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Beginnings of the Cold War

When World War Two ended in 1945, it became clear that the USA and the Soviet Union (USSR) would not be able to continue the relationship that had brought them joint victory over Germany. There was tension from their opposing political ideologies. America held capitalist values, which directly contradicted the communist beliefs of the Soviet Union.

There are various differences between capitalism and communism:

Tensions increased when America created the atomic bomb and dropped it on two Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in August 1945. The impact of these bombs was catastrophic. Over 100,000 people were killed, forcing Japan to surrender. This ended World War Two. This signified to the rest of the world how advanced the USA had become in both weaponry and its economy.

This show of military strength further damaged relations between the USA and the Soviet Union. As a result, they both attempted to spread their own influence across the world to ensure as much protection for themselves as possible. America placed atomic weapons as close to the Soviet border as possible, for example in Turkey. The Soviets supported any country hoping to become communist, such as North Korea. These events came together to start the Cold War.

Increasing fear of communism in 1940s America

There were many reasons for the American government and public to become increasingly concerned about the spread of communism in the 1940s:

• The Soviet Union grew from its origins in Russia to take control of many Eastern European countries, such as Poland.
• Mao Zedong’s Communist Party took over China in 1949. As China had a population of 500 million, this caused concern for America. The USA was now in direct competition with a growing power in the east.
• The influence of communism grew across Southeast Asia, in countries such as Indonesia. America could see the Soviet Union’s influence was rapidly increasing across the globe.
• The Soviet Union’s leader, Joseph Stalin, publicised his testing of an atomic bomb in 1949. The Soviet Union had taken only four years to catch up with America’s ability to use nuclear weapons. The American government and public were shocked to see that their military advantage had been taken away.
• In 1950, communist North Korea invaded South Korea with the aim of creating a united communist Korea. The USA supported South Korea with weapons and soldiers. However, China joined the North Koreans in what became the Korean War. From 1950 to 1953, American soldiers were being killed in Asia. This deepened the hatred many politicians and people in the USA felt towards the communist ideology.

America’s response

• As people and politicians within America watched the influence of communism grow, they pushed for more action to increase capitalist power across the globe.
• America supported countries across Europe that wanted to avoid becoming communist, such as France.
• In contrast, the Soviet Union both encouraged and forced the spread communism wherever possible, such as in East Germany.