S/N

Reasons

Elaborations

1

Change of Leaders

US: Roosevelt à Truman (who is apparently more aggressive in countering communism)

British: Churchill à Clementine

Change in leaders à Different nature in handling situations

2

Seed of Mistrust and Distrust

1. 1917 October Revolution: Communism came into power, US was not pleased with the rise in communism.

2. Civil War following next: Menshiviks, backed by US, were against Bolsheviks. Might the Bolsheviks ultimately won, the grudge against US’s support was held still.

3. 1939 Munich Conference: Stalin (USSR) was not invited for the conference, especially when Czechoslovakia lies on USSR’s borders, thereby suspicious about US’s real intent.

3

Different aims and superpower rivalry

USSR:

Suffered much during World War 2, thereby aim would be SECURITY, which meant having “friendly neighbours”.

US:

Build a market of free trade.

4

Ideological Differences

1. Capitalism VS Communism

a. Political: Free elections VS totalitarian rule

b. Social: Freedom of speech VS collectivization and state-owned

c. Economic: free market VS states

2. Aftermath of WWII: Previously, German has been a common enemy; after that, interacted the various small groups which have outside involvement.

5

Policies failure

1. February 1945 Yalta Agreement: discussed fate of Poland

2. London VS Lublin Poles: Government of democracy and communism respectively. *Warsaw Uprising in 1947.

3. August 1945: Potsdam Conference.