America’s Foreign Policy and the Cold War Essay -- American History Go

Americas Foreign Policy and the Cold War The role of America at the end of humans War II was where the origins of policing the world originate. America had been engaged in a very costly war in terms of dollars as well as lives. But, despite the expense the United States came out of World War II better than any other nation that was involved. The Second World War was a battle between the Allied and Axis Powers. The Allied Powers consisted of the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, China, and France. This war was seen as the fight against Nazi Germany, and therefore resulted in a majority of the battles fought on German and Russian soil. The aftermath left the Soviet Union in bad shape. Close to twenty million Russians had died fighting the war, which accounted for closely eight percent of their population. Conversely, none of the fighting was done on American soil, and while the United States suffered in terms of casualties it was nonhing compared to the loss Russia had endured. Because the war would not end until the Axis Powers fully surrendered to the Allied Powers, the United States was forced to use the first atomic warfare in history. The atom bomb would later dish as Americas greatest possession. Stalin, the Premier of the Soviet Union had always distrusted the American and English intentions. Because of Stalins aggression and attitude pertaining to Soviet influence on Europe, the postwar military posture on Russia had turned into a standoff. This became the origin of the Cold War. The Cold War, seen as a battle between communism and capitalism, was in reality a to a greater extent complex struggle over a broad range of ideological, economic, and strategic issues. Over the next several years the United States would spend more cash on military and defense than ever before. Several measures were taken to ensure that the same mistakes at the end of World War I would not be repeated. The first in a series of measures was a postwar conference involving President Truman and the Soviet Foreign Minister, V.M. Molokov, where Truman controlled the entire meeting and basically scolded the Soviets for not honor agreements on Poland. Truman told the Russians just where the got off and generally bossed the whole meeting. This symbolized Americas strong-arm stance against communism and signified the position we would hold throughout the Cold War. The next ... ...rying to entrance across. Because he saw the country from the inside Kennan also believed the United Sates should pursue a policy of firm containmentat every point where the Soviets show signs of infringe upon the interest of a peaceful and stable world. This opinion and nous of the relationship between the United States and Russia should have been widely accepted by Americans. They backed this idea of aggressive behavior, rather than a passive approach to the Cold War. Conversely, postwar liberal such as Henry Wallace, a Progressive Party leader, proceed to seek cooperation with the Soviet Union and defended the participation of Communists in their organizations. These ideals were quickly silenced. The American majority, being extremely anti-communist, felt relations with the Soviet Union should be rough and firm. This period introduced American dominance in foreign policy. The ideals of personal freedom and opportunity were the driving forces behind Western philosophy throughout the Cold War. not only were these principles showcased, they were set as the benchmark of equality for the human race.BibliographyCOMPTONS ENCYCLOPEDIACOLD WAR1989 JAMES CORNWELL