U.S. Aims Versus Soviet Aims in Europe
The United States wanted to . . .
• Create a new world order in which all nations had the right of self-determination
• Gain access to raw materials and markets for its industries
• Rebuild European governments to ensure stability and to create new markets for American goods
• Reunite Germany, believing that Europe would be more secure if Germany were productive
The Soviets wanted to . . .
• Encourage communism in other countries as part of the worldwide struggle between workers and the wealthy
• Rebuild its war-ravaged economy using Eastern Europe's industrial equipment and raw materials
• Control Eastern Europe to balance U.S. influence in Western Europe
• Keep Germany divided and weak so that it would never again threaten the Soviet Union
SKILLBUILDER Interpreting Charts
1. Which aims involved economic growth of the United States?
2. Which Soviet aims involved self-protection?