Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 6:11 am Post subject: Questions to go with the Cold War Reading/Activity
Please post answers to (and discuss) the following questions:
1. People often say "Politics make strange bedfellows." One could also say, "Wars make strange bedfellows." In what respects were the US and the Soviet Union "strange bedfellows" during WW2?
2. What were the primary objectives shaping U.S. strategy during WW2? Did any of those objectives conflict with Soviet objectives? Which ones? Why?
3. What does the cartoon on page 4 suggest about the relations among the Big Three during the War? Are there other ways of interpreting these relationships?
It is not on page 4 it is on page 5...for those of you who might wonder..
Last edited by Jaehyouk on Sun Jun 06, 2010 6:57 am; edited 1 time in total
1. Strange bedfellow...I think this expression describes the relationship between U.S and Soviet really well. They became wartime allies when Nazi declared war on U.S. Although they were tied together under the name of "Allience" both of them did not trust each other. Soviet often got suspicious whenever Roosevelt makes a move and got feared when U.S announce inauguration of U.N. Also U.S and Soviet's citizens hated each others's government policies. and when Truman was a senator he said: "If we see that Germany is winning the war we ought to help Russians and if Russia is winning we ought to help Germany and in that way let them kill as many as possible." and this weird relationship ends after the collapse of the Japanese Empire by U.S terminating aid.
2. I think U.S's primary goal was making the country stronger and balancing out the power of the other countries. By helping weaker ones (Read Truman's quote about Geman and Russia) U.S was able to even out the power of the countries. And since most of the battle was happening in the Europe U.S could save their citizens from the danger and also could get actively involved in the war. So definately U.S accomplished those goals.
3. On page 5 (on H.W it said its on p.4 but it is actually on p.5) I could see the cartoon of big three (Churchil, Roosevelt, Stalin) deciding the fates of the world. As you can see the person standing out of the conversation is Hitler. Hitler is standing gravely in the cartoon, because he knows that he is an obstacle of the big three and he is eventually going to die.
1. I think the US and Soviet Union were extremely strange "Bedfellows." First of all the difference between types of government really seems odd because both the Us hate Communism and the Soviets hate capitalism. Also The soviets originally signed on with Germany and the fact that the US decided to join up with them when they were losing (Good quote by the way Jaehyouk) is extremely odd to me. Also being alligned with the british who also hate the soviets makes the relationship even odder, why would they allign with someone they both hate? Of course the "Enemy of my enemy is my friend" so since they all hated Germany they had to help eachother in some way or another to defeat a common enemy.
2. I think the US want to defeat Japan at most because of the Bombing of Pearl harbor. In other words, in order to do this they had to help out The british and the Russians in order to get them against Japan. When Japan declared war against the US so did Germany so they had to fight Germany too anyways. (Again "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" IE germany and Japan against the US)So in order to beat Japan they needed the british and the soviets, who would only join if the Nazis were taken down. So that helped to shape the US's strategy in going after Germany first. Also they wanted to attack from all sides so they had to start with N. Africa and then Italy and eventually France, while the soviets attacked from the west. It was the best way to collapse Germany from all sides.
3. The moon of the Big Three almost makes it look like an argument between them. They look like they are having trouble deciding what needs to happen But Like Jaehyouk said Hitler is standing outside. He is not allowed in. His fate is sealed as the outsider and the one opposing them.
Zack I loved that you pointed out the Soviet and United States differences. You did a great job at showing why they are strange bedfellows (a term I find to be extreemly akward). But they were in wars that effected them each gravely. For one the soviet union was living in between the war of Germany and Japan. They were definetly closer than the US. Thier location made oppurtunites and devestations in the battels. On a positive level the fight against Japan promised (by the US) would advance the union with a greater land mass, since the land is so close to home it would be convinient to obtain. However on a negative note being so close to the battle area ment that their land would be destroyed as well. I believe that the distruction of their land was the toughest parts of ther participation in the war. In hope to use their "bedfellows" opportunites such as the lease and lend policy as a way to reconstruct the land...strange politics.
It seemed as though the US just wanted to get even and didn't care how it was done. (not so smart military tactic). Prime example: the allied blow through the Balkans page three. Although there was a set list of why US war tactics should be changed for the benifit of everyone they were ignored.
