The Ideology of the Cold War (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE History)

In 1945, the USA and the USSR had conflicting ideologies. They fought together during the Second World War to defeat Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. While Germany remained a common enemy, the Allied countries were generally cooperative. The USA’s belief in capitalism was very different to the USSR’s belief in Communism. These countries put aside their differences during the Second World War. However, both sides were suspicious of the other. 

Capitalism is an ideology where everyone can own property and businesses to make money. By 1941, the main capitalist countries were the USA and Britain. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the President of the USA in 1941. The USA joined the Second World War against Germany and Japan after the bombing of Pearl Harbour in December 1941. Roosevelt was tolerant of Stalin and the USSR.

Communism is an ideology where the state owns all property to ensure that everyone has a fair share. By 1941, the main Communist country was the USSR. Joseph Stalin was the leader of the USSR in 1941. The USSR joined the Second World War against the Allies due to the Nazi-Soviet Pact. However, when Hitler broke the agreement in 1941, the USSR joined the Allies. Stalin’s policies in the 1930s focused on collectivisation and rapid industrialisation. This resulted in the deaths of millions of people. The USA and Britain had been very critical of these policies. Stalin was very paranoid and did not trust the West.

After the defeat of Germany in May 1945, there was no reason for the USA and the USSR to work together. Tension between these two nations ultimately resulted in the beginning of the Cold War. A cold war means that there is no direct fighting between the main countries. Instead, the two superpowers fought through their economic and political actions. The USSR and the USA also supported proxy wars around the world. 

Historians debate about who was to blame for the Cold War. Orthodox historians argue that Stalin’s actions caused the Cold War. They state that Stalin forcefully expanded communism into Eastern Europe. This violated agreements at the post-war conferences. Revisionist historians insist that the USA were to blame for the Cold War. The USA created nuclear technology and did not share this information with the USSR. After the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, Stalin felt intimidated, which forced him to act aggressively. Revisionist historians also state that the USA interfered with European politics. They argue that the USA wanted a capitalist Europe to export to. This meant they aimed to contain communism in the USSR by whatever means necessary.