Question: By the end of World War Two, the United States and the Soviet Union had emerged as the two most powerful allies. Consider how and why the US-Soviet relationship began to breakdown in the late 1940s. What are the key issues of contention? How does the ideology of communism conflict with the American ideals of capitalist free markets?

QUESTION

Readings: Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty, Chapter 23
Eric Foner, Voices of Freedom, Chapter 23

Question: By the end of World War Two, the United States and the Soviet Union had emerged as the two most powerful allies. Consider how and why the US-Soviet relationship began to breakdown in the late 1940s. What are the key issues of contention? How does the ideology of communism conflict with the American ideals of capitalist free markets?

Write a paper five (5) pages in length (roughly 1,000-1,500 words), double-spaced, with proper citations (use MLA).

Times New Roman 12-point font. Be sure to use primary sources available in Voices of Freedom and properly cite the readings.

The readings of each chapter is linked down below, please use the readings and cite them properly!

ANSWER

 The Breakdown of US-Soviet Relations in the Late 1940s: Ideological Differences and Contention

Introduction

The end of World War II marked the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as the two most powerful allies. However, their relationship rapidly deteriorated in the late 1940s due to various key issues of contention. This paper aims to analyze the breakdown of the US-Soviet relationship during this period, exploring the ideological conflict between communism and American ideals of capitalist free markets. By examining primary sources available in Eric Foner’s “Give Me Liberty” and “Voices of Freedom,” this paper will shed light on the underlying factors that fueled this deterioration.

Historical Context

To understand the breakdown of US-Soviet relations, it is crucial to grasp the historical context that shaped their interactions in the late 1940s. World War II had reshaped the global order, leaving the United States and the Soviet Union as the predominant powers. The two nations had different political systems and ideologies, which eventually led to tensions and conflicts.

Key Issues of Contention

Post-War Europe and Eastern Bloc

One of the primary issues of contention between the United States and the Soviet Union was the division of Europe and the creation of the Eastern Bloc. The Soviets sought to establish pro-communist governments in Eastern Europe, which the United States perceived as a threat to its own security and the spread of democracy (Aunesluoma, 2012). Primary sources from “Voices of Freedom” can provide firsthand accounts of this contentious period.

The Iron Curtain Speech

In 1946, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered his famous “Iron Curtain” speech, which symbolized the growing divide between Eastern and Western Europe. This speech emphasized the ideological differences between the United States and the Soviet Union and further strained their relationship. Analyzing Churchill’s speech from “Voices of Freedom” can offer insights into the rhetoric and concerns raised by Western leaders.

Ideological Conflict

Capitalism and Free Markets

The ideology of communism, embraced by the Soviet Union, conflicted with American ideals of capitalist free markets. Communism called for state control over the means of production and the abolition of private property, while American capitalism advocated for individual economic freedom and private enterprise (Kirchler et al., 2014). Foner’s “Give Me Liberty” provides a comprehensive analysis of the development and impact of these contrasting ideologies.

 Fear of Communist Expansion

The United States was particularly concerned about the global spread of communism, often perceiving it as a threat to its political and economic systems. This fear of communist expansion was fueled by events such as the establishment of pro-Soviet governments in Eastern Europe and the Chinese Communist Revolution. Primary sources in “Voices of Freedom” can reveal the American public’s anxieties and perceptions of communism during this period.

 Cold War and Escalation

The breakdown of US-Soviet relations in the late 1940s set the stage for the Cold War. Escalating tensions led to various confrontations, including the Berlin Blockade, the Korean War, and the arms race (Talmadge, 2019). These events further deepened the divide between the United States and the Soviet Union and intensified the ideological conflict between capitalism and communism.

Conclusion

The deterioration of US-Soviet relations in the late 1940s was influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including the division of Europe, the Iron Curtain speech, and the ideological conflict between communism and American capitalism. These tensions set the stage for the Cold War and shaped international relations for decades to come. By utilizing primary sources available in Eric Foner’s “Give Me Liberty” and “Voices of Freedom,” this paper has examined the breakdown of US-Soviet relations, providing a deeper understanding of the key issues of contention and the conflict between communism and American ideals of capitalist free markets.

References

Aunesluoma, J. (2012). A Nordic Country with East European Problems: British views on post-war Finland, 1944–19481. Scandinavian Journal of History, 37(2), 230–245. https://doi.org/10.1080/03468755.2012.667605 

Kirchler, E., Reyna, C., Chambers, J. C., Crawford, J. T., & Wetherell, G. (2014). The Ideological-Conflict Hypothesis. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 23(1), 27–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721413510932 

Talmadge, C. (2019). Emerging technology and intra-war escalation risks: Evidence from the Cold War, implications for today. Journal of Strategic Studies, 42(6), 864–887. https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2019.1631811