“Fear, rather than aggression, was the main cause of superpower rivalry between 1943 and 1949.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that fear, rather than aggression, was the main cause of superpower rivalry between 1943 and 1949. Causes may predate the timeframe, but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. There may be discussion of Stalin’s fear of a reunited, revived Germany, as being partly responsible for the Berlin Blockade. Russian fears of US expansion into Europe were also heightened by the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan. US fears may have been stoked by Kennan’s Long Telegram, which greatly influenced American diplomacy. Russian actions in Eastern Europe, which were arguably in contravention of promises made at Yalta, were regarded by the US as aggressive; however, the USSR was shattered by war, and arguably more motivated by fear. There may be discussion of the impact of the US lead in nuclear weaponry and the failure of the Baruch Plan. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that fear, rather than aggression, was the main cause of superpower rivalry between 1943 and 1949. This was a popular question with most responses demonstrating some relevant knowledge of the origins of the Cold War during the timeframe indicated. In several responses, there was excellent analysis of the gradual disintegration of the wartime alliance and the emergence of rivalry between the USA and the USSR. References to the wartime conferences were used effectively with relevant linkage to the question. Most responses included some mention of the policy of containment adopted by the US and the creation of buffer states through the use of 'salami' tactics by the USSR. The majority of responses included some reference to NATO as an end point. Weaker responses ignored the timeframe in the question and went on to narrate events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis.