This paper explains that the basis for the Cold War began even before World War II; after the war, the balance of power shifted
from the crippled countries of Britain, France, and Germany, the United States and Russia emerged as the greatest powers, who were already
economic and political opponents. The author points out that the two powers had little reason to cooperate; America viewed Russia as
ungrateful for American military and economic aid and had a history of unfriendliness to Russia dating back to its support of attempts to overthrow the new Bolshevik regime earlier that century. The Soviet Union was very insular and concentrated upon Soviet security. The paper relates that, in addition to their economic tensions, the United States and the Soviet Union had irreconcilable ideologies, which pushed them towards war; America believed in the idealistic universalism that American values of liberty and constitutionalism have worldwide applicability.