The Origins of the Cold War, c1945-1949: Developing Tensions - Kennan's Long Telegram

Question 1

Who made the Long Telegram?

Answer 1

George Kennan
- Low-ranking officer in the US embassy of Moscow

Question 2

When was the Long Telegram written?

Answer 2

• 22 February 1946

Question 3

What is a telegram?

Answer 3

• Long-distance transmission of textual messages that are meant to be concise

Question 4

Who was the Long Telegram sent to?

Answer 4

• Sent from the US embassy in Moscow to the US State
Department in Washington

Question 5

What was the purpose of the Long Telegram?

Answer 5

• Kennan believed the East-West relations would inevitably collapse
• Kennan believed that the Soviet Union and communism posed a threat to the USA and the free world
• Kennan outlined policies Truman should take to oppose communist expansion

Question 6

Briefly describe why Kennan feared the USSR

Answer 6

• Saw USSR as an ideological threat
• Believed Stalin would undermine Western powers
• Saw USSR as a security threat

Question 7

Why did Kennan view the USSR as an ideological threat?

Answer 7

• Kennan believed it was in communist and Russian nature to
impose its ideology on the rest of the world
• Believed USSR opposed Western democratic values
•’[lt is] desirable and necessary for our traditional way of life to be destroyed.’

Question 8

Explain Kennan’s belief that the USSR would undermine Western powers

Answer 8

• Believed Stalin would demonise the West to legitimise the
Stalinist regime
• Believed USSR would set Western powers against each other
• Believed USSR would weaken the power and influence the West had on its colonies

Question 9

How did Kennan think the US should respond to USSR foreign policy?

Answer 9

• Argued the US must be prepared to threaten the use of force
• Ensure unity among its allies
• To take a proactive role in Europe by containing communism

Question 10

How did the USSR respond to the Long
Telegram?

Answer 10

• In September 1946 the Soviet ambassador in Washington, Nikolai Novikov
• Concluded that the USA’s foreign policy was based on economic imperialism
• It aimed to ensure that other states were dependent upon it to ensure the USA’s global supremacy

Question 11

What was the significance of the Long Telegram in terms of the US approach to foreign policy?

Answer 11

• Aligned with Truman’s views that the USSR were an ideological and security threat to the US
• The Long telegram marked another step in America’s shift from traditional isolationism in favour of taking a lead role in international affairs
• Became the basis of US foreign policy of containment