Why Does NSC 68 View The Soviet Union As Different From Other Great Powers?

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1. Why does NSC 68 view the Soviet Union as different from other great powers? The NSC 68 viewed the Soviet Union as different from other great powers due to the fact that it is motivated by a specific ideology, with an aim to spread it around the world. As stated in the policy, the Soviet Union “…is animated by a new fanatic faith” (Foner 217), with that faith being communism, which stripped people of their individual freedoms. The United States viewed this as a threat, specifically because communism was a direct contrast to its own beliefs and ideologies. In addition to their strong belief in communism, the Soviet Union was also different from previous powers due to its aim to spread its faith around the world. The Soviet Union, unlike …show more content…
According to the policy, individual freedoms, while coming with responsibilities, are essential to the construction of a “just” society. This means that it is up to individuals to help shape a society where “…every individual has the opportunity to realize his creative powers” (Foner 219), i.e. that individuals are encouraged to use their freedoms instead of being restricted from doing so. Individual freedoms are essential to the creation of a “free society”, for if there were no freedoms, then society could not be considered “free”. In addition to this, the acceptance of diversity was also seen as essential. This is because a “free society” “…derives its strength from its hospitality even to antipathetic ideas. It is a market for free trade in ideas…” (Foner 219). If a society was not diverse, there would be no growth or change—it would remain the same because of the lack of differences in thought. When compared, communism was in direct violation of the essential elements of the “free society”, for it instead promoted a “slave society” where individuals possessed no liberties and were in no way diverse. Because of this, Americans felt it was imperative for the United States to prevent the spread of communism, for it threatened their idea of freedom and the “free society”.
3. Do you think Russia 's movements in Crimea and Syria reflect a 'new cold war”? Are you concerned at all about what will happen in the near future with our relationship with

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