Relationship Between United States And Russia

Superior Essays
Since the founding of our nation on July 04, 1776, we have interacted with different countries to carry out our nations’ daily functions. At the same time, relations with Russia can be described as a labyrinthine imbroglio. In other words, the social and economic connections between the two countries have resulted in a complicated as well as confusing situation. Valentina Matviyenko embodies the United States and Russia relationship perfectly by stating, “[o]f course the United States and Russia have different interests. Nevertheless, both are strategic partners” (Brainy Quote). During the duration of this paper, interactions between Russia and the United States will be divided into three major time periods: pre-World War II, Cold War, and …show more content…
Referring to Valentina Matviyenko, the two countries became partners due to their own national interest. The two countries interaction can be traced back to when the United States (U.S.) sent their first representative, Francis Dana, to St. Petersburg in 1780 to receive recognition from Russia. Russia failed to formally recognize the new government of the United States because “[d]iplomatic ties to Britain prevented the Russian Government from accepting Dana 's credentials” (United States Relations). In 1790, Russia became interested in the United States for its fur trapping and trading; nine years later, Tsar Paul developed trading opportunities in the region with Russian-American Company. The United States formally gained recognition and established diplomatic relations with Russia in 1809 when Russia sent Minister-Designate Fedor Pahlen to Washington and the U.S. reciprocated by sending John Quincy Adams. After years of involvement and cooperation before, during, and after the American civil war, the United States purchased Alaska from …show more content…
The physical war was fought in cities outside of the Soviet Union and the United States by other nations that were either communistic or democratic. During this period, the world vaulted into an arms race to advance their leverage over other nations. The United States developed and used the first nuclear weapon on Japan, therefore, catalyzing the USSR to maintain its position with the United States as a superpower. In addition to military advantages, the United States and the Soviet Union posed different ideologies which caused tension between the two powers. The former allies felt threatened by the others’ ideology so they began to implement systems and treaties, such as Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, NATO, and Warsaw Pact to prevent the spread of the other. These systems and treaties allow the communist or democratic states to create an environment where they excel without the need of assistance or interaction with the opposed ideology. For example, Korean war began June 25, 1950, between the Soviet Union, supported North Korea while the United State aided the South Koreans against the North Koreans’ advances of communism by providing troops. The United States’ administration and President Truman feared that this invasion would lead to a communist overtake globally so they worked diligently with South Koreans to contain communism to

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