There is a lot of debate of which factor played the largest role in initiating the Cold War during the period of 1945-50. Mostly sources 7 and 9 argue that various ideological differences between the two superpowers were responsible for the origins of the Cold War; while sources 8 and also 9 differ and state that it could have been down to other factors, such as conflicting personalities of the leaders and general national interests. On the one hand source 7 supports the argument that it was political ideological differences that caused the Cold War, arguing that the USSR was seen as a “unique and unbending armed ideology threatening to expand” which resulted in an “ideological crusade” between the two superpowers. Source 9 provides support, stating one of USA’s capitalist strategies was “containment” of communism to ensure successful free markets could be established. It is easy to see how the conflicting ideologies between the two countries – USA supporting free market capitalism and a liberal democracy, while USSR had a controlled economy and a one party state. This evidence clearly shows that the two superpowers were essentially on the opposite sides of the spectrum to each other and were constantly trying to hinder one another, which would cause a rise in tension between them. However the interpretation that the political ideological disagreement is entirely responsible for the beginning of the Cold War can be considered too simplistic. As Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 did a lot to reinforce communist political views in Russia, however did not initiate any conflict between USA and USSR at the time. Overall it is difficult to say that political ideological differences were the largest factor responsible for the origins of the Cold War, as if it was the case, the Cold War would have been initiated a long time before 1945. Furthermore source 9 also suggests that