Changing views of the cause of the cold war Flashcards
First view
US Orthodox view
1940-1960
The soviet union was to blame
The cold war was caused by aggresive expansion by Soviet leaders who wanted to spread communism
Lack of resources-not much to go on
Most of the historians had seen first hadn the conflicts
People had been led to beleive that soviets were trying to take over the world
Supported by Thomas Bailey
2nd View
Post Revisionist View
1948-1960
The two countries couldnt understand each other
Each country reacted based on misunderstanding and trust
At a time of historical debate
America was building better relations with the USSR
3rd View
US revisionist view
1960-1970
The USA was to blame
The war was caused by the aggresive actions of the americans particulary in the domination of asia
People had seen America support and spend million on the corrupted regime in Vietnam
Cuban revolution showed America behaved like an aggressive empire building nation
William Appleman
Joyce and Gabriel Kolko
4th view
New cold war historians 1989 onwards We still cant be sure of the cause Historians were still divided and new evidence merely supported each side At the end of the cold war New soviet archives President Raegan had behaved aggresively Michael Cox
