Question

question 6 of 10

which statement best describes one factor that led to the cold war?

a. the soviet union had become arrogant in its military strength after world war ii, believing it had no rivals.
b. the united states had forced the soviet union to give up land after world war ii, hurting the soviet unions economy.
c. ideological differences between the united states and the soviet union were intensified by a dangerous nuclear arms race.
d. both the united states and the soviet union tried to form a workable relationship; however, they could not overcome their differences.

Explanation:

Analyze the historical context of the Cold War

Using the Cold War Origins knowledge point
The Cold War arose from deep-seated geopolitical, economic, and ideological tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union following World War II. These differences were significantly exacerbated by the development and proliferation of nuclear weapons, which created a highly competitive and dangerous global environment.

Evaluate the provided options

• Option A is historically inaccurate; the Soviet Union was acutely aware of the military power of the United States, particularly its nuclear monopoly in the immediate postwar years.
• Option B is incorrect; the United States did not force the Soviet Union to cede its own territory after World War II.
• Option C accurately identifies that the fundamental ideological differences (capitalism and democracy versus communism and totalitarianism) were intensified by the dangerous nuclear arms race that began after the war.
• Option D oversimplifies the systemic and structural nature of the conflict, as the core ideological and strategic goals of both superpowers were fundamentally incompatible from the outset.

Answer:

• (A) The Soviet Union had become arrogant in its military strength after World War II, believing it had no rivals.
• (B) The United States had forced the Soviet Union to give up land after World War II, hurting the Soviet Union's economy.
• (C) Ideological differences between the United States and the Soviet Union were intensified by a dangerous nuclear arms race. (Correct answer)
• (D) Both the United States and the Soviet Union tried to form a workable relationship; however, they could not overcome their differences.