The nuclear aspect of the Cold War began with the United State’s dropping of the atomic bomb to end World War II. This showed the rest of the world the devastation and power of nuclear weapons. It showed the world that nuclear warfare was a possibility, and created a lot of fear regarding the power of the United States.
Other than the regards of nuclear power, economics were a major cause of the Cold War. Communism was not trusted by the West, and democracy not trusted in the East. Most would say this was a social problem, but in actuality it was a problem of economics. Capitalist nations such as the United States were more interested in international trade, were communist nations preferred to be isolated. It was this clash of systems that created the tension that caused the Cold War.
I think that the Nuclear Race is an Important part of what raised the tensions during the cold war although I think it was more of the straw that broke the back instead of the overall result. There were significant tensions between the U.S and the C.C.C.P after the war and the Nuke was the final draw that increased tensions to the point that they were.
ReplyDeleteI also think the Nuclear Race is an important part of the cold war but i also agree with Rory that it wasn't that overall cause it was just the last thing to set the whole cold war into motion.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Stalin's fear of a rebuilt Germany and dug up fascist propaganda drove him to annex a lot of countries in Eastern Europe. This shows the distrust that Stalin had for Truman and the U.S. Distrust, economic gains and newly introduced military weapons played major roles in the Cold War. The atomic bomb wasn't a huge factor, but its effects can be considered of more value as an arms race began. A large chain of events starting in 1917 triggered the Cold War.
ReplyDeleteI still stand by my original opinion, that besides the dropping of the atomic bomb, economics were the most significant cause of the Cold War. I believe economics was a factor behind other mentioned causes of the Cold War. Specifically, the clash between communism and capitalism.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Travis and Rory that the atomic bomb and nuclear race got the Cold War going. It gave a sort of tangible element to the Cold War.
I disagree with Rebecca's statement that the atomic bomb wasn't a huge factor in causing the Cold War, as it was what got it going.