America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive Test Prep

Revisionists interpret the Cold War as significantly influenced by the aggressive actions and ambitions of the United States. They contend that rather than acting defensively in response to Soviet threats, the U.S. sought to expand its own influence and power, aiming to create a global system that favored capitalism and liberal democratic values. This perspective emphasizes the role of American economic and ideological expansionism in exacerbating tensions, suggesting that the U.S.'s desire for a dominant international position led to confrontations with the Soviet Union.

Revisionist historians challenge more traditional narratives, which often portray the U.S. as reacting to Soviet aggression. Instead, they argue that America's actions were provocative and contributed to the Cold War's development. This view is grounded in a critical examination of U.S. foreign policy decisions, including interventions in various nations and support for regimes that aligned with American interests, regardless of their adherence to democratic principles. By framing the U.S. as an empire in the making, revisionists provide a lens through which to understand the complexities of the Cold War beyond a binary conflict between two opposing ideologies.