Stalin the cause of the Cold war?

[Invader Zim]

its for a history essay... Please give coherent answers though.

[ireallyhadablackout]

not sure what cold war you are refering to only here is a coherent quote...i think.

"The American Party, however, carried a burden that was unique. Because it functioned in the most powerful nation in the world, it was early assigned a special role."

Stalin 1929

quote borrowed from the book "The Rise and Fall of American Communism" - Horizon Press

[Uhuru na Umoja]

Stalin was definitely not the sole, or even main cause of the Cold War. However, collectively Stalin, Truman and other leaders of the US and USSR do deserve some blame for the start of the Cold War. Neither were capable of understanding one-anothers' actions. The US misinterpreted Stalin's definisive moves in Eastern Europe as agression. Meanwhile Marshall Aid - which was a genuinely altruist move on the part of certain Americans (such as Marshall)... although I remain unsure of Truman's true movites - was turned down by Stalin who saw it solely as an imperialist gesture.

I see ideological differences at the heart of the conflict, as these led to the distrust and misunderstandings that caused both Stalin and Truman to feel threatened. Indeed I believe that the roots of the Cold War are in found in October 1917. From that point onwards there was hostility between the US and USSR. What brought this to the world stage following 1945 as the power vacuum in Europe that the US and USSR stepped into. Also, I think that before WWII the USSR's political and military importance was underestimated; however, following Kursk and Stalingrad there was no doubt that Stalin was a force to be reckoned with. Thus WWII effectively turned US-Soviet divisions into a European conflict (I think events in China, Korea and Vietnam were what turned it into a global conflict).

The one thing I feel very strongly about the Cold War is that it is wrong to see individual events such as the Berlin Blockade, the formation of the Truman Doctrine, creation of Cominform, etc. as major causes. I see these as symptoms, rather than causes, of US-Soviet rivalry. I think they affected the way the Cold War developed, but I do not believe they deserve credit for causing the Cold War.

There's a quick stab at a very complicated issue... hope it's coherent.

(Edited by Uhuru na Umoja at 2:07 pm on Feb. 26, 2003)

[redstar2000]

I agree that the personalities of that era had little or nothing to do with the causes of the "cold war."

The United States Government has never been prepared to peacefully "tolerate" the existence of any communist or even mildly socialist country...seeing them all as ultimately threatening the very existence of American capitalism.

As far as I am concerned, the "blame" for the "cold war" rests squarely on the U.S. capitalist class and its government.

A note on the Marshall Plan: I am admittedly not familiar with the details, but the general pattern of American "assistance" (loans or gifts) requires the recipient to use the money to buy stuff from American corporations.

In other words, American "foreign aid" is really a welfare program for American corporations...and not an unselfish act of humanitarian generosity.

[Arkham]

The responsibility for the cold war lies squarely with the United States. At the end of WWII we took all the nazi scientists we thought would be helpful, in a CIA scheme called Operation Paperclip. The papers at the time indicate that the Soviet Union was more than willing to act as peaceful competitors, but the United States realized what a great thing constantly being at war was for economic purposes. We escalated aggressions with the express purpose of causing a need for huge military spending. It wasnt until after WWII, and the the start of the cold war that the military budget exceeded 50% of the entire budget, and it has been there since. Watch for the omnibus of "Terrorism" to take the place of communism, now that it is no longer considered a true threat by most Americans.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

DO NOT follow the opinions of RedStar and Arkham. Uhura na Umoja is much more precise.

Here is some things that may help you. Some of my opinions.

The cause of the Cold War must be viewed from a post-revisionist stance by those studying it today. You may tend to agree slightly more with orthodox historians or revisionist historians, but you must take a more orless balanced view....

Yes, America was to blame for many things. Truman may have misinterpeted Stalin's actions in Eastern Europe, Poland in particular. Clearly, the Soviet Union needed some security from invasions. Twice, Germany had passed through Eastern Europe and used Poland as a corridor into Russia. Stalin therefore needed to create buffer zones to protect him. America's opinion that this was an act of aggression by Stalin therefore could be viewed as harsh. Also, the atomic weapons had a part to play. Truman, at the conference in Potsdam (or was it Yalta? I think it was Potsdam) casually told Stalin that America had developed the atomic bomb in complete secrecy from the world. This could be seen as an act of aggression on America's part, using their arms and intelligence in the field of atomic weaponary as a means of flexing their muscles to intimidate Russia. Although the secrecy of the creation of the A-Bomb may have been the right decision as if Truman had unveiled his plans, a dangerous arms race could have developed earlier.

Also, the Allies may not have granted Stalin enough control in Germany, Berlin in particular. Russia, of course, had massive numbers of casualties during the war and major cities, namely Stalingrad, were destroyed.

Stalin, however, was also to blame. When looking at his actions in Eastern Europe, it is clear why America may have seen him as aggressive. In Poland, Stalin's refusal to implement a system of free elections, like he said he would, was a problem. His exclusion of the London Poles from government could also be seen as an act of repression. In Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary Stalin also was too forceful in his actions to eliminate opposition. After allowing opposition to the Communists to take part in governments, he then allowed the Communist parties to liquidate that oppostion to create one party states in those countries.

With the Berlin situation, Stalin could definately be blamed for the Cold War. He used East Germany and his allocated zones in Berlin for Russia's economic benefit rather than Germany's. Many factories were moved, piecemeal, from Berlin to Russia creating a massive slump in German production.

