interpretations of the origins of the cold war

Question 1

what are the key points for the US orthodox view?

Answer 1

• concluded that the USSR was to blame, the Cold War was caused by the aggressive expansion by soviet leaders who wanted to spread communism worldwide
• this view was mainly influenced by the red scare after the Russian revolution in 1917, historian Thomas Bailey argued that the USSR wanted world revolution and that the Soviets caused the Cold War by their actions in Eastern Europe after WWII
• most Americans agreed with this view, they believed the USSR intended to export communism across the world by force if necessary and that it was the USA’s duty to stop it doing this

Question 2

when did the us orthodox view develop?

Answer 2

during the late 1940s to the early 1960s

Question 3

what are the key points for the US revisionist view?

Answer 3

• ## argued that the USA was to blame, the Cold War was caused by the aggressive actions of the USA to ensure that it would dominate trade in Europe and Asia