The Cold War was a term first used in 1947 to describe the conflicts between the Communist USSR and democratic United States. It is hard to solely blame the war on just one particular party however one must look closely at the differences and events that caused the outbreak of the Cold War. These reasons were ideological differences, arms race and very poor and conflicting relation between the US and the USSR.
The initial conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States began at the peace-time conferences. This occurred especially at Yalta (February 1945), Potsdam (July 1945) and Paris (1946). At Paris, political leader Molotov denied the west’s ideas about not taking reparations and about wanting free elections in Eastern Europe.
Their conflict was intensified after President Truman declared the Truman Doctrine and launched the Marshall Plan in 1947.
Extension of Russian influence in Europe:
Even before the end of the war, the Soviet Union had gradually extended her influence in Europe
Stalin was not satisfied with communist control of eastern Europe. In the meantime, he encouraged the communists to take an active part in the immediate post-war elections in western Europe. In late 1946, the French and Italian Communists were becoming the most powerful parties in France and Italy.
Despite the increasing Russian influence in eastern and central Europe, many politicians in the United States were optimistic about the chances of co-operation with the Soviet Union after the war and did not advocate strong resistance against Russian expansion.
But from May 1945 onwards, the situation was changed. The U.S. government favored a policy of strong resistance against Russia.
The first reason was that President Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945. He was succeeded by Harry S. Truman. President Roosevelt was an optimistic man. He seemed to have believed that although eastern Europe had fallen under the influence of Russia, she would keep her promise (made at...