Historian Michael Beschloss discusses Harry S. Truman's role in the Potsdam Conference and examines how his decisions there paved the way for the Cold War. (December 2002)

In his article entitled "Inside Enemy Archives: The Cold War Reopened," Melvyn Leffler discusses the ramifications of archival documents from the Russians on the Cold War era. Can Soviet actions during that time be viewed in a different...

BBC correspondent Arnold A Offner discusses the role Harry S. Truman played in development of the Cold War. American history from a British point of view.

This primary source document reveals Russia's growing distrust of the United States and its desire to strengthen its position in the global community through greater military security.

[Free Registration/Login Required] New York Times correspondent Jason DeParle reflects on the controversial legacy of the Yalta Conference. (November 26, 1989)

This site provides an unbelievable analysis of the Iron Curtain speech given by Winston Churchill. Includes questions for students to answer, primary sources, transcripts of the primary sources, and useful notes that explain the points...

This site from the Library of Congress discusses the progress of World War II, and the nature of the postwar settlement at conferences in Tehran, Yalta, and Potsdam.

The Library of Congress provides an account of the murder of Kirov and how it led to the purges. Links to primary documents are included.

Collection of papers of the author, educator, and political philosopher Hannah Arendt.

This online directory from Fordham University provides an abundance of essays and articles detailing various aspects of the Russian Revolution as well as a list of additional sources.

This economic history of the Soviet Union begins with its revolutionary beginnings and examines the state of the economy throughout the decades of the twentieth century.

An information-packed encyclopedia article from Wikipedia on the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact presents a good summary of the events that led up to the signing of the pact. There is also a link to the text of the pact.

Historical information and composer information both appear here with reviews of CDs and purchasing links. Point of view is clearly anti-Soviet.

A brief survey of the beginning of the Cold War and the challenges that faced the United States in confronting communist totalitarianism.

This site from the Lebendiges Museum Online describes the events surrounding the Potsdam Conference which decided the future of the devided Germany. The site is entirely in German.

This site from the Nobel Foundation of the Nobel eMuseum allows you to read about Menachem Begin (1913-1992 CE), who shared the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize with Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat. This article includes a general overview of Begin's...

The CATO Institute, dedicated to "Individual Liberty, Limited Government, Free Markets and Peace, offers "Marxist Dreams and Soviet Realities" by Ralph Raico, originally published as Cato's Letter #2 in 1998 prior to the fall of the USSR.

Lengthy explanation of the views expressed by Marx. Covers his thoughts on production and the means of production, class struggles, the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, and what he saw as a possible end to the conflict - what some call...

This site from the Modern History Sourcebook which is provided for by Fordham University contains the text of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact.

Animal Farm is an allegorical novel about the animals of Manor Farm that drive out the human farmers and assume control. As time progresses, the dynamic amongst the animals moves from unity and equality to tyranny. Selected (7) reading...

This site from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars presents new information and perspectives on the origins of the Cold War, including new findings, views and activities.

A quick comprehension check over the Red Scare.

Three conclusions brought on by newly unclassified documents from the Soviet archives. Offers new interpretations on the beginning of the Korean War, including Stalin's opposition to war.

Provides detailed facts and a summary of Totalitarianism and the rise of the dictators such as Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin between WWI and WW2.