Cold War
A Truong 5-3-02 AP Euro History Block 8 “The Cold War” *Extra Credit Essay* After the closing months of World War II, there still remained much tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, as well as many other countries. The Russians were acting like communists, taking over absolute control of the smaller countries of Poland and Romania, while the United States were trying to force Germans to reimburse the Soviet Union for World War II. Many people have contrasting viewpoints and opinions about who was to blame for the Cold War. ... In the end, there were many attributes and events that had triggered the Cold War, thus creating more controversy over much of Europe and the United States. There are many points that may have triggered the Cold War. Firstly, the history of mistrust between the USA and the Soviet Union that formed after their alliance in World War II was a triggering event. ... Once Germany was defeated, the Soviets would join war against Japan. ... This would be seen as an act of war, and Stalin did not believe that the Allies would go that far. ... In the end, there were many elements that triggered the Cold War in Eastern Europe and the United States. There are many that believe that this incident could have been prevented, but in the end, this preventable war did occur. ... In the end, the Cold War, which followed the post World War II period, changed the lives of millions in the past, as well as the present in our known history.