Explain why the relationship between the USA and the USSR soured after World War II. / Reasons for outbreak of Cold War.
FACTOR 1:
The relationship between the USA and the USSR soured after WWIl as there was no longer a common enemy that could unite the two superpowers. Once Germany had been defeated, the common objective that had bound USA and the USSR had gone. When this happened, both sides started to fulfil their own objectives that served their own national interests and in trying to do so, encroached into each other's interests. For the USSR, their objective was to secure those areas that could form a buffer between Germany and USSR as Germany had attacked them twice in 30 years. This led to the establishment of pro-Soviet governments in Eastern Europe. However, this was perceived by the US as a form of aggression and as such introduced measures to contain it. This led to the introduction of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan which targeted Communism as it committed the US to assist countries fighting against Communism. These policies were in turn viewed as a threat by the Soviet Union leading to the formation of COMINFORM and COMECON. As such, once there was no need to work together against a common enemy, the USA and USSR strategic moves to secure their national interests would lead to the deterioration of their relationship.
FACTOR 2:
The relationship between the USA and the USSR also soured after WWII as they had differing visions for the world, post-World War 2. USA and the Western powers wanted to revive Germany's economy as they believed that it was important for Europe's recovery. On the other hand, the USSR wanted a weak Germany that could no longer pose a threat to the Soviet Union. As such, many unimportant issues remained unsettled at Potsdam such as how much reparations Germany had to pay. Their disagreement on the development of postwar Germany would serve to bring out their differences in their ideologies and goals, souring their relationship. [5] In addition, US wanted to further their influence in Europe through the economic revitalisation of the European countries and wanted to prevent the spread of communist influence in Europe. However, The Soviet Union wanted to build and secure its own influence in Eastern Europe for their own security issues. Thus, this difference deepened their distrust for each other as both sought to spread their influence.