Why did the USSR and the USA emerge as superpowers. Make sure you specify the military, economic, and Political reasons.
With reference to the military aspects, the USA and USSR became superpowers because they became the predominant air force and land force sectors of the world, respectively. Likewise, this meant that France and Great Britain had fallen behind due to their inabilities to triumph, which with the loss of Germany left Russia as the sole militant stronghold of the region. From the economic standpoint the USA stood far above due to the growth of their economy during the war, their commitment to open trade, and the pure strength that could secure European recovery. In turn, the small European countries that are not self-sufficient could now turn to the USSR for support locally. Finally, on a political level both stood out as superpowers because, one, they had outlasted fascism to make democracy, and to an extent communism, seem like the victor, and two, left the post war world extremely mold able.
Part 2 of the packet outlines 8 steps that lead to the Cold War. Please identify these and then briefly describe each.
Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam Soviet
action was the basis of the Long Telegram and the Iron Curtain speech
2.The Long Telegram, February 22 1946 Shaped US foreign
policy: Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan
3. The Iron Curtain Speech, March 6 1946- Shaped US foreign
policy: Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan
4. The Truman Doctrine, March 12 1946- A result of the Iron
Curtain Speech and the Long Telegram
5. The Marshall Plan, June 5 1947- Broader application of
the principles behind the Truman Doctrine.- Congress was compelled to pass the
Marshall Plan after the Czech Coup.
6. Red Army occupation of Eastern Europe, 1945-7-
Contributed to need for containment.
7. Czechoslovakia Coup, February 1948- Direct cause for the
Marshall Plan.- Contributed to need for containment.
8. Berlin Blockade, June 1948- First direct confrontation
between the US and the USSR in a proxy location.
