Discussion Questions based on the two poems:
1. What does Churchill claim that the Soviet Union wanted? (Doc A)
Answer: Churchill claims that the Soviet Union does not want war. Rather, he says they want “...indefinite expansion of their power and doctrines.” (Churchill). He mentions how they want increased control from Moscow and to expand the Soviet sphere of influence.
2. What does Truman mean when he claims, “Should we fail to aid Greece and Turkey in this fateful hour, the effect will be far-reaching to the West as well as to the East”? (Doc B)
Answer: When Truman claims that failing to assist Greece and Turkey will have far-reaching effects, he means that the stability of the region will deteriorate. Truman suggests that for the region to remain stable and free, the United States should intervene. “One of the primary objectives of the foreign policy of the United States is the creation of conditions in which we and other nations will be able to work out a way of life free from coercion.“ (Truman).
3.How does Novikov describe the United States? What evidence does he use to support his description? (Doc C)
Answer: Novikov claims that the United States sees itself as a world leader, seeking to maintain power through weakening allies and spreading influence. He claims American leaders wanted to “...avoid direct participation in the war…” (Novikov) and only get involved when it was most convenient.
4. What is Wallace’s main argument? (Doc D)
Answer: Wallace’s main argument is that the United States could have acted differently after World War II. He suggests that the expansion of military control and spread of American weaponry could be detrimental to future peace opportunities. “I cannot but feel that these actions must make it look to the rest of the world as if we were only paying lip service to peace at the conference table.” (Wallace)
5. Based on evidence from the provided sources and material in this week's lesson address the following question: Who was primarily responsible for the Cold War - the United States or the Soviet Union? And why?
Answer: The Soviet Union seems primarily responsible for the Cold War due to accusations of deception regarding World War II. The United States was attacked first, rather than the claim that the USA only entered when it was most convenient.