What were the causes of the cold war?

The Cold War really began before WW II as the US and Russia had 2 very opposing views of government and didn't trust each other. However, during the war, the two countries had to put their differences aside to beat Nazi Germany. Towards the end of the war, it was evident that heat was building up between the two countries again. The Soviets were taking liberties in areas that suggested they were not only interested in winning the war but taking land also. They insisted they control Berlin at the end of the war, wanted Manchuria for their own and not to give back to China, insisted they be in charge of Postwar Japan operations (MacArthur said absolutely not) and were really upset that the US had the power to use a nuclear bomb that they didn't even know existed. The Soviets were also aggressive after the war in areas such as Korea and Viet Nam with "support".

The Cold War was basically a war of words and threats forged between the USA and Russia. This was right after the Second World War. It was caused by American fear of Communist attack, Harry Truman's dislike of Josef Stalin, Russia's fear of America's atomic bomb, Russia's dislike of capitalism, America's refusal to share nuclear secrets and Russia's aim of spreading world communism.