What role did the personalities, philosophies, and ambitions of individual political leaders play in the Cold War?

The three most
important world powers at the beginning of the Cold War were the Soviet Union, Great Britain,
and the United States.

Joseph Stalin led the Soviet Union into the Cold War.
He was a ruthless and paranoid dictator who eliminated both real and imaginary opponents. These
traits, which had been evident during the 1930s, intensified after the end of World War II in
1945. He sought to expand his power by taking over countries in Eastern Europe after WWII. In
addition, those countries provided a territorial buffer against any future German aggression. He
needed enemies abroadthe United States and Great Britainto justify his iron grip on his
subjects. Stalin was a dangerous and cruel man whose paranoia contributed to the Cold
War.

Winston Churchill, Great Britain's leader during WWII, distrusted
Stalin. In 1946, he accused Stalin of creating an "iron curtain" across Europe as
Russian troops cut Eastern Europe off from the West. He wanted a strong Anglo-American alliance
against against Communism. He also was an advocate for European unity.

Harry
S. Truman became president in 1945 as WWII was ending. As a new president, he faced Soviet
aggression and expansionism in Eastern Europe. His most important role in the Cold War was his
Truman Doctrine: he promised to help Greece and Turkey remain non-Communist nations. Truman
started the Containment policyAmerica's strategy for the Cold War.