The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the topic of the Cold War. Specifically it will discuss why Russia was responsible for the start of the Cold War. The Cold War was an undeclared "war" between Russia and the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. It is called the Cold War because no actual firing or "hot" action took place (Editors). It was not really a war, but more a standoff between the most powerful nations on Earth.

             The Cold War actually began in 1945, after World War II ended. The three major powers in the war, America, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain, had created pacts and treaties during the war, but the all ran out after the war ended. The Soviet Union gained a lot of territory during the war, and slowly began to take over more, like East Germany. The dividing of Berlin with the Berlin Wall added to tensions. The United States had nuclear weapon technology, and the Soviet Union began to develop their own. When they finally did, each side was afraid of the other, and each side felt they needed to build up their arsenals and create weapons that could keep the other nation at bay. As the two countries distrust grew, more weapons were developed, and it became a vicious circle. This was the height of the Cold War, and it frightened many people around the world.

             It seems clear Russia started the Cold War. First, Russia had been an ally during World War II but they drew away from the United States after the war and began redeveloping their country. The added territory after the war and spread Communism further throughout Europe. They were very tyrannical rulers and they subjugated their people, which the U.S. did not agree with. In fact, Joseph Stalin had promised the United States that the Soviet Union would hold free elections throughout their country and their satellite nations after the war, but he never allowed it to happen (Editors).