Historical Interpretations Cold War Flashcards
Explain the US orthodox view
The Cold War was caused by the soviets desire to spread communism
Late 1940s-early 1960s
Thomas Bailey argued that the USSR wanted world revolution and their actions in Eastern Europe catalysed the war
Kennan argued that Stalin deliberately provoked the USA to gain support from the public
Hebert Feis argued that the USSR was spreading communism across the globe and US response was necessary
The view was influenced by a lack of sources, propaganda, and the Red Scare
It was widely accepted but received challenges from William A. Williams and E.H. Carr as well as soviets
Explain the US revisionist view
The aggression of the US triggered the Cold War as well as its hunger for trade domination in Asia and Europe
Mid 1960s-mid 1970s
Truman’s get tough attitude threatened the soviets and the Marshall plan was only used to prevent economic depression in the US
Kolko’s argued that American policies in Europe were designed to enforce capitalistic ideology throughout Europe and prevent communism
The view was influenced by the Cuba revolution, William A. Williams argued that US was too aggressive
The Vietnam war and the mass killings of locals and use of bombing raids made US public question the morals of the US
It received challenges from traditionalists
Explain the Post-revisionist view
‘The Cold War was caused by miscommunications and lack of trust
Early 1970s-1989
John Lewis Gaddis- war was a result of fear, confusion and misunderstanding, US policy exaggerating USSR threat, Stalin was a large factor in the cause
Influenced by the large increase in historical debate, as well as the thawing of the Cold War which made historians think more in terms of misunderstanding rather than blame
The view was more accepted than that of the revisionist due to a more complex and rounded approach
Widely accepted with Caroline Eiseberg claiming it to be just the Orthodox view with some references to support it
Explain the the New Cold War view
New access to Soviet archives left historians divided by who was the main contributor to the construction of the Cold War
1989-present
Michael Cox and Caroline Kennedy-Pipe maintain revisionist outlook while Gaddis goes full on Orthodox
Reagan factor suggested the recklessness of his policies while many supported them
Stalin was truly a threat and the US were right to react as he was evil and aggressive and wanted world domination through communism
