Cold War

Question 1

Between which years was the Cold War?

Answer 1

1945 - 1989

Question 2

Origins: What were the economic differences between the West and the USSR?

Answer 2

The West: Individuals should be able to compete with each other with a minimum state interference and make as much money as they wish = Capitalism

The USSR: Capitalism creates divisions between rich and poor. Thus all businesses and farms should be owned by the state on the behalf of the people = Communism. Goods will be distributed to individuals by the state. Everyone will thus get what is needed and everyone will be working for the collective good.

Question 3

Origin: What were the political differences between the West and the USSR?

Answer 3

The West: Individuals choose the government through voting with a range of parties to vote on. Individuals have certain rights, such as freedom of spech and freedom of the press = Liberal democracy.

The USSR: There is no need for a range of political parties, as the Communist Party truly represents the views of all the workers and rules on behalf of the people. Individual freeoms valued by the west is not necessary = one-party state

Question 4

Origin: What ideals underpinnes the view of each country?

Answer 4

The West:

• Idealism of Wilson and Roosevelt
• Struggle for a beter world based on collective security, political self-determination and economic integration
• Peace, freedom, justice and plenty

The USSR:

• Marxist idealism and Stalinism
• Struggle for a better world based on international socialism
• Peace, freedom, justice and plenty

Question 5

Origins: Why did the USA and USSR emerge as superpowers after 1945?

Answer 5

Military reasons:

• US: #1 air-force in the world
• USSR: #1 land-force in the world
• UK and France was not 2nd rank power

Economic reasons:

• US economy strengthen by the war
• US committed to open trade - market flourished
• US economic strength to prevent a return of instability in Europe
• USSR was the only economic strong power in the East

Policial reasons:

• West: “Democracy was stronger than fascism”
• USSR: “Communism strongr than fascism”
• Stalin had a great influence in the post-war world
• USSR political strength to prevent a return to instability in Eastern EU