Allied during World War II, within two years postwar antagonism led the United States and the Soviet Union into a new conflict that will continue until the end of the 20th century. From its beginning, the United States and the Soviet Union blamed the other for the cold war. Historians currently offer a more critical perspective and differing views as to who was actually responsible.
INSTRUCTIONS:
In order to prepare you must complete the following readings:
Review and identify relevant sections of Chapter 27.
Read the linked documents. The site will open to the introduction page. You must select the document transcriipt tab located on the upper right-hand side to open the actual document.
The Truman DoctrineLinks to an external site.
The Marshall PlanLinks to an external site.
As you read the document, consider the following questions- What arguments are being made in this statement by President Truman in support of the Marshall Plan? What re world events are directly and indirectly alluded to? What message is Truman sending to the Soviet Union and its satellites in this statement?
Utilize at least one of the linked sources provided in this assignment to support your discussion.
Identify and incorporate at least one additional outside source to support your discussion. In addition to the textbook, you may use any material outside of the textbook that is recommended in the Additional Reading section at the end of each chapter. You are also encouraged to do your own research and identify relevant sources. Please keep in mind that WIKIPEDIA is not an acceptable reference.
Additional Sources
Cold War Documentary Part 1/24 – Comrades 1917 – 1945 Links to an external site.- TranscriiptsDownload Transcriipts
Cold War Documentary Part 2/24 – Iron Curtain 1945 – 1947 Links to an external site.- TranscriiptsDownload Transcriipts
Cold War Documentary Part 3/24 – Marshall Plan 1947 – 1952 Links to an external site.- TranscriiptsDownload Transcriipts
Cold War Documentary Part 4/24 – Berlin 1948 – 1949 Links to an external site.- TranscriiptsDownload Transcriipts
PREPARE AND SUBMIT:
Write a well-organized essay, a minimum of 700 words (but not limited to), including supporting details from the documents/textbook/other sources, in which you analyze and discuss the material that has been assigned by addressing the following question:
Identify and discuss the major conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union that resulted at the beginning of the Cold War, and explain important ways in which both nations contributed to the worsening of cold war tensions. As part of your discussion, you should address who, in your opinion, started the cold war.
