America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Test Prep

The orthodox explanation for initiating the Cold War posits that Soviet expansion and aggression played a pivotal role in escalating tensions between the East and West. This perspective suggests that the Soviet Union, post-World War II, sought to expand its influence into Eastern Europe and beyond, promoting communist ideologies and establishing satellite states. Historians who subscribe to this viewpoint argue that the Soviet actions, such as the establishment of communist governments in Eastern Europe and aggressive posturing towards Western nations, fueled fears in the United States and its allies. These actions were perceived as a direct threat to the liberal democratic values and capitalist economies championed by the West, prompting the U.S. to adopt a policy of containment to prevent further Soviet expansion.

The following options do not align with this orthodox view. Economic expansionism by the U.S. is often noted, but it is seen more as a response to Soviet actions rather than the catalyst for the Cold War. The idea of neutrality between the two powers is inconsistent with historical events, as both superpowers were actively engaged in competing ideologies and conflicts. Finally, the notion of global disinterest in military alliances does not capture the reality of the situation, as both the U.S. and the USSR formed significant alliances (like NATO and