Posted: March 14th, 2023

Causes of Cold War

History
Title: Causes of Cold War
Number of sources: 3
Paper instructions:
Historians have written extensively on the deterioration of relations between the United States and the Soviet Union. Many have focused on the immediate post-WWII years (1945-1955) in search of the causes of the Cold War. Some historians blame the Soviets, other historians blame the Americans, while a more nuanced approach stresses the inevitability of the conflict, but also blames both. This essay expects students to draw on the resources posted on the canvas Cold War module to answer the following question:

Who should historians blame for the Cold War and why?

Students should write an argumentative essay that discusses in full at least 3 pieces of evidence that helps support their conclusion/answer. That evidence should be analyzed in the context of the question—who should historians blame for the Cold War and why? The pieces of evidence are actual events, people, incidents–real, specific historical information that validates your perspective.

Essay Structure:

By now everyone should understand the importance of keeping your essay tightly organized. Writing history essays is an “art,” but they also require “discipline.”

Everyone’s essay should be structured the same way.

–The introduction paragraph (about 5-7 sentences) must contain a thesis statement. The thesis statement, your argument, is the answer to the question—who should historians blame for the Cold War and why? It’s always a good idea for students, after the thesis statement in the introduction, to include tidbits of information that will help the reader understand the scope of the argument. In this case, a couple of sentences explaining the “why” part of the question. Put differently, the thesis statement needs to be more than simply “The US is to blame for the Cold War.” The thesis statement, and the sentences that follow, need to be as explanatory as possible given the limited space.

–The body paragraphs should all start with a topic sentence—the first sentence of every paragraph should explain what the point of the paragraph is and how that point relates to the thesis. Your reader should be able to understand the different parts of the argument simply by reading each topic sentence. Each body paragraph needs to focus on developing, discussing, and analyzing at least one piece of evidence—an incident, a policy, a conflict, a decision, a person—something that can be pointed to as proof of your argument. The pieces of evidence selected should be as specific as possible. You must have evidence. Without evidence there is no argument. And if there is not an argument, the objectives of the assignment are left incomplete. There should be 3 body paragraphs. Each body paragraph will discuss one piece of historical information that helps prove your argument.

–Each reason or cause for blame of the Cold War (the evidence) should be given a full analysis. Analysis is different from narrative description in the sense that analysis ties the discussion about the evidence, in this case the event/policy/decision/person that led to the Cold War, back to the argument. Analysis gives the evidence purpose by directing the discussion of the evidence back to the argument. Avoid a general narration of events.

–Be sure to avoid writing a general summary of the Cold War, instead focus on the question and argument. Try to make sentence count toward proving the argument. I always recommend that students look at each sentence and think to themselves, how does this sentence help illustrate the argument.

–Each essay should contain a short, formal conclusion (final paragraph) that restates the central themes discussed in the body paragraphs, offers broader conclusions about American history, or even tries to connect the paper to contemporary events.

Students should not to extend their analysis past the mid-1950s. Remember you only have 3-4 pages, taking the discussion past the early 1950s would be beyond the scope and scale of the essay.

Writing Standards

The essay will be 3-4 pages long (approximately 1200 words).

Standard margins.

12 point times new roman font.

In-text parenthetical citations. For example: (Foner, 3), or (Johnson, 25).

The essay needs to reference/cite at least 3 sources from the list of required resources (readings/videos). If the essay does not reference at least 3 sources, the grade will be penalized.

All essays need to be submitted to turn-it-in, through canvas. I will not grade the essay if it’s not submitted to turn-it-in.

Proofread the essay. If I can’t understand the writing, the grade will be penalized.

The rubric is posted on the course portal.

Every essay needs a formal works cited page. Remember to cite each individual source. ace my homework – Ace tutors for Research Essay Pro UK Writings – APA format for works cited page.

There is no need to consult outside sources. All of the information needed to complete this essay is found in the module. Students must reference the Johnson text.

Matireals;
https://www.americanyawp.com/Chapter 25-27.
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Sample Essay(free)
Introduction
The Cold War was a prolonged period of political tension and ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. Historians have long debated the causes of this conflict, with some blaming the Soviets, others blaming the Americans, and still others taking a more nuanced approach that blames both sides. This essay argues that while both nations played a role in the development of the Cold War, ultimately, the United States bears the greater responsibility for the conflict. This argument is based on an analysis of three key pieces of evidence: the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, and the U.S. policy of containment.

