As an expert in international relations and history, I can provide a comprehensive analysis of the causes of the Cold War. The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies, the Eastern Bloc and the Western Bloc, after World War II. It is important to note that the causes of the Cold War are multifaceted and complex, involving a range of political, economic, and ideological factors. Step 1: English Answer The long-term causes of the Cold War are rooted in the fundamental differences between the ideologies of communism and capitalism. The Western democracies, led by the United States, were fundamentally opposed to the idea of a communist state, which was the foundation of the Soviet Union's political system. This ideological divide was a significant factor that contributed to the onset of the Cold War. One of the key events that set the stage for the Cold War was the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia in 1917. The United States, along with other Western countries, refused to recognize the legitimacy of the USSR for 16 years after this takeover, which further strained relations between the East and the West. Post-World War II, the Yalta Conference and the subsequent Potsdam Conference laid the groundwork for the division of Europe. The agreements made at these conferences were not fully adhered to by the Soviet Union, leading to a breakdown in trust and an escalation of tensions. The creation of the United Nations was an attempt to foster international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. However, the UN often became a forum for the superpowers to express their opposing views and engage in a war of words, rather than a platform for genuine collaboration. Economic factors also played a significant role in the development of the Cold War. The Marshall Plan, initiated by the United States, was designed to aid in the economic recovery of Western European countries after the war. The Soviet Union viewed this as an attempt to spread American influence and control in Europe, which they vehemently opposed. The nuclear arms race was another critical aspect of the Cold War. Both the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in an intense competition to develop and stockpile nuclear weapons, which further heightened tensions and created a climate of fear and uncertainty. The Berlin Blockade and the subsequent Berlin Airlift were pivotal events that demonstrated the growing rift between the two superpowers. The Soviet Union's blockade of West Berlin was seen as an act of aggression by the West, and the Western response to supply the city by air was a clear message of defiance. The Korean War and the Vietnam War were both proxy wars in which the United States and the Soviet Union supported opposing sides, further illustrating the extent of their ideological and political differences. Lastly, the Soviet Union's belief in communism and its attempts to spread this ideology globally were seen as a direct threat to the capitalist West. The United States, in particular, was committed to containing the spread of communism, a policy known as the Truman Doctrine. In conclusion, the causes of the Cold War were multifaceted, involving deep-seated ideological differences, economic competition, military build-up, and a series of events that eroded trust and cooperation between the superpowers. The Cold War was not a traditional war but rather a prolonged period of conflict characterized by political, economic, and psychological warfare. **read more >>

The long-term causes of the Cold War are clear. Western democracies had always been hostile to the idea of a communist state. The United States had refused recognition to the USSR for 16 years after the Bolshevik takeover. ... Finally, the Soviet Union believed in communism.read more >>