Which political leaders were responsible for starting the cold war?

Joseph Stalin (USSR): Under Stalin's leadership, the Soviet Union engaged in territorial expansion, supported Communist movements worldwide, and sought to spread communism as an alternative to capitalism. His desire for territorial control and a sphere of influence in Eastern Europe clashed with the interests of the Western Allies.

Harry Truman (USA): Truman succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt as President of the United States after Roosevelt's death in 1945. Truman adopted a more assertive foreign policy, aiming to contain the spread of communism and support Western European nations impacted by the war. He implemented policies such as the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan to achieve these objectives, which were perceived by the Soviets as confrontational.

Winston Churchill (United Kingdom): Churchill, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945, initially cooperated with Stalin during World War II. However, after the war, he expressed concerns about Soviet intentions in Eastern Europe and advocated for a strong stance against communism. His famous "Iron Curtain" speech in 1946 highlighted the growing divide between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union.

George C. Marshall (USA): Marshall served as Secretary of State under Truman and played a crucial role in shaping U.S. foreign policy during the early Cold War. He introduced the Marshall Plan, which provided economic aid to Western European nations and sought to rebuild the region devastated by World War II. The Marshall Plan was seen by the Soviets as an attempt to undermine their influence in Eastern Europe.

While the responsibility for starting the Cold War cannot be attributed solely to one individual, these political leaders played key roles in shaping events that led to the escalation of tensions between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union.