The Seeds of Conflict

1. Define "The West." Make sure you could identify several countries as examples.
"The West" is the name used to describe capitalist countries of western Europe and North America during the Cold War. Many countries who belong to "The West" were allies of the United States as well as members of NATO. Countries like Britain and France were considered western countries.
2. Explain the differences in the economic ideology between the West and the USSR.
Many followers of Karl Marx believed that there was an unfair divide in classes based on the idea of capitalism in the West. Because of private ownership of businesses, there seemed to be division of "rich factory workers" and "poorer working classes". The USSR (communists) believed that the way to fix this problem was by having factories, businessmen, and land taken over by the government. Therefore, goods would be distributed equally to everyone. Capitalism in the West disagreed believing that individuals have the freedom to own their own businesses and in turn control and receive their own profits.

3. Explain the differences in the political ideology between the West and the USSR.
The US considered themselves a "liberal democracy". This political system upheld important freedoms, such as those written in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. People had the right to vote for their own political figures, therefore having a say in politics. Communism believed that political parties were simply a result of different classes in society. Living in a communist community, political parties were unnecessary with no classes. The "Communist Party" was the one and only party. They didn't have rights that countries in the West had.

4. What was the Comintern (Communist International) and why did it concern the West.
The Comintern was an organization (1919) set up to facilitate differences between communists between groups all over the world. Its main goal was to further the cause of communism and support the collapse of capitalism. The Comintern convinced all communists groups around the world to attempt to undermine capitalism (even if it meant revolution). The group was a threat to the West.

5. What occurred during the Russian Civil War (1918-21) that solidified the opposition between the West and the Communists? (Be specific and use key details.)
The Russian Civil War was fought between members of The Bolshevik Red Army and the conservative forces in Russia known as "The Whites". The Whites did not want the establishment of Bolshevik rule and fought. They were supported by the allied governments of the USA, France, Britain and Japan. These allies also wanted to change Lenin's decision to pull Russia out of the World War I with Germany. When The Whites received the support of allies of The West, there was a solidified opposition between the West and Communists. The Bolshevik regime of Lenin won the Civil War; however it was proven through the United States' involvement that they would use military action against the communists when and if necessary.