Final answer:
Both the United States and the Soviet Union share blame for the Cold War due to their actions and decisions that contributed to the intensification of the conflict. The United States had a policy of containment and actively tried to prevent the spread of communism, while the Soviet Union pursued expansionist policies and attempted to spread communism. The ideological differences and competition for global dominance between the two superpowers fueled the conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
Throughout the course of the Cold War, both the United States and the Soviet Union played significant roles in creating tensions and escalating the conflict. However, it is difficult to attribute the blame solely to one side. Both sides had their own agendas and made decisions that contributed to the intensification of the Cold War.
The United States can be seen as having more responsibility for starting the Cold War due to its policy of containment and its active efforts to prevent the spread of communism. This can be seen in actions such as the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, and the formation of military alliances like NATO. These actions were perceived as acts of aggression by the Soviet Union.
On the other hand, the Soviet Union also bears responsibility for the Cold War. Its expansionist policies and attempts to spread communism to other nations created tensions and provoked the United States and its allies. The division of Europe through the Iron Curtain and the Soviet intervention in Eastern Europe are examples of Soviet actions that fueled the conflict.
Therefore, both the United States and the Soviet Union share blame for the Cold War. The ideological differences and the competition for global dominance between the two superpowers led to a series of actions and reactions that escalated the conflict.