Historical Interpretations - Paper 3

Traditional Approach Soviets are primarily responsible for the Cold War

Traditionalist reasoning Communist ideology, Soviet's need for expansion, and Stalin's leadership that needed an enemy to justify his dictatorship

Traditionalist timeframe Late 40s -50s

Historical influences of the traditionalist approach Written during the start of the cold war, the Red Scare, & writings based off US diplomat's views

Marx Believed there's different world history designed by class struggle. The working class would take over the middle class and switch to communism

Leninism A revolution is needed led by a political party to overthrow capitalism

Revisionist Approach - New left

• Americans were primarily responsible for the Cold War

Revisionist reasoning US capitalist desire for markets (wanted an open door policy in Europe), atomic diplomacy; US aggression, and 'Pragmatic' Stalin; he's an effective/rational leader

Revisionist timeframe Mid 60s - Mid 70s

Revisionist historical influences Vietnam war

Post-Revisionist approach Miscommunication and misunderstanding were responsible for the Cold War

Post-Revisionist reasoning External, structural influence (power vacuum in Europe), Internal influence (USSR security ideology, realist Stalin, post-war reconstruction, US self-determination, fear of communism, atomic bomb & economic strength), overestimation of other's strength

Post-revisionist timeframe Early 70s-End of Cold War

Post-revisionist historical influences End of Vietnam war, detente w/ USSR & China

Post-post-Revisionist Approach Stalin and Ideology were responsible for the Cold War

Post-post-Revisionist reasoning Stalin's policies, ideology, and contributions of individuals

Post-post-Revisionist timeframe Post Cold-War

Post-post-Revisionist historical influences Written with access to Soviet archives

Summary of the Traditional Approach The benign, reactive US to the USSR's aggressive foreign policy & their need for communist & border expansion. Focuses on ideology that USSR always will try to expand

Summary of Revisionist Approach The "New Left" Approach. The US view after 50s that calls out US aggressiveness & their want to expand capitalism. Selfish & foreign policy focused on 'dollar diplomacy'. Stalin was pragmatic & reactive to the US

Summary of Post-Revisionist Approach Places blame on both sides for the start of the Cold War. No blame on specific individuals, just the country systems. Actions were based on misunderstanding/miscommunication