Answer:
Other countries were afraid of the new Soviet Union for several reasons:
1. **Spread of Communism:** The Soviet Union was the world's first communist state, and it actively promoted communist ideology globally. Many capitalist countries feared that the spread of communism would undermine their own political systems and economic interests.
2. **Revolutionary Intentions:** The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, which led to the establishment of the Soviet Union, inspired revolutionary movements in other countries. The fear of communist revolutions spreading beyond the Soviet borders led to heightened tensions and concerns among other nations.
3. **Military Strength:** The Soviet Union rapidly developed a powerful military, including nuclear weapons, which posed a significant threat to other countries. The arms race between the Soviet Union and the United States during the Cold War fueled fears of nuclear conflict and global destruction.
4. **Expansionist Policies:** The Soviet Union pursued expansionist policies, aiming to spread its influence and establish satellite states in Eastern Europe and other regions. This expansionism, exemplified by events such as the Berlin Blockade and the Cuban Missile Crisis, heightened anxieties about Soviet intentions and ambitions.
5. **Ideological Conflict:** The Cold War rivalry between the Soviet Union and the Western powers, particularly the United States, fueled ideological conflict and competition for global influence. This ideological divide contributed to mutual mistrust and fear between the Soviet Union and other countries.
Overall, the fear of the new Soviet Union stemmed from its communist ideology, revolutionary aspirations, military strength, expansionist policies, and ideological conflict with capitalist nations. These factors combined to create a climate of tension and suspicion that characterized much of the 20th century during the Cold War era.
