Question

What were the basic causes for the development of Cold War between Soviet Russia and the West?

Answer 1

1. The main reasons for the growth of the Cold War between the West and Soviet Russia were significant ideological, political, and strategic differences that emerged after World War II.
2. At the start, there was a basic ideological clash, the West, led by the US, backed capitalism and democracy, while the Soviet Union backed communism. Both sides saw the other as a threat to their way of life and power around the world.
3. Second, people didn’t trust each other as much during and after the war. The West was worried about what the Soviet Union did in Eastern Europe, where it set up pro-communist governments and broke promises of free elections. So, the West thought this was a sign of Soviet expansionism.
4. Third, differences about Germany’s future, especially about paying reparations and running the country, made things worse. The splitting of Germany and Berlin became a sign of the growing rift.
5. Lastly, there was an arms race between both sides. This was especially true after the U.S. dropped the atomic bomb on Japan in 1945, which made the Soviet Union fearful and competitive.