Causes of Cold War: Responsibility of leaders - Roosevelt and Truman

Question 1

Role of Roosevelt

Answer 1

• Made too many concessions to USSR over Poland/China — convinced Stalin they would not stop him?
• His death removed Western leader who might’ve succeeded in ext. US-Soviet co-op into the post-war period.

Question 2

Role of Truman

Answer 2

• Was more anti-communist; intro much harder edge to US Cold War diplomacy
• Truman’s uncompromising anti-communist stance undoubtedly inc. Soviet fears, made Stalin less likely to co-op

Question 3

Containment of USSR

Answer 3

• Truman quickly convinced that USSR was expansionist power, which US had to contain
• Significance of Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan
• Developed a ‘get tough’ policy stem communist growth:
  
  • used US nuclear monopoly to put pressure on Stalin at Potsdam (1945)
    ran supply flights to thwart Berlin Blockade (1948-9)

Question 4

Lack of international experience

Answer 4

• Truman had little prior knowledge of foreign affairs
• Inexperience made him keen to est. strong international reputation

Question 5

Domestic pressures

Answer 5

• Decision to intervene in Korea (1950) partly influenced by domestic criticism, that his govt had ‘lost’ China in 1949.

Question 6

Personal characteristics and beliefs

Answer 6

• Was stridently anti-communist/more suspicious of Soviet motives than Roosevelt
• Tended to see issues in black/white terms
• Lacked patience to work through complex problems
  
  • admitted he was not up on all details

Question 7

Talking up of Soviet threat

Answer 7

• Deliberately exaggerated communist threat to secure key objectives e.g.
  
  • Congressional aid to Greece/Turkey
  • US acceptance of Truman Doctrine