The origins of the cold war

WHAT WAS THE COLD WAR?

The Cold War is described as the a “fundamental clash of ideologies” by John Mason and describes the building tension between the two superpowers, US and USSR during the 20^th century.

Though both nations didn’t ever fight in a physical war, both sides did engage in proxy-war in the developing world.

John Lewis Gaddis argues that the Cold War only lasted so long due to the nuclear balance between two nations. The Soviet Union managed to disguise their economic weakness through their funding in nuclear weaponry which eventually led to them their downfall.

“conflict between capitalism and communism was inevitable” – John Mason

THE OPPOSING IDEALOGIES OF THE COLD WAR

Marxism – Leninism is the foundation that built Soviet communism. Karl Marx believed the bourgeoisie would be overthrown by the proletariat which would create a society that funded people based on their ability and needs, which in Marx’s belief would eradicate greed and economic competition.

MARXISM – LENINSM

Lenin adapted Marxism to the situation in Russia, who believed that a selected few proletariats should usurp the Tsarist Regime. Lenin create the Bolshevik Party, which seized power in October 1917.

Lenin stated in his pamphlet, State and Revolution, that Russia would be the “dictatorship of the proletariat” until all its enemies are destroyed and then it will become a Marxist communism. However, until then the Soviets would use violence. Eventually USSR turned into a state that is dictated by the government in all aspects of the economy, there would be no democracy and limited freedom of speech.

CAPITALISM

Capitalism is run by people who want to make a profit and so produce want rather than necessary. Opposition to Marxism-Leninism in the US was created by highlighting the clear contradiction to capitalism, which was the economic system used in the West.

Rival definitions of democracy

Both Superpowers had contrasting definitions of democracy. Marxist-Leninist believed democracy is the equality of wealth between all workers of all wealth. Democratic states believed that the people should have a voice on whom can run the government, and if the people dislike the leader, they despot them.

Religion

Marx-Lenin didn’t believe in religion and thought it was used a means of exploiting the proletariat. This led to religion being banned in Russia. Christian churches responded by being key critics against communism, and in 1979 Pope John Paul II strengthened political opposition in Poland to communism  

THE SOVIET UNION AND THE WESTERN POWER

The Bolshevik Revolution succeeded, however Lenin feared that an isolated Bolshevik Russia would be vulnerable to the pressures from the capitalist world. For Russia to excel, they needed global expansion.

THE USA AND RUSSIA 1917-1918

USA and Russia were allies during WWI, both sharing a common enemy – Germany. However, after the Bolshevik Revolution, Russia withdrew from the war.

Lenin’s communism and revolution also clashed with the current US president’s ideologies who believed…