I think that the cartoon on page5 is a tricky one. At first glance I saw it as Hitler being the only one on Earth looking at the moon large but as we know in a distance (were rosovelt n churchill n saltin are) That could mean that Hitler is the only one havina real effect on the world actually being there watchingeverything that they are doing, while they just focus on the world( everyone knows that you can't look at the big picture you have to take it in fractions after you understand the main concept).
1. The U.S. and the Soviet Union were strange bedfellows during WW2 because they never fully trusted one another. Although they were allies in the war, they had a deep rivalry, tension, and a level of mistrust for the other. The U.S. did not like the Soviet Union since 1917 when the communists came to power. The Soviets distrusted the US because, “ As communists, they considered conflict with the world’s most prosperous capitalist nation inevitable.” (4) I’m assuming they saw the U.S. embodying some of the traits of a capatlist nation.
2. The primary objectives of the U.S. were to defeat Germany and Japan. An objective that U.S. wanted that conflicted with the Soviet’s interests was the formation of the United Nations. The U.S. wanted to create the UN help solve future threats of the world and enforce peace terms. The Soviets feared that the United Nations “would be controlled by capitalist, and potentially hostile, states.” (5) The soviets also feared the establishment of the World Bank, the post-war divide of Germany, and the second front in western France for many of the same reasons as above.
3. The cartoon on page 4 suggests that the big three are debating what to do after WW2 and the amount of power they have on the world. They look a bit frustrated and angry. Also there are thee men on the moon but only two of them are close together and one of those two has his hand on the others solider. It looks like those two have different opinions than the third person. There is a possibility that there is a big disagreement and it’s two vs. one.
The United States and Soviet Union were considered to be “strange bedfellows” during WW2 because they were such complete opposites. Like the point Zach brought up, the U.S and the Soviet Union did not believe in each other governments. The US did not believe in communism and the Soviet Union did not believe in capitalism. “Most Americans remained wary of helping Moscow” (2) Most Americans did not trust the Soviet Union “since the communists had come to power in 1917” (2)
The primary objectives that the United States had during WW2 was, to defeat Germany and Japan, but also to create peace again in the world. I agree with everyone’s posts above. The United States wanted revenge on Japan but they were also looking to have the country and rest of the world move forward. Like in our seminars, we seek to move the group forward.
The Big Three depicts an image of Churchil, Roosevelt, Stalin in a large moon, and Hitler outside and under it. The picture is showing everyone gathering against Hitler, and Hitler knows that what he is going to face will not be easy, and it will be a “big” bump in his road of crazyness.
1. I agree with what has already been said about this-- it is very much the idea of my enemy's enemy is my friend. Aside from having Germany as a common enemy, the US and the Soviet Union don't seem to know very much about each other and each others goals, which led to a lot of suspicion on both ends. As countries, they had very different ideas about politics, and neither was particularly accepting of the other's ideas. They also seemed to keep a lot of things secret from each other (such as the development of the atom bomb), sometimes for the sake of keeping up diplomatic relations.
2. Our objectives were primarily to end conflict in Japan and Germany and lose as few people as possible. This conflicted with the Soviet Union's requests for the allies to invade western europe to help them. It seems as though we were more focused on getting out of the war unharmed, while the Soviet Union was more interested in winning and taking over other land. (That being said, I don't think that the Soviet Union was entirely at fault for the Cold War. We caused a lot of problems too)
3. I think that this picture is meant to represent that the allies' victory in this war seemed sort of inevitable. Hitler is standing outside of their conversation, and it seems like he does not have any say in the outcome of the war, or even his life. However, it could also be interpreted the other way though-- that Hitler is able to see the big picture, and the Big Three only talked about it.
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 5:39 am Post subject: Eli 6/5
1. Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin might go down in history as the strangest bedfellows ever. Putting those three together would seem like an unlikely alliance, to say the least. Some would call it an unholy alliance. Regardless, it remained mostly intact through the war, as outside circumstances brought these three diplomats together. Without each other, they would have little chance of survival against Hitler's war machine. But they soon found that their views were at odds. This escalated into diplomatic tensions between America and the USSR.
