Final answer:
The fear of communism in the West on a military level stemmed from the Soviet Union's significant military power, control over Eastern European governments, and ability to produce military hardware. Centralized government power and ideological differences during the Cold War also played a role in the fear of communism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Communism was feared in the West on a military level due to several reasons. First, the Soviet Union had significant military power and controlled governments in Eastern European countries. They also had the ability to produce military hardware at a fast rate and had strong athletes and scientists. This made them a formidable force in terms of conventional military intervention.
Furthermore, communism required a centralized government power, which many authoritarian governments in Eastern Europe were not willing to relinquish. This led to fears of counterrevolutions and civil wars. However, most Communist leaders allowed free elections instead.
Additionally, the ideological differences between the Soviet Union and the United States during the Cold War led to conflicts around the globe, resulting in millions of deaths. The stockpiling of nuclear weapons further heightened tensions and the fear of all-out war.