Edexcel IGCSE History: Cold War (Superpower Relations 1943-1972)

Reasons for the Cold War

The Cold War, a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, wasn’t a sudden eruption but rather the culmination of long-standing factors. These included fundamental ideological differences, historical mistrust, and power vacuums created by the end of World War II.

Long-term Rivalry and Ideological Differences

The inherent incompatibility between the capitalist West and the communist East fueled the Cold War. This ideological clash manifested in various ways:

• Relationship Strains in the Grand Alliance: The wartime alliance between the US, UK, and USSR (the “Grand Alliance”) was strained by diverging postwar goals. The delay in opening a Western Front in WWII until 1944 fueled Stalin’s suspicion that the West intended to weaken the Soviet Union by allowing Nazi Germany to continue its war of attrition against them. Conversely, the West feared Soviet intentions to spread communism throughout Eastern Europe, potentially threatening Western democracies.
• Vulnerability of Eastern European Countries to Communism: Post-WWII Eastern Europe was devastated by conflict, and its people were vulnerable to the promise of a new social order. This economic and social instability provided fertile ground for communist ideology and Soviet influence. While Churchill and Roosevelt suspected Soviet intentions of imposing communism on these nations, Stalin’s focus was arguably on establishing a buffer zone to protect the USSR from future potential attacks from the West. This fear was rooted in historical experiences of invasion.

Key Conferences: Shaping the Post-War Landscape

Several key conferences attempted to navigate the complexities of post-war Europe. While seemingly cooperative, these meetings ultimately laid bare the deep-seated divisions between the superpowers:

Tehran Conference (November 1943)

• Stalin’s Sphere of Influence: Stalin secured a sphere of influence in Eastern Europe, a crucial step in establishing Soviet dominance in the region. The agreement to allow the Soviet Union to retain territories acquired from Poland was a concession to Stalin’s security concerns. However, it laid the groundwork for the installation of puppet communist regimes, effectively turning these nations into Soviet satellites.
• Opening of the Second Front: The Allies agreed to open a second front in Europe in 1944, relieving some of the pressure on the Soviet Union. This agreement, however, did little to alleviate Stalin’s underlying mistrust of the West.

Yalta Conference (February 1945)

• Declaration on Liberated Europe: This declaration pledged free and fair elections in liberated European countries. However, the Soviets’ subsequent actions in Eastern Europe exposed this declaration as largely meaningless. Stalin’s manipulation of elections and the suppression of non-communist political forces undermined the principles of self-determination.
• Division of Germany: The agreement to divide Germany into four occupation zones (American, British, French, and Soviet) laid the seeds for the future division of the country. While initially intended as a temporary measure, it became a permanent fixture of the Cold War, symbolizing the larger East-West divide. The creation of the United Nations (UN) offered a venue for international cooperation, although its effectiveness in preventing future conflicts proved limited in the face of superpower rivalry.

Potsdam Conference (July-August 1945)

• Reparations and Occupation of Berlin: The conference attempted to address the issue of reparations from Germany. However, the disagreement between the Allies regarding Germany’s future and the level of reparations further highlighted the deepening rift between the West and the Soviet Union. Berlin’s division into four zones, while seemingly a compromise, reflected the broader geopolitical battle.
• Eastern Europe Disagreements: Truman’s replacement of Roosevelt as US President brought a much more hardline, anti-communist stance. The revelation of the atomic bomb during the Potsdam conference profoundly impacted the dynamics of the conference and significantly increased tensions, highlighting a new shift in the balance of power.

Soviet Expansion into Eastern Europe: Consolidating Power

Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe solidified the ideological divide and amplified Cold War tensions. This expansion directly contradicted the spirit of the Yalta Declaration on Liberated Europe.

• Breach of the Declaration on Liberated Europe: The Soviet Union’s imposition of communist regimes in Eastern Europe through rigged elections and the suppression of opposition groups represented a blatant breach of the agreed-upon principles.
• Rising Tensions: Truman’s deep distrust of Stalin and his unwavering opposition to communism exacerbated tensions. The atomic bomb demonstrations signified American military dominance and deepened Soviet fears of Western aggression.

Attitudes of Truman and Stalin: A Clash of Ideologies

The contrasting views of Truman and Stalin epitomized the ideological clash at the heart of the Cold War.

• Truman’s Perspective: Informed by the Long Telegram, Truman viewed communism as an expansionist ideology that threatened American interests and global stability. This perception fueled his staunch anti-communist stance and aggressive containment policies. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were partially a demonstration of American power and resolve to deter further Soviet expansion.
• Stalin’s Perspective: The Novikov Telegram highlighted Stalin’s perception that the US aimed to expand capitalism globally. He believed the US sought to undermine Soviet influence and communism, and this fear drove his actions in Eastern Europe and his overall Cold War strategy.

Conclusion: Seeds of Conflict

The origins of the Cold War were multifaceted and intertwined. It was a complex interplay of ideological conflict, security concerns, geopolitical ambitions, and personality clashes between the leaders of the two superpowers. The conferences, while aiming for post-war cooperation, ultimately revealed the growing chasm between the US and the Soviet Union, setting the stage for decades of confrontation.