History homework

Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe was massive factor that increased

tensions between the superpowers. Over twenty million Russians died during
the Second World War, so Stalin to make sure that Russia could never be
invaded again. This large and fast expansion of the USSR scared the USA and
tensions grew due to the fear of further expansion west towards America by
the USSR. It caused conflict between the two superpowers because of their
ideological differences of what policy is the best: communism or capitalism.

Another factor that increased tensions between the superpowers was the
Marshall plan. This was set up in order to control the spread of communism.
The Marshall Plan was a support program funded by the United States that
gave money to poor countries in order to rebuild their economy. They did not
give money to the Soviet Union. This was to ensure that all that countries
would be dependent on the USA and that they would not have to resort to
communism. It increased tension massively by showing the two countries that
either could be attacked at any time, and it also showed that the USA would
stop its attempt at eradicating communism.

Another factor that increased tensions between the superpowers was the
Berlin Blockade. The Berlin Blockade was an attempt by Stalin to drive out the
west from berlin by blocking all communications to the west and closing all
railways so that no supplies could be sent. This definitely escalated the
tensions. However rather than ignoring the barriers and driving through
Eastern Germany, which would be an act of war, Truman sent supplies through
the air. USA flew many resources into West Berlin so that people would be
convinced that capitalism was better than communist policy.

In conclusion I believe that the expansion of Russia was the main and was the
biggest factor that increased the tensions between the superpowers. It had a
massive impact, it scared the west and forced the USA to tackle the threat of
communism head on. The Marshall plan was simply the little nudge that sent
Russia and America in to the cold war. And the berlin blockade was just a
standoff between the superpowers and had no major influence in the tensions
between the west and the east.