So how do you feel about the Cold War? Are you with the traditionalists, the people who believed that the USA was the defender of democracy, on the defensive against the Soviets? That they bore none of the blame for the Cold War.
Or on the Revisionist Camp, that the US was not totally devoid of blame. That the US was hypocritical, with double standards in its treatment of countries.
Or with the Post-Revisionist. That an American Empire (NATO) existed, created via invitation. That Stalin was largely an opportunist, with no plan of an actual expansion, his foreign policies derived for the Soviet Union's security.
So which side are you on? Personally I'm on the Post-Revisionist camp, with some Revisionist views.
I think you didn't understand what I just said. I'm not trying to blow your arguments to bits... I just want to express another point of view. Also, I agree that Stalin never wanted an open war with the USA and did not take control over these countries to use them as bases to launch operations against the US: his goal was only to increase his sphere of influence. The USA had the same aim (increase their sphere of influence): that's why they set up the Marshall plan ( see Truman's doctrin, march 1947)
I just want to point out that NATO was created on the 4th of April 1949, well after the two blocs had been set up.
I think you didn't understand what I just said. I'm not trying to blow your arguments to bits... I just want to express another point of view. Also, I agree that Stalin never wanted an open war with the USA and did not take control over these countries to use them as bases to launch operations against the US: his goal was only to increase his sphere of influence. The USA had the same aim (increase their sphere of influence): that's why they set up the Marshall plan ( see Truman's doctrin, march 1947) I just want to point out that NATO was created on the 4th of April 1949, well after the two blocs had been set up.
