If you asked, what is the most important document from the early Cold War that helps understand Soviet approach to the West, I would say it's this telegram from Stalin to Molotov, dated September 27, 1945. 
This was where he famously coached Molotov (who was then at the London Conference of Foreign Ministers): "The Allies are pressing on you to break your will and force you to make concessions. It is clear that you must display complete obduracy."
The reason for Stalin's obduracy was that he realised that he held a bad hand of cards. The US possessed atomic monopoly. The USSR was in ruins and could not possibly support another war. So he bluffed by refusing to yield - on virtually anything. It was a psychological game.
Stalin was afraid that if he made even minor concessions, the Americans would interpret these as concessions under pressure and resort to even greater pressure. An interesting case of appeasement in reverse.
How did this end? With the Cold War - that's how. Perhaps better than the available alternatives.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
