Causes of Cold War: Traditional Great Power Rivalry

Question 1

Traditional great power rivalry

Answer 1

• Several factors contributed to deteriorating US-Soviet relations after 1945
• Power vacuum created by impact of WWII drew 2 most powerful states (US/USSR) into these areas in attempt to ext. influence
  
  • US-Soviet conflicted flowed from this

Question 2

Geographical inevitability

Answer 2

• CW was inevitable outcome of powers’ struggle for influence/prestige
• US/Russian expansionism brought superpowers into closer contact, thus generating rivalry

Question 3

Traditional Russian expansionism

Answer 3

• Stalin’s FP essentially continuation of trad. exp. objectives of Tsarist Empire, rather than attempt to spread communism globally
• Stalin acted as ‘Red Tsar’ seeking to extend USSR’s borders/influence
• Stalin’s key post-war objectives, and source of tension w/ West, was to recover former Russian territory lost under Brest-Litovsk (1918) by incorporating Poland/Baltic states into empire
• CW was outcome of Russia’s ongoing desire to inc. influence/territory

Question 4

Impact of WWII

Answer 4

• Redistribution of power:
  
  • defeat of Germany/Italy/Japan left power vacuum in EU/Asia
  • Br/Fr power much reduced.
    WWII accelerated disintegration of EU empires.
• Led to political instability - USA/USSR competed for influence over newly independent states
  
  • Cold War emerged from instabilities of post-war world

Question 5

Assessment of traditional great power rivalry interpretation (Strengths)

Answer 5

• Takes long-term view by connecting development of CW to well-established trends in US/USSR FP
• Highlights role of trad. national self-interest in promoting Cold War tensions

Question 6

Assessment of traditional great power rivalry (Weaknesses)

Answer 6

Underestimates ideological causes of the Cold War