Feb 46 Stalin said peace
between capitalists and
communists was
impossible as capitalist
competition would
inevitably lead to a war
Viewed by the West
as an ideological
attack on them
Kennan's Long Telegram:
argued USSR was
increasing their military
capability to spread
communism, that the US
were the only ones who
could stand up to them
and should begin a policy
of containment
Novikov's telegram to Stalin:
argued since Roosevelt's
death US had stopped their
policy of cooperation and
begun a propaganda campaign
against USSR to prepare the
US public for a war with USSR
Iran Crisis: March 1946
During WWII Iran was occupied by Britain and USSR
USSR had agreed to withdraw their
troops by March 1946 and hand over their
territory to Britain
By the end of March it was clear
the Soviets had no intention of
withdrawing
US and Britain united in condemnation
of this "aggressive imperialist policy"
Led to a clear division in
the Grand Alliance
Led US and Britain to
believe USSR was
expanding it's influence
Iron Curtain: March 1946
Churchill argued:Europe had been divided by a metal curtain
that Soviet influence in the East was
increasng
Feared Stalin was trying to stir up revolutions
throughout Europe and win power that way
Called on Western nations to resist this
Truman Doctrine 1947
Truman exaggerated claims to get
support
Difficulties in Western Europe
Bad harvest then harsh winter led to
chronic food shortages in Germany
The problems were multiplied by the
lack of trade between the East and
the West of commodities e.g. grain