Before the Cold War

This section explains the State of the World After World War Two and Before the Cold War. The world in the aftermath of World War Two was dramatically changed, with new alliances, political systems, and tensions setting the stage for the Cold War. The USA, Britain, and the USSR had come together in a temporary alliance to defeat the common threat posed by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. This alliance, known as the Grand Alliance, saw the coming together of nations that had fundamentally different ideologies, yet they co-operated for the sake of defeating their mutual enemies. However, once the war ended, these differences would become impossible to ignore, and the alliance would collapse, eventually leading to the Cold War.

The USA and the USSR had very different political and economic systems. The United States and the United Kingdom were both capitalist countries, operating under democratic systems where governments were elected by the people. In contrast, the Soviet Union, established after the 1917 Russian Revolution, was a communist state. This division created significant tensions between the two superpowers, even as they fought together against the Axis Powers during the war.

The Impact of Nazi Germany and Japan on the Superpowers' Alliance

The alliance between the USA, Britain, and the USSR was largely driven by the need to combat the aggressive actions of Nazi Germany and Japan. In 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany after Adolf Hitler invaded Poland, marking the beginning of World War Two in Europe. The USSR initially signed a non-aggression pact with Germany, but this changed in 1941 when Hitler broke the pact and launched an invasion of the Soviet Union. Faced with this, the USSR joined the war on the side of the Allies, making a temporary alliance with Britain and later the USA.

Meanwhile, in the Pacific, Japan's imperial ambitions brought it into conflict with the USA. On 7th December 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, bringing the USA into the war. This attack united the USA, Britain, and the USSR against the Axis Powers, despite their vast political and ideological differences. The Soviet Union and the United States, two powerful nations with opposing systems, were now fighting together alongside the UK, which had already been at war with Germany for over two years.

Political and Economic Ideologies: Capitalism vs. Communism

While the Grand Alliance was united in its goal of defeating the Axis Powers, the political and economic systems of the USA and the USSR were worlds apart. Understanding these differences is key to understanding why the Cold War developed after the war's conclusion.

• Politics:
  • Democracy (USA and Britain): In capitalist democracies like the USA and Britain, several political parties exist to represent various sectors of society. Governments are chosen through free and fair elections, where the public has the power to vote for their leaders and influence policy. Political freedoms, such as the right to form political parties and express opinions, are central to democratic systems.
  • Dictatorship (USSR): On the other hand, the USSR was a one-party state under the leadership of the Communist Party. The government was not elected democratically; instead, power was concentrated in the hands of the ruling elite, with no opportunities for citizens to change the leadership through elections. The state controlled every aspect of political and social life.
• Economics:
  • Capitalism (USA and Britain): In capitalist economies like those of the USA and Britain, private ownership of businesses is the norm. People are free to set up their own businesses, make profits, and build wealth. The government plays a limited role in the economy, and individuals have the freedom to pursue economic success. This system is driven by competition and the idea that the economy works best when individuals are free to make their own choices.
  • Communism (USSR): In contrast, the Soviet Union was a communist state, where the government owned all businesses and factories. The state controlled the economy, determining production, distribution, and the allocation of resources. The focus was on equality and the collective good, with less emphasis on individual rights and freedoms. Private ownership was not allowed, and the state dictated the economic direction of the country.

The Breakup of the Grand Alliance

The wartime cooperation between the USA and the USSR was largely tactical, driven by the need to defeat common enemies. However, once the war ended in 1945, the differences in political and economic ideologies between the two countries became increasingly apparent. As the USA sought to promote democracy and capitalism across Europe, the USSR sought to spread communism, especially in Eastern Europe, where it established pro-Soviet governments in countries like Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia.

The end of the war also saw the rise of new global power dynamics. The USA emerged from World War Two as a superpower with unmatched economic strength and military capabilities, while the Soviet Union had also emerged as a global power, albeit one weakened by the devastation of the war. The division of Germany, with the Allies controlling the west and the Soviets controlling the east, symbolised the growing divide between the two superpowers.

Revision Tip: Understanding Key Differences Between Capitalism and Communism

When revising the ideological divide between the USA and the USSR, it's important to understand the key differences between capitalism and communism. Here’s a quick summary:

• Politics:
  • Democracy (USA and Britain): Multiple political parties, regular elections, and the freedom to express opposition.
  • Dictatorship (USSR): One-party rule, no elections, and political suppression.
• Economics:
  • Capitalism (USA and Britain): Private businesses, profit-making, and minimal government intervention.
  • Communism (USSR): State control of businesses, central planning, and a focus on equality over individual wealth.

As tensions between the USA and the USSR grew, the breakdown of the Grand Alliance marked the beginning of the Cold War, a period characterised by a struggle for global influence, nuclear arms build-up, and ideological competition that would dominate international relations for decades.