The Pre-Cold War Relationship Between the USA and USSR: A Complex Dance of Ideology and Power

The relations between the United States and the Soviet Union before the Cold War were complex and evolved significantly over time. Here’s a brief overview of how these relations developed from the early 20th century to the eve of the Cold War.

Early Relations (1917-1941)

World War I and the Bolshevik Revolution (1917): The U.S. initially viewed the Bolshevik Revolution with suspicion, fearing the establishment of a communist government in Russia. This wariness led to a lack of recognition for the Soviet government until 1933, reflecting a broader reluctance to engage with communist regimes.

Intervention in the Russian Civil War (1918-1920)

The U.S. sent troops to support anti-Bolshevik forces, known as the White Army, during the Russian Civil War, alongside other Allied nations. This intervention was unsuccessful and fuelled Soviet distrust towards the U.S.

Diplomatic Recognition (1933)

In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized the Soviet Union, hoping to improve trade relations and counter the rising influence of Japan in the Pacific.

Growing Tensions (1939-1941)

World War II: The U.S. and the Soviet Union became unlikely allies against Nazi Germany after Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. Despite this alliance, deep-seated ideological differences persisted, and mutual distrust remained.

Post-War Planning

Even during the war, discussions about the post-war order began to surface. Significant disagreements emerged over the future of Eastern Europe and Germany, setting the stage for the Cold War that would follow.

During this period, the Soviet Union filled Eastern European nations like Poland and Czechoslovakia with Soviet-aligned agents and politicians through various means, often illegal and unethical. The West underestimated the capabilities and skills of these agents, leading to growing concerns about Soviet domination of Europe.

The Prelude to the Cold War

The Soviets used a variety of methods, including espionage and influence campaigns, to exert their sphere of influence in Eastern Europe. The West viewed these actions with distrust, fearing the spread of communism and the potential loss of power and influence.

One of the most significant turning points was the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, which marked the beginning of the Cold War. Initially, it was just fences and landmines, but it quickly evolved into a symbol of the ideological divide between capitalism and communism.

The Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall (1961-1989): This symbolically delineated the political and ideological divide between the West and the East during the Cold War. It was a concrete manifestation of the mistrust and conflict that had been building for years.

Conclusion

Before the official start of the Cold War after World War II, U.S.-Soviet relations were characterized by a mix of hostility, cautious engagement, and pragmatic alliances against common enemies. The ideological divide between capitalism and communism, combined with events during and after World War II, set the stage for the Cold War that followed.