The United States and Russia: A Cold and Complex History
Contents Foreword Setting the Scene A Timeline Introduction Iconic Moments in Russian-American Relations Chapter One Early Russian and American Relations 4 6 8 12 Chapter Two World War I the Russian Revolution and the Aftermath 28 Chapter Three World War II Chapter Four The Cold War Chapter Five 40 48 The End of the Cold War and the Rise of Vladimir Putin 65 Epilogue Russia in the 21st Century Notes For More Information Index Picture Credits About the Author 78 89 97 99 103 104
Foreword History books are often filled with names and dates words and numbers for students to memorize for a test and forget once they move on to another class However what history books should be filled with are great stories because the history of our world is filled with great stories Love death violence heroism and betrayal are not just themes found in novels and movie scripts They are often the driving forces behind major historical events When told in a compelling way fact is often far more interesting and sometimes far more unbelievable than fiction World history is filled with more drama than the best television shows and all of it really happened As readers discover the incredible truth behind the triumphs and tragedies that have impacted impacted the world since ancient times they also come to understand that everything everything is connected Historical events do not exist in a vacuum The stories that shaped world history continue to shape the present and will undoubtedly shape the future The titles in this series aim to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding understanding of pivotal events in world history They are written with a focus on providing readers with multiple perspectives perspectives to help them develop an appreciation appreciation for the complexity of the study of history There is no set lens through which history must be viewed and these titles encourage readers to analyze different different viewpoints to understand why a historical figure acted the way they did or why a contemporary scholar wrote what they did about a historical event In this way readers are able to sharpen their critical-thinking skills and apply those skills in their history classes Readers Readers are aided in this pursuit by formally documented quotations and annotated bibliographies which encourage further research and debate Many of these quotations come from carefully selected primary sources including diaries public records and contemporary research and writings These valuable primary sources helps readers hear the voices of those who directly experienced historical events as well as the voices of biographers and historians who provide a unique perspective on familiar topics Their voices all help history come alive in a vibrant way As students read the titles in this series they are provided with clear 4 the united states and russia a cold and complex history
context in the form of maps timelines and informative text These elements give them the basic facts they need to fully appreciate the high drama that is history The study of history is difficult at times not because of all the information information that needs to be memorized but because of the challenging questions it asks us How could something as horrible horrible as the Holocaust happen Why would religious leaders use torture during the Inquisition Why does ISIS have so many followers The information information presented in each title gives readers readers the tools they need to confront these questions and participate in the debates they inspire As we pore over the stories of events and eras that changed the world we come to understand a simple truth No one can escape being a part of history We are not bystanders we are active participants in the stories that are being created now and will be written about in history books decades and even centuries centuries from now The titles in this series help readers gain a deeper appreciation for history and a stronger understanding understanding of the connection between the stories stories of the past and the stories they are part of right now foreword 5
