The end of World War II saw the rise of tensions and hostilities between the United States and the Soviet Union, an era of time known as “The Cold War.” It resulted from the expansion of Soviet influence, specifically communism, into Eastern Europe, which worried the democracies of the west that had established political primacy in Western Europe. America and the Soviet Union promoted opposing economic and political ideologies and competed for international influence. The American response to Soviet actions was justified by condoning it as a necessary policy, believing it to be a counterattack, and by saying that the United States has to set an example to lead other nations of the free Western world. President Harry S. Truman discussed the …show more content…
Many considered the United States to be the center of power in the free world that other nations depended on. In the National Security Council report, NSC-68, it stated that the United States had a heavy responsibility of leadership and must organize and enlist the resources of the free world in a plan for peace that will “frustrate” the Soviet government’s design for world dominance because they will be forced to adjust to it. The report also emphasized the need for cooperation of the free world led by the United States, which would be costly and involve domestic financial and economic adjustments, and without it would result in losing positions of vital interest. Kennan also believed that America would be the primary force, but would also need the assistance of others to “promote tendencies that will find their outlet in either the breakup or the gradual mellowing of Soviet power,” meaning that the free Western world can gradually take down Soviet power. In conclusion, the American response to Soviet actions can be justified by many influential aspects of the Cold War, including President Truman, George Kennan, and the NSC-68 report. The response was supported by deeming it as a necessary American policy, the demand for a counterattack against Soviet pressure, and to set an example to lead other nations of the free Western world. The United States’ response