Finally, there is the fact that conflict was inevitable. The breakdwon of the wartime alliance was inevitable as the two superpowers had massively contrasting politik.


There's a few reasons to get your head into. There are more things and more detail to the situations in the countries of Eastern Europe which I mentioned. You should read up a bit more on them as I believe actions in Eastern Europe were probably the main cause of the creation of the "Iron Curtain"

Hope I have helped.

[Uhuru na Umoja]

Firstly Redstar. I have read a fair bit about the Marshall Plan and it still confuses me. I AM sure that Marshall intended it as an altruistic measure; however, I think that the US government turned it to their own purposes, by attaching requirements that they were almost certain the USSR would not agree to.

Secondly, I do not agree that the Cold War can solely be blamed on either side. If I were a true capitalist of any intenligence - which thankfully I am not - I would fear communism (it is logical as communism poses the greatest threat to capitalism). As a communist leader I would naturally fear the spread of US influence. Thus both Stalin and Truman were both acting in what seemed to be the best influences of their countries. Neither felt that their systems could peacfully coexist, and they may well have been correct.

Socialsmo o Muerte... you're right about Potsdam (it was Roosevelt at Yalta). One thing to add is the Truman did not tell Stalin that he was going to use the A-bomb. This came as a major shock part way through the conference. I also think you're right it highlighting Poland. Poland was a major issue at Yalta (as Churchill vehemently supported the Lublin governemnt), and Stalin had agreed to form a government incoporating both the Lublin government from London and the communist government from Moscow. Thereafter there were to be free elections. As it was this did not happen. The representatives from London were soon exiled, or imprisoned, and no elections were held. This may be defended from a communist perspective, but there is no doubt that Stalin broke his previous promises.

[Guardia Bolivariano]

The US started the cold war the moment the first atomic bomb fell on Japan.The ussr saw the threat of the "super weapon" and creted It's own atom bomb to deny the US world supremacy but at a great economic cost.If the US never use WOMD maybe there would ne no cold war.

[Pete]

The hostilities begain in 1919 when the West invaded Russia to overthrow communism and ended up failing.

[Invader Zim]

OK guys just chill this does not need to start an argument. But I thank all of you for your input.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

You cannot say it was America's fault. It's not even up for debate. If you say it was America's fault you're just wrong.

Neither Truman or Stalin were angels and no matter how much of a Marxist historian you are, today you cannot mistake Stalin;s wrong doings.

[Aleksander Nordby]

its all USA fault

[Invader Zim]

Thanks fpr your opinions but i need Reasons people.

[Just Joe]

- Stalin not holding truly democratic elections in the east.

- the Berlin blockade

- stealing the A-bomb from America

- keeping the Red Army in eastern europe

- massive spy operations in the US by the Soviets

theres a few.

[Arkham]

Like I said, because it was profitable. Its just business. Its always just business.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Quote: from Aleksander Nordby on 12:46 pm on Feb. 28, 2003
its all USA fault

The dude asks us for help and you give your ignorant, pathetic, biased, unintelligent opinions. Did you not see him requesting coherant answers, not "I'm trying to sound leftist because it's cool and diverse" bullshit like your.

[NDPof2003]

Maybe you should read more about the cold war a lil more before asking that question, because when it comes right down to it. It is you [yourself] wich can only make the opinion on who started it...read up on the truman doctrine and the marshall plan, then there is the armsrace and churchill's speech, U.S hysteria on communism, etc. Im sure you will find your answers there to form your own opinion. IF not here is a site

[http://learningcurve.pro.gov.uk/coldwar/]

[booga]

Interesting, I'd say everyone is chilled, I enjoyed reading the arguments for the first time, in a long time.

Actually, I had a comment for just about everybody who posted, and though I felt that there were a few who stated more precisely than others, I feel the need to give my opinions...more like a drunk hunch.

Not having sufficient knowledge of the cold war, I can only assume that the cold war was a conflict that can be viewed in a way as to help in the revelation of an "established" purpose. Many of us believe that after several hundred of years passing, nothing has changed. War is a beast and it is perpetrated by capitalist rule which we all know to be ineffective and imbalanced to the promotion of harmonized justice. The communism theory promotes more of an international leverage of prosperity and may have it's founding in the elitist, ruling and intellectual circles. (like everything else)

Anyway, back to some of the earlier statements...German scientists had a great deal to do with alerting America to it's new discovery of the bombardment of the neutron and being fearfull that this power could end up in the hands of Hitler, the German scientists took it upon themselves to get the word out to the appropriate world powers. If America had all of the scientists at one time, it was due to one fact that most scientists who were in Germany at the time had to seek exile outside of Germany because Hitler would only allow Aryans in his establishment.

As, far as Stalin goes, I have yet to study the man. My thought is that he was an insane dictator due to either nationalism or religion belief and I don't think he was any worse or better than many. The Soviet, during his time did not have scientists who were practicing as the Germans, I think because it was not allowed at the time.

One last thing, the U.S. had a back up plan as far as Europe goes...(is Germany in Europe?) because they wouldn't allow farming in the U.S. (to a certain extent) because the war left Europe in such a bad economic state that in an effort to have balance the U.S. made changes on their own soil. (U.S. in the abstract sense, he-he :biggrin: )



(Edited by booga at 12:17 am on May 11, 2003)