Kennan’s long telegram

Question 1

When did it take place?

Answer 1

-22 Feb 1946

Question 2

Who was George Kennan?

Answer 2

-Second ranking officer in the US embassy in Moscow

Question 3

What did he believe Stalin wanted?

Answer 3

-Believed he wanted to replace the fear of Germany + Japan in the minds of the soviets w/ the fear of British + Americans
-Believed the collapse of the Grand Alliance was inevitable

Question 4

What did George Kennan support?

Answer 4

-The idea of splitting the EU into spheres of influences
-Defining a line across which Soviets + communists couldn’t cross

Question 5

Why was this telegram so important?

Answer 5

-It was key in shaping US policy towards the Soviets + ultimately determining the USA’s role as a global power

Question 6

What 6 key points did Kennan make?

Answer 6

-USSR viewed the West as hostile and meddling
-Peace between the USSR + US was unlikely
-USSR foreign policy is aggressive + ideologically motivated
-USA should prepare to threaten force on the USSR should they continue to expand their influence
-Prosperity in the West will undermine the policies in the East
-The US should become more proactive in helping Europe: CONTAINMENT

Question 7

What did the Soviet’s believe were the USA’s FP was?

Answer 7

-Based on economic imperialism
-Their aim was to use its own economic power to make states dependent on it in order to establish its own global supremacy