1. Historiography of the Cold War

2. ORTHODOX Traditional, “old school” explanation of history Argue origins of the Cold War are due to the aggressive Soviet policy of expansion in post-WWII era Key theorist(s): – Arthur Schlesinger (1967)

3. REVISIONIST Argue origins of the Cold War are due to United States asserting its role as an atomic world power Key theorist(s): – Walter LeFeber (1997)

4. POST-REVISIONIST Argue origins of the Cold War are due to misperceptions held by both the USA and USSR Key theorist(s): – Melvyn Leffler (1991) – John Lewis Gaddis (1997) – Leffler considered “New Left” view – Gaddis considered conservative view

5. ‘NEW HISTORIANS’ Argue individuals and their actions are of vital importance in explaining key events of the Cold War, rather than the policies of whole governments Factors: – Fall of USSR; huge declassification of Soviet documents & opening of archives – Russian historians free from communist censorship

6. Cold War Textbook Read pages 38-39 on the four perspectives Homework due by Thursday – Historiography spoof grid