The Genesis of the Cold War: Political, Economic, and Security Roots (1945–1949)

Posted on Dec 6, 2025 in History

Theme I: The Cold War

1. Origins of the Cold War (1945–1949)

I. Political and Ideological Roots

  • Sovietization of Eastern Europe (1945)
    • Violated the ‘Declaration of Liberated Europe’ (1945 Yalta Conference) through the use of force.
    • Salami Tactics: Holding elections, but often accompanied by intimidation and fraud.
    • In Hungary, Soviets initially allowed non-Communist parties, but these were later crushed or rendered powerless.
    • The Polish government formed in 1945 was predominantly Communist (14 out of 17 members).
    • The 1947 elections in Poland were accompanied by intimidation and fraud, resulting in the Communist Democratic Bloc winning 80% of the votes.
  • Bolshoi Theatre Speech (1946)
    • Joseph Stalin glorified USSR achievements and praised past economic policies (Five-Year Plans and Collectivization).
    • Decreed that this successful model should be multiplied both within the USSR and internationally.
  • Zhdanov’s Two Camps Thesis (1947)
    • Asserted that the world had been divided into two antagonistic camps.
    • The task of Communist parties was to lead resistance against American plans.
  • Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech (1946)
  • Truman Doctrine (1947)
    • Established the US policy of Containment, aimed at preventing the spread of Communism.
    • The Domino Theory was the idea that if one country fell to Communist influence, its neighbors would also follow suit.
    • Further influenced by George Kennan’s Long Telegram (1946).
    • The US embarked on a global strategy to oppose Communist encroachments.
    • $400 million in aid was given to Greece and Turkey, nations in need of economic assistance and under Soviet threat.
  • Cominform (Communist Information Bureau, 1947)
    • The USSR’s response to the Truman Doctrine.
    • Aimed to strengthen the solidarity and coordination of Communist parties across Europe.

II. Economic Factors Driving Conflict

  • Lend-Lease Agreement Termination (1945)
    • Military and economic aid extended by the US to the USSR, totaling about US$11 billion.
    • The sudden termination of aid after three days was seen by the Soviets as a hostile response to the Sovietization of Eastern Europe.
  • Marshall Plan (European Recovery Program, 1947)
    • US$13 billion was offered to aid war-torn Europe, but Eastern European nations, under Soviet pressure, rejected the assistance.
    • Viewed by the USSR as a form of Economic Diplomacy or Dollar Imperialism.
  • Berlin Blockade (1948–1949)
    • Following the creation of Bizonia (US and British zones) and Trizonia (including the French zone), a new Western German currency, the Deutsche Mark, was introduced to accelerate post-war recovery.
    • The USSR imposed an immediate blockade on West Berlin in protest against these currency reforms.
    • All land links were blockaded, and power and coal supplies were cut off.
    • Resulted in the Berlin Airlift, a massive operation to supply West Berlin by air.
    • The crisis sparked a wave of anti-Communist sentiment and formalized the division of Germany.
  • COMECON (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, 1949)
    • The Soviet response to the Marshall Plan.
    • An attempt to achieve economic self-sufficiency within the Soviet bloc and coordinate planning among members to increase productivity and distribution of goods.

III. Security Concerns and Historical Animosities

  • Historical Animosities
    • Germany had attacked Russia through Poland in both 1914 and 1941.
    • The Americans had intervened in the Russian Civil Wars (1918 to 1920), supporting the anti-Bolshevik White forces against the victorious Red Bolsheviks.
  • Soviet War Losses
    • World War II resulted in the deaths of 9 million Soviet military personnel and more than 27 million civilian deaths, approximately 19% of the USSR’s pre-war population.
    • Hence, the USSR felt an acute need for a secure buffer zone against the West.
  • Baruch Plan (1946)
    • Offered by the USA to the USSR, proposing that the USSR halt atomic weapons production until a complete international control system had been established.
    • The USA, however, could continue producing the necessary materials (the wherewithal) but not the actual bombs; the Soviets turned down the plan.