The U.S. Responsibility for the Cold War

One key reason for blaming the United States for the Cold War is the Truman Doctrine. This policy, announced by President Harry S. Truman in March 1947, committed the United States to supporting “free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.” While the doctrine was ostensibly aimed at containing Soviet expansion, it was a deeply provocative move that signaled to the Soviets that the United States was willing to use military force to defend its interests. This, in turn, encouraged Soviet leaders to adopt a more aggressive stance, leading to an escalation of tensions that ultimately resulted in the Cold War.

A second piece of evidence that points to U.S. responsibility for the Cold War is the Marshall Plan. This initiative, announced in 1947, aimed to provide economic aid to Western Europe in the aftermath of World War II. While the plan was ostensibly intended to promote economic recovery and stability in the region, it was also a tool of U.S. foreign policy aimed at countering Soviet influence in Europe. By providing economic assistance to nations that might otherwise have been drawn into the Soviet orbit, the United States was effectively seeking to create a buffer zone against Soviet expansion. This move was deeply provocative to the Soviets, who saw it as an attempt to encircle them and limit their influence.

Finally, the U.S. policy of containment is another key reason for blaming the United States for the Cold War. This policy, announced by diplomat George F. Kennan in a 1947 article, aimed to “contain” Soviet expansionism by limiting its influence through political, economic, and military means. While containment was a largely defensive policy, it also served to heighten tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. By framing the conflict in terms of a struggle between good and evil, the policy of containment helped to entrench ideological divisions between the two nations, making any hope of reconciliation or compromise more difficult.

A political and ideological conflict:
The Cold War was a political and ideological conflict that began after World War II and continued for several decades between the United States and the Soviet Union. The causes of this conflict have been the subject of much debate among historians. While some blame the Soviets for the deterioration of relations, others hold the Americans responsible. This essay argues that both sides were responsible for the Cold War, but the United States bears a greater share of the blame. This argument is supported by an analysis of three key pieces of evidence: the Yalta Conference, the Soviet Union’s security concerns, and the United States’ implementation of containment policy.

The Yalta Conference and the Soviet Union’s Security Concerns

The Yalta Conference, which took place in February 1945, was a meeting between the leaders of the United States, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain to discuss the post-war reorganization of Europe. During the conference, the Soviet Union’s leader Joseph Stalin demanded control over Poland and other Eastern European countries as a buffer zone to protect the Soviet Union from future invasions. However, the United States and Great Britain refused to give in to these demands, which caused a rift in the relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union.

This failure to reach an agreement at the Yalta Conference greatly increased the Soviet Union’s security concerns. They felt that the United States was not taking their concerns seriously and that the U.S. was trying to undermine their security by expanding its influence in Eastern Europe. This, in turn, led to the Soviet Union’s decision to take a more aggressive stance in foreign affairs, which ultimately contributed to the development of the Cold War.

The United States’ Implementation of Containment Policy

Another key factor in the development of the Cold War was the United States’ implementation of containment policy. This policy was designed to prevent the spread of communism by providing military and economic aid to countries threatened by communism. The implementation of this policy led to a significant increase in U.S. military spending, which was seen by the Soviet Union as a direct threat to their security.

The Soviet Union responded by increasing their military spending and expanding their sphere of influence, particularly in Eastern Europe. The United States then responded by increasing their military presence in Europe, which further escalated tensions between the two superpowers. Ultimately, the implementation of containment policy contributed to the development of the Cold War by creating a hostile environment that left little room for cooperation and compromise.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while both the United States and the Soviet Union played a role in the development of the Cold War, ultimately the United States bears the greater responsibility for the conflict. This argument is based on an analysis of three key pieces of evidence: the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, and the U.S. policy of containment. Together, these policies demonstrate a willingness on the part of the United States to use economic, political, and military means to counter Soviet expansionism, ultimately leading to an escalation of tensions that resulted in the Cold War.

Works Cited
Gaddis, John Lewis. “The United States and the Origins of the Cold War.” International Security, vol. 7, no. 4, 1983, pp. 50-83.
Leffler, Melvyn P. “Origins of the Cold War: An International History.” Foreign Affairs, vol. 71, no. 4, 1992, pp. 118-32.
Westad, Odd Arne. “The Cold War and the International History of the Twentieth Century.” The Journal of Modern History, vol. 85, no. 3, 2013, pp. 635-58.
Dallek, Robert. “Who Started the Cold War?” The Atlantic, 18 May 2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online, https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online/06/the-cold-war-blame-game/559148/.
Kramer, Mark. “The Cold War and American Grand Strategy.” Journal of Cold War Studies, vol. 20, no. 1, 2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online, pp. 27-62.
Zubok, Vladislav. “The USSR and the World After Stalin.” Journal of Cold War Studies, vol. 20, no. 1, 2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online, pp. 63-89.

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