To what extent was the pursuit of compatible objectives the only uniting influence on the members of - page 1
Keywords: Seeds of conflict of the cold war
By 4stuchfi on 30/09/2008
Level: A Level (Year 13)
Page Number: 1 of 5 pages: 1 2 3 4 5
The United States of America and the USSR showed many differences that would aggravate both nations throughout the majority of the 20th century. First of all both nations had vastly different political ideologies. America was a flagship for liberal democracy, arguably along with Britain, throughout the world. They believed in the theory ‘to each according to ability’, meaning that the man best at his profession can or will do it and will make money from it according to how good he is at the job. The country was a true democracy; the people elect whom they want to be ruled by in free, fair and frequent elections. The law was also fair, nobody was and still is above the law, it was called the rule of law, and even politicians and noblemen could be prosecuted. This freedom also stretched to the economy, like Britain and other free capitalist countries at the time, they had a free market economy, business men and merchants could trade with anyone they wanted to, at any time and as often as they pleased charging whatever they deemed suitable. The fact that the economy was driven by individuals seeking profit and competition proved to force a strong economy. Taking political, social and economic freedom into account it is clear that the USA was a very liberal democracy. However the USSR’s political ideologies were in stark contrast to the USA’s. Instead of believing in individual liberty, they promoted and enforced equality throughout the country. ‘To each according to ability to each according to need’. This was very different to the USA’s ideas. People in the USSR could work as hard or as little as needed and would receive the same pay. Lenin and Stalin, in each of their rule believed everyone was equal. For example, there were no different classes that would separate society, no private ownership of property was allowed and good were distributed to need. Therefore it is clear that these two nations, in economics, in society, and in politics were completely opposed to each other, as if they were opposite poles of a magnet. The USA was in truth extremely scared of Communism spreading to their country or to any of their trade partners. If Communism spread to the ears of members of society who lived in poor social and economic conditions then a revolution could take place. The USA was also extremely worried that
Rate and Comment on the content!
You have to login to the site, to rate and comment on this coursework.
If you don't have a login, you need to register (you will be returned here after registration)
Current rating is 
out of (2 votes)
Last 5 comments…
There have been no comments posted for this article, but you need to register if you want to be the first!