The breakdown of the Grand Alliance and the emergence of superpower rivalry in Europe and Asia (1943–1949) Historiography

What are Orthodox historian views on the reason for the breakdown of the Grand Alliance?

Herbert Feis – USSR responsible: Stalin “violated agreements and imposed communism.”

Arthur Schlesinger Jr. – Cold War caused by “totalitarian Soviet expansionism.”

What are Revisionist historian views on the reason for the breakdown of the Grand Alliance?

William Appleman Williams – US driven by “open door” economic imperialism.

Gabriel Kolko – US pursued hegemony, Marshall Plan a tool of domination

What are post revisionist historian views on the reason for the breakdown of the Grand Alliance?

John Lewis Gaddis – Cold War “a tragedy, not a crime”; both sides misperceived intentions.

Melvyn Leffler – Clash of security interests: US needed markets, USSR needed buffers.

What is a recent historical view on the reason for the breakdown of the Grand Alliance?

Odd Arne Westad – Cold War was global from the outset; Asia (China, Japan) mattered as much as Europe.

What is a Marxist historical view on the reason for the breakdown of the Grand Alliance?

E.H. Carr – Soviet actions defensive; US aggression aimed to preserve capitalism.

What is a historian view on the US’ self perception within the conflict?

Vojtech Mastny – Nuclear monopoly gave US a “psychological sense of superiority,” fuelling mistrust.