Download Contrasting Cold War Terms - Parkway C-2

Contrasting Cold War
Terms
Communism v. Democracy
1.1A
Democracy
American Perspective Soviet Perspective
Best System of
Government
Majority Rules
Historically,
democracy had and
still was being
violated during the
Cold War
Argued that the U.S.
was hypocritical to
promote democracy
and capitalism at the
same time.
True democracy
works if everyone is
rewarded equally in
the economic system.
1.1B
Equality
American Perspective
Equality of
Opportunity - same
chance to succeed
Equality before the
Law - same treatment
in legal system
Equality of Conditionsame material wealth
in society
Soviet Perspective
Believed Equality of
Condition was essential
for a healthy society.
Their citizens were
provided with
employment, health care,
and other basic
necessities.
Top officials, however,
still got the best housing
1.1C
Capitalism
American Perspective
Allows individuals to
better themselves
through hard work and
individual initiative.
Competition provides
better quality at lower
prices and brings out the
best in society.
Losers would look to the
winners and work harder
Soviet Perspective
Is an evil system in which
competition breeds
selfishness and
undermines cooperation
and community.
World poverty was due to
capitalism.
They wanted a
cooperative utopia where
cooperation was evident.
1.1D
Individualism
American Perspective
The outcome of
people’s lives are
determined by inner
drive and desire, not
outward
circumstances
The basic human
nature is competitive,
individualistic, and
acquisitive.
Soviet Perspective
A society built upon
individualism
produces some
winners and many
losers.
Results in a society
full of inequality and
exploitation where the
winners take
advantage of the
losers
1.1E
Collectivism
American Perspective
Violates basic human
nature, which is
competitive rather than
cooperative.
Things like teamwork and
sharing works against
humankind’s essential
nature and is doomed to
failure.
Collective ownership
violates private
ownership
Soviet Perspective
Cooperation and
caring are the finest
parts of human
nature.
The only way to
create fairness in a
society was for every
factory and business
to be owned
collectively by all
members of a society.
1.1F
Socialism
American Perspective
Government control
over the means of
production threatens
one of the basic rights
- to own and control
property.
Socialism inhibits
individuals’ desire and
ability to achieve
betterment for
society.
Soviet Perspective
Government ownership
provided a means by
which the wealth of a
society could be evenly
distributed to all the
people.
Only shared ownership
could prevent the abuses
of capitalism and protect
the common people from
exploitation.
1.1G
Totalitarianism
American Perspective
This is equivalent to a
dictatorship and
threatens basic
human rights, such as
freedom of speech
Argued that a healthy
and productive
society could be
achieved only when
people could freely
express their views.
Soviet Perspective
Totalitarianism was
required to transform a
society from an unequal
one to one in which
wealth was evenly
distributed.
It was then abandoned
once a truly socialist state
was established.
Nearly 3 decades under
Stalin stalled this effort
1.1H
Freedom
American Perspective
Freedom is at the
core of a happy and
productive society.
American’s hold
freedom in the
highest regard.
Many wars have been
fought to preserve
and promote the
value of freedom.
Soviet Perspective
People are not free
unless they have a fair
share of wealth that
allows them to live
beyond basic needs.
A redistribution of wealth
was essential.
The control of press and
industry to prohibit wouldbe capitalists from
exploiting and denying
freedoms to the working
class was necessary.
Overview of Key Cold War Terms
American Terms
Soviet Terms
Capitalism
Socialism
Democracy
Totalitarianism
Freedom
Equality
Individualism
Collectivism
Which Society looks better to you?
Is one more ideal?
Is one more realistic?