Origins of the Cold War: US-Soviet Tensions 1945-1947

Genesis of the Cold War (1945-1947)

Defining Cold War Characteristics

The Cold War system of international relations defined the period between 1945 and 1991. During that time, the world was divided into antagonistic blocs, one led by the U.S. and the other by the Soviet Union. Each bloc represented a different political, economic, and ideological view.

The Western bloc defended a democratic political system, a capitalist economy, and liberal ideology. The Communist bloc defended a totalitarian political system, a planned economy, and Marxist ideology.

The two superpowers sought to maintain their security and to extend or protect their areas of influence using all available means without direct warfare, since this involved the use of nuclear weapons and therefore mutual destruction. Among these forms of engagement emerged:

• A continuing arms race, especially concerning the nuclear arsenal, ensuring each superpower had sufficient means to destroy life on Earth several times over.
• Ideological propaganda and subversion of the opposing bloc.
• Espionage through secret services (American CIA and Soviet KGB).
• Political and economic pressures on allied states against the opposing bloc, the "enemy".
• Proxy wars located in peripheral areas as both blocs tried to expand their domain.

End of Allied Cooperation

World War II accelerated the decline of Europe. Conversely, the war meant the consolidation of the United States and the Soviet Union as leaders on the international stage. The confrontation was brewing between 1945 and 1946, demonstrating clearly since 1947.

Rise of Mutual Suspicion & Doctrines

The attitude of mutual suspicion triumphed. In Europe, this confirmed the breakup of Eastern European countries occupied by the Red Army. All political movements were repressed except for Communist parties, who obeyed the dictates of the USSR from Moscow. The previous pledge to form governments through free elections and let the peoples of the liberated countries decide their future failed.

In Western Europe, countries faced serious economic difficulties. Fearing that the crisis was conducive to communist expansion, the United States reacted. President Truman announced in 1947 a new U.S. foreign policy: European governments willing to curb Soviet influence would be eligible for American aid. This has been called the Truman Doctrine or the doctrine of containment.

The Soviet response to the Truman Doctrine was expressed in the Zhdanov Doctrine and the creation of the Kominform. Zhdanov explained that the world was divided into two camps, and it was therefore necessary to choose between them: the "imperialist" camp, directed by the U.S., and the "anti-imperialist" camp, led by the Soviet Union. The Kominform grouped together Communist parties and turned them into instruments of Stalin's policy.