1.1 Refer to Source 1A - NSC History - Question 1 - 2016 - Paper 1

According to Karl Marx, capitalism is flawed primarily because it leads to economic disparity and exploitation. He argued that capitalism results in a system where the bourgeoisie (capital owners) exploit the proletariat (workers), creating social inequalities and alienating individuals from the fruits of their labor.

Stalin viewed capitalism as a significant threat during the Cold War, perceiving it as a root cause of conflict and competition between nations. He believed that capitalism's inherent drive for profit could lead to imperialism and war, prompting the Soviet Union to promote communism as a peaceful and stabilizing alternative that could protect the interests of the working class across Europe.

Firstly, Stalin believed that sacrifices were necessary to rebuild the Soviet economy after the devastation caused by World War II and its aftermath. Secondly, he aimed to strengthen the Soviet Union's position against western capitalist influences and ensure the survival of communism, which he viewed as essential for the nation's future.

The cartoon conveys a message depicting Stalin's skeptical and defensive stance toward the Marshall Plan. It suggests that he perceived the plan as a strategy by the West to exert influence over Eastern Europe, portraying it as a threat to the sovereignty and economic independence of Soviet-aligned states.

The sickle and hammer emblem symbolizes the union of agricultural and industrial workers in the Soviet Union, representing communism and the ideological foundation of the Soviet state under Stalin. It signifies the commitment to the working class and socialist principles.

Stalin had to play this 'game' as a defender due to the increasing pressures from the West and the need to maintain the Soviet Union's image as a stronghold against capitalism. By presenting himself as a protector of socialism, he aimed to solidify his power domestically and discourage potential dissent among satellite states that might waver in their allegiance.

The program used by Stalin to counter the Marshall Plan was known as COMECON (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance), which aimed to provide economic cooperation among Eastern Bloc countries and diminish Western influence in the region.

Source 1D focuses on the Soviet perspective of the Marshall Plan as a potential threat to its influence, emphasizing economic control and defense against Western powers. In contrast, Source 1C depicts the Western viewpoint, suggesting that the plan was intended to aid economic recovery and foster democracy in Europe. This difference in perceptions highlights the ideological divide and the motivations fueling the Cold War tensions.

The creation of new spheres of interest significantly intensified Cold War tensions between the USSR and USA as both superpowers sought to expand their influence globally. The USSR's establishment of communist regimes in Eastern Europe directly challenged American capitalism and democracy, prompting the USA to adopt a policy of containment. This ideological struggle manifested through conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and Cuba, as each side supported opposing factions in various regions, further escalating tensions and distrust between the two nations.