The Cold War Really Shaped History - 1983 Words

The Cold war certainly shaped history in the 1900s as a major global threat due to vast political and military tensions. Historiographical studies have shown that the Cold War was primarily due to conflicting ideologies in the world, in addition to America and the USSR’s ulterior motive for global expansionism. The Americans feared Soviet expansionism across the world, and feared the outcome of Communism spreading. Likewise, the USSR feared a capitalist spread. This essay will outline the differing historiographical perceptions of the Cold War and will address the notions as to whether the Cold War was solely to do with a clash of ideologies, a clash of superpowers, or whether they were both vital aspects in explaining Cold War history.†¦show more content†¦Fraser Harbutt in his book on Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech highlights how there was a fear of soviet ideologies not just from the US but also from the UK, which had been made clear in Churchill’s I ron Curtain Speech. â€Å"It was a chance to realize the two central elements in Churchill’s political outlook that go back to the World War I era: his deep longing for some form of transcendent Anglo-American intimacy and his persistent hostility towards Soviet communism.† They feared that communism would spread to their neighbouring countries which is why Churchill tried to send out a warning against the spread of communism. Molotov; a leading figure in the Soviet government, emphasised what the Soviet policy was, which offers a reason as to why there was a clash of ideologies as the result of the Cold War. â€Å"The policy of our party is and remains the final triumph of Socialism on a world scale.† Molotov indicated what the western fear of the Soviet policy was which consequently put the rest of the world on edge. Melvyn P. Leffler shares some views of the Cold War which adds to Martin’s viewpoint. â€Å"The Orthodox rendition of events portrayed t he Soviet Union as relentlessly expansionist and ideologically motivated.† The Soviets were profoundly linked with spreading their ideologies to those countries in their interests. A particular country in their interests was