2. World War II may have been the first instance where America intervened overseas, in a fight for freedom and democracy. The US needed to defend itself and its allies from the Axis of Evil. Russia, at one point, was part of a hasty alliance with the Axis. Hitler soon broke their nonaggression pact and invaded Russia. This surprise backstabbing prompted Joseph Stalin to switch sides in the war, even though it meant being allies with those Capitalist Dogs. America too, was not exactly thrilled to be teammates with a dictator.
To put it simply, Russian ideals contrasted less sharply with the Allies than the Axis, and that's how the Big Three stuck together through the war. However, when Germany and Japan were defeated, the differences in opinion, policy, and governance really started to emerge between Russia and the other Allies.
3. The cartoon depicts the Big Three at one of their conferences, planning their invasion of Berlin, as Hitler writhes in nervous anticipation, and fear. These three men and their nations had stopped Hitler's grand expansion, and now threatened his capital. As people have said earlier, they could be arguing, not with raised voices, but with hidden agendas and secret plans. This is because the Big Three was a haphazard alliance, formed "not by conscious choice, but under the compulsion of their enemies." (6).
1). The two Allies were very strange "bedfellows'' because of their growing, and somewhat unspoken, differences. Also, they suspected each other on many war tactics and land divisions. The Soviet Union suspected that the U.S.'s war tactics in WWI were corrupt and accused the Americans of "assisting the Russian "White" armies." The differences in government between the two brought up tension, and while the Soviet Union feared being ruled by a bunch of capitalist states, America was strongly opposed to their government, many of their morals directly going against the U.S. Bill of Rights and whatnot.
2). The U.S's main objectives were to defeat Germany and Japan in defense of their territory. They seemed most concerned with ending the conflicts fast, and not having too many casualties. This was not one of the Red Armies main concerns. They felt very strongly the need to have possession over more land, and to control Germany and most Poland. They were more supportive of war tactics that both FDR and Churchill found dangerous and also opposed their main interests.
3). The cartoon on page five suggests that the BIG THREE were keen on keeping Hitler at bay, and also that they had much of the world at their disposal, seeing as they are in it. They are also up in the air, showing that they have an advantage over Hitler. Since he is eavesdropping, it seems like Hitler is aware of what is going on and what will happen in the near future, but there isn't much he can do about it. The other way of interpreting this relationship is that they BIG THREE were distant from things, and Hitler was more grounded. Not to say he was, but that is another way of interpreting this cartoon. I'm interested in knowing the actual intention behind this cartoon, and if anyone has any better way of explaining it to me and what "The Fates Decide" might mean other than the BIG THREE having power over Hitler, let me know.
SO what immediately comes to mind is " an enemy of an enemy is a friend"
The remind me of bad room mates. they dont agree on policies or practice, but they have to live together, and in this case work together because without the other the nazis might win, or take one if them down with them. yes the U.S and the S.U kept secrets from each other i.e ( the atomic bomb) but they knew they needed each other.
The comic on page 5 ( ps mine is stapled all crazy like) sugest that FDR and churchill had a better relationship with each other than stalin. in the comic the two are talking directly to each other, and stalin is like the odd man out. Hitler knows he is beat. the tightly griped paper in his hand says that he wont go down without a fight though. this cartoon almost creates sympathy for hitler, because it almost makes the big three look like the dark faceless beings that now are discussing what to do with the world.
1. The US and the Soviet Unions can easily be seen as “strange bedfellows” because of their strong suspicion and distrust in each other. The US is incredibly reluctant to help the Soviet Union and the Soviets are incredibly suspicious of the US. Both question each other’s morals because of their history prior to their alliance.
2. America intervenes relatively late in the war in Europe, they come just to end it and don’t loose nearly as much or many people as the others fighting. They are working to defend their allies because there is not much threat to America itself. Except for the bombing of peal harbor. America is simple terms seems to overcompensate for that incident with the dropping of 2 atomic bombs.
3. The cartoon shows Hitler as almost frailer and out of power, not in control of his fate. The big 3 are clearly deciding his fate but having a difficult time with it. They are situated in a globe and who seem to be Roosevelt and Churchill seem to be talking m ore closely than Stalin.
