Date of Award

5-17-2001

Document Type

Research Paper

First Advisor

Laura M. McEnaney

Abstract

This project examines the Cold War’s identity and origin, including the perceptions of American policy makers and their effect on policies. This study works to prove the vague and contradictory perceptions of policy makers were powerful and largely the source and cause of the Cold War. This approach is completed in two ways: identifying the most important ideas expressed and held by policy makers and also by giving their thoughts and opinions historical context, showing their political impact. The second method is by showing how American perceptions of the Soviet Union influence diplomatic relations with that country. This study also uses a wide variety of secondary sources to provide historical perspectives which includes documents from the state department compiled in the Foreign Relations of the United States volumes. There are a few limitations which includes whether true emotions were reflected in documents and that these documents are primarily American. The first section of this project defines the Cold War while the second section details the beginnings and origin of the war. The third section are the perceptions of american policy makers at the start of the war while the fourth and final section offers a conclusion.

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