Political And Economic Leadership In Communist Countries
Humanities
Hello Professor and class, my opinion on the matter sits somewhere in the center of the debacle though somewhat closer to the United States version of the events. Both sides have an element of truth in their account of the events regardless of the propaganda pushed forth by both sides to garner support from their citizens. Each side claims only to be reactionary, acting in self-defense in an instance the other attacks first.
The Soviet Union has time and time again proved its expansionist tendencies. “The history of Russia had proven again and again its territorial ambitions” (Franklin, 2019) – breaking all its wartime pledges and holding Eastern Europe hostage while trying to subvert governments in the West. According to the strategy proposed by George F. Kennan, deputy head of the United States mission in Moscow, “contain[ment] of the soviet power by a system of alliances and foreign aid” (Franklin, 2019) would do best in bringing Stalin to his feet. This, the Soviet interpreted as the US and its allies trying to surround, and ultimately destroy it, for which the US says it is only responding to Soviet breaking all its wartime pledges and round and round the blame game goes. Kennan’s strategy worked far better than he anticipated. His suggestion brought about the Cold War that lasted for four decades and 4 years and ultimately resulting in the collapse of the Soviet Union.
I feel beneath the surface of what the Cold War is is the battle of ideologies; the battle for supremacy between capitalism and communism. Anti-communism sentiments took over the nation during the 50s. “Nationalism is a system created by people who believe their action is superior to all others” (Amadeo, 2018). Permeating the soviet atmosphere was nationalism. And it differs markedly from patriotism as it goes beyond having pride in one’s country to arrogance and potential military aggression. “Nationalism under fascism works within existing social structures, instead of destroying them. It focuses on internal cleansing and external expansion” (Amadeo, 2018) which can be seen to be written all over the Soviet Union.
References
Amadeo, K. (2018, December 14). Nationalism, What It Means and Its History. Retrieved March 2019, from the balance: thebalance.com/nationalism-definition-examples-pros-cons-4149524
Franklin, B. (2019, March). Week 4 Lesson: The Cold War and the struggle for Freedom. Retrieved March 2019, from Chamberlain University: https://chamberlain.instructure.com/courses/41723/…