I would like use the expression, ‘Oil and Water’ when I describe the relationship between US and the Soviet Union. Due to the different ideologies, they seemed never to get along with each other before WW2. Basically, US held capitalism, but the Soviet Union held communism. From the reading, it says ‘the Soviet regime’s official atheism and abolition of private property violated two fundamental American values.’ Germany invading countries in order to obtain the world’s biggest power gave the inevitable alliance between them. To Americans, the join of USA in the alliance with the Soviet Union had always been an issue during and after the wartime. Adding to Jaehyouk’s quote, I am quoting the view of the Soviet Union: ‘Soviet leaders were likewise deeply suspicious of the United States. As communists, they considered conflict with the world’s most prosperous capitalist nation inevitable.’
The primary objective of the U.S. was to prevent Germany from increasing the power of controlling other countries. Simply it wanted no country to extending one’s control. From the reading it says, ‘If we see that Germany is winning the war we ought to help Russians and if Russia is winning we ought to help Germany and in that way let them kill as many as possible.’ On the other hand, the Soviet Union’s goal was to stop Germany invading to Poland as well as Russia. In fact, one of the objectives of the US conflicted with Soviet objectives. While the Soviet Union tried to extend its influence which is communism by using this war, US disliked its policy.
I think the picture on page 5 shows three big brothers and the leader of Japan. After the defeat of Germany, only Japan was left alone. And the phrase under the picture, ‘the fates decide’ implies the disastrous fate of Japan. It indicates the launch of Atomic Bombs.
I can say that war makes the strange bedfellows between US and Soviet Union(SU) because they didn't trust each othe, for example, when US supplied the SU it was delayed due to Germany's interfere such as U boat attack. Due to of this happening SU couldn't believe the US. Also, i think that their different ideologies made them distrust each other. US has democracy and Capitalism, but SU has Communism, so they couldn't get used to each other. These different ideologies lead the Cold War.
My primary objectives shaping U.S. strategy during WW2 was to defeat the Germany and Japan. US need to defeat them in order to acheive their goal which was 'peace.' Because of the especially Germany many countries should suffered, got damaged, ans wasted their money include US. The objectives which conflict with Soviet objectives were United Nation(UN). The SU was afraid about UN because they worried about UN was lead by Capitalism. In UN, there are Great Britain, US, SU, China, and France.) Most of the countries were not communism except SU. Naturally, SU worried about UN could be disadvantage for SU. I am not sure but i think SU wanted to abolish the UN system for theire benefit.
In the cartoon, there are Hilteler, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin; however, only Hilter was not in the moon? or Earth. It means that only Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt cooperated among them not Hitler. Also, it shows that the three people who are in Earth almost winning the war becasue Hitler is at outside of the Earth. It shows that disadvanage of Hitler of the war.
In any respect to see the US and the Soviet Union, and to difine their relationship during WW2 has no expression that can be better than "strange bedfellows." I like what Zach has already pointed out, the differences that the US and the Soviet Union was. There positions on the world were totally conflicted and both of them could not stand with each others' perpective, but their common enemy brought them together. Nice saying, " the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
I agree with mswartz, the one US's object that conflicted with Soviet Union is the the formation of UN which the SU afraided that it would be controlled by the capitalism, and the other objects that US wanted seems has no comflict with SU( defeat Japan and Germany.)
I think the cartoon on page five shows the relation of the three heads of Allied upon the world. The intimate relation between Roosevelt and Churchill which seems exclude Stalin standing there and try to figure out their conversation. And Hiltler is the one standing in front of that moon- like earth, looking down, and thinking the strategy by himselg for againsting the three challengingly figure that he is facing.
1. the US and Soviets hate each other. the soviets had major fear and distrust of the US, and visa versa.
2. our interests were not oriented towards their interests. if Russia could keep Germany's interest all the better for us. sucks for them but what can you do? until they send it back at us. we tried to contain Russia and keep them from going into other countries, at the end of the war.
3. Churchill and Roosevelt are having conversations and making decisions. Stalin is looming over trying to get in but is an outsider. Hitler is waiting for what the faits (the powerful) will declare.
The fact that they are sitting in a world says that they are deciding the fates of the world, and that the world is theirs to make all the decisions for.
overall its the big three making decisions; up close two and one.
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In any respect to see the US and the Soviet Union, and to difine their relationship during WW2 has no expression that can be better than "strange bedfellows." I like what Zach has already pointed out, the differences that the US and the Soviet Union was. There positions on the world were totally conflicted and both of them could not stand with each others' perpective, but their common enemy brought them together. Nice saying, " the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
