Historical Conflicts: Cold War

The origins of the Cold War are complex and multifaceted, with various factors contributing to the tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. Here's an overview supported by reputable sources:

1. Post-World War II Division of Europe: The division of Europe into Western and Eastern spheres of influence following World War II set the stage for Cold War tensions. The Soviet Union established communist governments in Eastern European countries it liberated from Nazi occupation, while the Western Allies supported democratic governments in Western Europe. This division created a geopolitical fault line that intensified East-West rivalry. (Source: Gaddis, John Lewis. "The Cold War: A New History." Penguin Books, 2006.)

2. Ideological Differences: The ideological gulf between capitalism and communism fueled mistrust and hostility between the United States and the Soviet Union. Each side viewed the other's ideology as a threat to its own way of life, leading to a deep-seated suspicion that permeated their interactions. (Source: Westad, Odd Arne. "The Global Cold War: Third World Interventions and the Making of Our Times." Cambridge University Press, 2007.)

3. Disagreements over Germany: The division of Germany into East and West after World War II became a focal point of East-West rivalry. The Soviet Union established a communist government in East Germany, while the Western Allies supported the development of a democratic government in West Germany. The Berlin Blockade of 1948-1949 and subsequent Berlin Airlift heightened tensions and underscored the divided nature of Europe. (Source: LaFeber, Walter. "America, Russia, and the Cold War, 1945-1992." McGraw-Hill, 2002.)

4. Strategic Distrust: Mutual suspicion and fear of each other's intentions characterized relations between the United States and the Soviet Union. Both sides perceived the other as seeking to expand its influence and control, leading to a buildup of military capabilities and a constant state of alertness. (Source: Gaddis, John Lewis. "Strategies of Containment: A Critical Appraisal of American National Security Policy during the Cold War." Oxford University Press, 2005.)

5. Breakdown of wartime alliance: Despite their cooperation during World War II against Nazi Germany, tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union emerged even before the war ended. The Yalta and Potsdam conferences, where Allied leaders discussed the post-war order, revealed fundamental differences in their visions for the future, contributing to the breakdown of the wartime alliance. (Source: Reynolds, David. "From World War to Cold War: Churchill, Roosevelt, and the International History of the 1940s." Oxford University Press, 2006.)

These factors, among others, contributed to the onset of the Cold War, which persisted for much of the latter half of the 20th century and profoundly influenced global politics and security.