Origins of the Cold War: Kenan Long Telegram and Novikov Telegram

Background

• Both the USA and USSR experienced growing distrust post-World War II.
• Presidents Truman and Stalin sought insights into each other's countries' attitudes through embassy reports.
• Resulted in two significant telegrams:
  • The Long Telegram by US Ambassador George Kennan.
  • The Novikov Telegram by USSR Ambassador Nikolai Novikov.

The Long Telegram (George Kennan)

• Author: George Kennan, US ambassador to the USSR.
• Date: Sent on February 22, 1946, from Moscow to Washington, DC.
• Nature: Extremely long and detailed, unusual for telegrams.
• Content:
  • Reported Stalin's desire to destroy capitalism.
  • Indicated Stalin's belief that the outside world aimed to destroy communism.
  • Suggested that the USSR could be convinced to back down without military conflict.
• Impact:
  • Led to the USA's policy of containment, preventing the spread of communism.
  • Influenced US foreign policy, notably in the Vietnam War effort.

Key Extract from The Long Telegram

• "A political force committed fanatically to the belief that it is desirable and necessary that the USA's traditional way of life be destroyed... without military conflict."

The Novikov Telegram (Nikolai Novikov)

• Author: Nikolai Novikov, USSR ambassador to the USA.
• Date: Sent on September 27, 1946, from Washington, DC to Moscow.
• Nature: Became public after Soviet archives opened in the 1990s.
• Content:
  • Criticized US foreign policy as aiming for world domination.
  • Accused the USA of preparing for a war for world domination.
  • Claimed President Truman was less cooperative than Roosevelt.
  • Indicated American public's potential support for war against the USSR.
• Impact:
  • Led to Soviet policies focused on securing Eastern Europe’s borders.

Key Extract from The Novikov Telegram

• "US foreign policy... characterized by a desire for world domination... preparing the conditions to win World Domination in a new war."

Conclusion

• Both telegrams highlighted the mutual fear and distrust post-WWII.
  • Kenan's Perspective: The USSR was a threat but not one that required war.
  • Novikov's Perspective: The USA was seen as aggressive and imperialistic.
• These documents set the scene for the paranoia and strategies that defined the Cold War.

Discussion Prompt

• How similar were the concerns expressed in both telegrams? Interpret whether the USA and USSR were essentially thinking along similar lines.

• Review: This session summarized the key content and impacts of the Kenan and Novikov telegrams, foundational documents for understanding Cold War dynamics.
• Engage: Leave comments on specific topics to prioritize for future sessions.