Early tensions between East and West During the Second World War, the Soviet Union, USA and Britain formed ‘The Grand Alliance’ against Nazi Germany. However, once Germany had been defeated, tensions between the allied countries began to increase for several reasons. Causes of tension Ideological differences USA & Britain Soviet Union Politics Democracy: free elections with a choice Single-party rule of parties Social structure Some people have more power than Classless society where everyone is others because of family, background, equal wealth, education, or achievements Economy Capitalist: private ownership of Communist: state ownership of property and business property and business Rights Individual freedoms guaranteed The rights of all workers more important than individual rights Differences between leaders Leader Franklin D. Roosevelt Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Date of 1933-45 1940-45, 1951-55 1920s-1953 leadership Country USA Britain Soviet Union Politics and Strongly believed in A conservative with Strengthened one-party beliefs democracy, but formed an traditional values. rule in the USSR and cut alliance with the Soviet Union Strongly believed in back on personal freedoms to protect the USA against democracy, the for Soviet citizens. Stalin Japan. Was not as tough with British Empire and was convinced the West Stalin as Churchill wanted him was very suspicious wanted to destroy to be. of Stalin. communism. A new world order After the Second World War, the ‘old powers’ like Britain and France were now less important. Two new ‘superpowers’, the Soviet Union and the USA had emerged. Their strong militaries and economies created rivalry between them. The Grand Alliance
Early tensions between East and West During the Second World War, the Soviet Union, USA and Britain formed ‘The Grand Alliance’ against Nazi Germany. However, once Germany had been defeated, tensions between the allied countries began to increase for several reasons. Causes of tension Ideological differences USA & Britain Soviet Union Politics Democracy: free elections with a choice of parties Single-party rule Social structure Some people have more power than others because of family, background, wealth, education, or achievements Classless society where everyone is equal Economy Capitalist: private ownership of property and business Communist: state ownership of property and business Rights Individual freedoms guaranteed The rights of all workers more important than individual rights Differences between leaders Leader Franklin D. Roosevelt Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Date of leadership 1933-45 1940-45, 1951-55 1920s-1953 Country USA Britain Soviet Union Politics and beliefs Strongly believed in democracy, but formed an alliance with the Soviet Union to protect the USA against Japan. Was not as tough with Stalin as Churchill wanted him to be. A conservative with traditional values. Strongly believed in democracy, the British Empire and was very suspicious of Stalin. Strengthened one-party rule in the USSR and cut back on personal freedoms for Soviet citizens. Stalin was convinced the West wanted to destroy communism. A new world order After the Second World War, the ‘old powers’ like Britain and France were now less important. Two new ‘superpowers’, the Soviet Union and the USA had emerged. Their strong militaries and economies created rivalry between them. The Grand Alliance
History%20Superpower%20relations%20and%20the%20Cold%20War%20-%20revision%20booklet%20%281%29.docx