The Cold War brought about changes to the presidency of the United States. As these suspicions mounted and the gulf widened between the two superpowers, the presidency felt the tentacles of the emerging conflict. However, it did so in a manner that aroused Soviet suspicions about the intentions of its two allies. Agreements were signed, including the reassurance that Great Britain would remain a world power after the war, and also providing for maximum secrecy in regards to atomic weapons. From the moment it became a reality, FDR agreed to share its secrets with the British and no one else except by mutual consent. The final agenda separating the former allies was the atomic bomb. Ultimately, the Soviets never received any monetary assistance. Fearing a return to recession and misuse of funds, Congress placed drastic limits on lend-lease support pointing out that requests for loans after the war would meet deep uncertainty. As the war ended, enthusiasm turned to skepticism when American diplomats perceived a toughening of Soviet policy. From the Soviet Union, Stalin was eagerly persuaded by American interests to petition for a loan ranging from $1 billion in 1943 to $10 billion in 1945. The issue of European economic reconstruction was entirely in the hands of the Americans, who possessed the strongest economy during and after the conflict. A strong German industry they argued would be a key to postwar commerce and trade releasing the United States from supporting the German economy for an extended period. American business interests and policy makers strangely agreed, but for different reasons. The Soviets argued that a pastoral Germany would be unable to make war reparations.
In Germany's case, the Soviets and Americans acknowledged the permanent destruction of the German industrial capability as a way to prevent a third conflict, but the plan failed. However, FDR recognized Poland as an integral part of the Soviet's sphere of influence, but he hoped Stalin would give concessions to appear as if the Atlantic Charter was being implemented.
The same was said for Poland and Germany. Roosevelt (FDR) was prepared to live with this notion, widespread political opposition existed in Washington as exemplified by Congressman John Dingell's statement in August 1943, "We Americans are not sacrificing, fighting, and dying to make permanent and more powerful the communistic government of Russia and to make Joseph Stalin a dictator over the liberated countries of Europe." (1) On the issue of what type of government should rule Eastern Europe, obviously a democratically elected administration was the American expectation. The Soviet's sphere originally centered around their borders, while the United States' centered around Western Europe.Įven though Franklin D. Some issues focused on the notion of "sphere of influence". Some historians believed that five major issues separated the two future adversaries: the impending government of Eastern European countries, Poland, economic reconstruction, Germany's future, and the atomic bomb. As World War II came to a close with imminent allied victory, differences surfaced between the Americans and the Soviets. When Russia was invaded by the Nazis, those concerns were temporarily set aside as the Soviet Union became an ally. Suspicion and apprehension of the Soviet Union remained constant throughout the twenties and thirties intensifying with Josef Stalin's brutal regime. The origins of the Cold War can be traced to the late 1910's when America experienced the Red Scare. The Cold War was to last almost to the fall of the Iron Curtain and the death of the Soviet Union. By the end of the 1950's, dissent slowly increased reaching a climax by the late 1960's. The Cold War shaped American foreign policy and political ideology, impacted the domestic economy and the presidency, and affected the personal lives of Americans creating a climate of expected conformity and normalcy. One such event, perhaps one of the most important of the twentieth century, no longer exercises relevancy in the daily lives of many- the Cold War. As the passage of time slowly diminishes important events, it is history that must gather all the facts and emotions and expose it to future generations.