An argument that has raged among historians for many years is who started the Cold War? Was it Truman's aggressive anti-communist and containment policies? Was it Churchill's Missouri speech that increased anti-soviet feeling in the US? Or was it the Soviets aggressive expansion combined with the leadership of Stalin that caused the Cold War? Stalin's numerous violations of the Yalta treaty combined with his personality caused the Cold War by triggering the US to implement a reactive containment policy.
Stalin's violations of the Yalta agreements in Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria were sterling symbols to the United States that Stalin and the Soviets were not ready or not willing to allow democracy in Western Europe. The United States began a reactive containment policy, championing the need for free democratic elections in Europe. Both super-powers wanted to shape Europe in their own image, but the Soviets aggressive policy struck the first blow.
Stalin sought to do what was best for Russia, disregarding whatever implications may have sent to the United States. Prior to World War II Stalin had been willing to engage with non-communist governments who recognized his regime in Russia; however, following Germany's betrayal of the non-aggression pact, Stalin would no longer rely on non-communist governments. Unlike the United States who wanted to rebuild democracy in Germany, Stalin and the Soviets main fear was a reemergence of a strong and united Germany. Stalin sought to crush Germany's ability to make war and surrounded Russia with satellite nations to create a buffer zone between Russia and the west. Stalin was also advised and convinced that the capitalists would resume internal conflict over colonies and trade and would no longer be a factor in his decision-making. The United States interpreted Stalin's actions in Western Europe as offense rather than defensive and the Cold War began because Stalin disregarded the United States in his policy.
The United States wanted a war no more than the Soviets, however it was the Soviets' proactive policy that forced the competition between the two giants to a head. Firstly, they violated the Yalta agreements on numerous accounts, then Stalin's policy became more concerned with crushing Germany's war machine and thereby sent all the wrong messages to the United States. The United States interpreted Soviet actions as threats and reacted to the stimuli likewise. Though both nations were looking out for their best interests, because Russia failed to accommodate the United States a power struggle for the world ensued which became the Cold War.
