stalin, a dictator of the USSR, focuses on how Great Britain questions the conquer of Poland and how this is not the first time that the democratic power has done so, with the questioning of Germany too. His attitude toward this provides that he too questions why the democratic power would question, allowing for suspicion to rise amongst the Soviets and the democrats. The Soviets would also have their backlash at the events, providing “uplifting” speeches to unite the people, questioning the actions that have been done previously by the democrats, etc., (doc e). V. M. Molotov, a soviet foreign minister, gives a speech to the Russian people, gathering them to unite to see that join the democrats could benefit but that their values have split time ago, allowing for suspicion to rise between them. Such mistrust of each other allows for tensions and suspicions to rise.
The spreading of communism to surrounding states allowed for tensions to further arise. Clearly in questioning motives for Russias presence in neighboring states allows for tensions to rise (doc c, f). With the spread of communist ways to conquered areas, the US does not like this since it provides Russia with more land and people, creating a stronger power. Propaganda was used to show the intension of the other side, (doc g). In David Low’s cartoon, he expresses that communism takes away the freedom that people have and that the soviets can do so in a fast manner.
US containment towards the Soviet Union allowed for a response to such rising suspicion. The fear of a power out of control due to rising power, allows for tensions to rise(doc b). Arguing that Russia alone can be dangerous as a singular power, can potentially cause a justified reason for action to take place allows for such to happen since the democratic could have helped Russia during world war two. Agreements seem to not be achieved since such power no longer has the same ideas and values as others (doc d). Logic can no longer be used by one side, as seen by the other side, causing for an alternative to be sought. The same view had ancient China towards their barbarian neighbors, who to them seemed to not be reasoned with until the reasoning was found with them. Over time, the attitude that the American people had toward the situation sharply changed (doc h). From seeing that Russia could be talked with to seeing no possible way, this attitude reflects what tensions and suspicions arose during the times.

Cold War DBQ

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