Traditional great power rivalry interpretation of the development of the Cold War

Question 1

During WW1 and WW2 what did Britain and France attempt to do?

Answer 1

Maintain the status quo against the challenge of Germany. To do this they had to rely of support from the dominant Western power, the USA.

Question 2

How did the Cold War link back to WW1 and WW2?

Answer 2

It repeated the same pattern with the new challenge coming from the USSR, instead of Germany

Question 3

What was Soviet foreign policy driven by?

Answer 3

A deeply ingrained traditional Russian sense of fear and security, which encouraged expansion.

Question 4

Why was Soviet foreign policy understandable?

Answer 4

Russia had been invaded in 1915, 1918 and 1941

Question 5

What did the power vacuums created by the impact of WW2 do?

Answer 5

They drew the two most powerful states (USA and USSR) into these areas in an attempt to extend their influence. US-Soviet conflict flowed from this

Question 6

Which historians support the traditional great power rivalry interpretation?

Answer 6

Louis J. Halle
Walter LaFeber
Thomas G. Paterson