Question

Discuss to what extent you agree with the following statement:

There can be no doubt that Stalin was a ruthless dictator, but between 1945 and 1947 his goals were essentially defensive. President Harry Truman and many of his advisors exaggerated the extent to which the Soviet Union had expansionist goals at that time.

Give educated reasons in a two paragraph response. Thanks. :)

Answer 1

@iGreen Care to give your opinion, it does not have to be two paragraphs, just your thoughts and reasons would help a lot!

Answer 2

Well Stalin did kill around 34-49 million people.

Answer 3

Okay, so that confirms the ruthless statement. Now what about the essentially defensive statement, between 45-47, what do you think about that

Answer 4

Feel free to join in @Conqueror

Answer 5

Well 1945-1947 is after WWII..

Answer 6

Hold on I'm researching..

Answer 7

Yeah, take your time!

Answer 8

Then Russia was engaged in the Cold War with the United States. The Cold War started in 1947.

Answer 9

So events after 1947 could be considered aggressive, because they wanted to provide communism power. So what happen in the transition period between WW2 and the Cold War would make him act defensive in his goals

Answer 10

Sort of..

Answer 11

The United States did not want communist governments, because that is kind of why WWII started, from Germany. So they fought wars alongside people like South Korea, and Russia fought beside people who wanted communist government, like North Korea.

Answer 12

Okay, Im unsure what goals Russia had in that transition period that are considered defensive, what is that part of the question referring to

Answer 13

I don't agree that Russia was being defensive at all..it DOES say 'to what extent do you agree with the following statement'.

I guess you could just say you don't believe that Russia was being defensive.

Answer 14

Well, after both of thew world wars, Russia sustained a lot of damage. After WW2, Russia marched into boarding countries to make a `buffer zone` to be protected from further invasions. So I guess coming from their point of view, that was being defensive. But from USA`s point of view, they were offensive. Do you think that might be what they are talking about

Answer 15

Yeah, it does.

Answer 16

So that sounds defensive and it was directly after WWII.

Answer 17

Awesome. Thanks for all your help, it is always very appreciated!

Answer 18

Please close this question if you no longer need help :)