Reference no: EM133321271

Question: "Was Stalin Responsible for the Cold War?"

Propaganda of the time and history lessons still taught in American schools today would suggest that Stalin was indeed responsible for the Cold Wars origins, however these teachings severely neglect both Truman and Bushs policies which essentially bullied the Soviet Union in to acting in self defense where their assets were threatened. Where the U.S had first been focused on a peaceful solution to the settlement of the Polish, Rumanian, Yugoslavian, and Manchurian post war problems their negotiation tactics quickly changed after the successful display of the atomic bombs power in Japan. According to a report from Churchill Truman entered the negotiation meetings with Russia following the atomic report with a rather egotistical behavior bragging of the new destructive force the U.S wielded. It was assumed that the Soviet Union would surrender its important geographical, political, and ideological objectives in exchange for the neutralization of the new weapon however Russia took stock of this new American stance and decided a country that would completely disregard innocents for an ultimate goal could not be trusted. An arms race in defense of the Soviet Union against the violent nature of America was produced and the Cold War ensued.