Which of the following most caused the cold war?

A.) Different views on communism and democracy.***
B.) Different views on the use of atomic bombs.
C.) the division of Germany, Austria, and Berlin into zones of occupation.
D.) The creation of the Warsaw Pact and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

I'm having a hard time deciding between A or C. The textbook seems to back up both answers, but it backs A up more than it does C.

A... is correct

Thank you so much, @Ms.Carson!

To determine which option most caused the Cold War, let's analyze each option and see which one had a greater impact:

A.) Different views on communism and democracy: This is indeed a major factor that contributed to the Cold War. The United States and its allies believed in democracy and capitalism, while the Soviet Union and its allies embraced communism. These opposing ideologies led to tensions and conflicts between the two superpowers. However, it is important to note that this alone did not directly cause the Cold War.

C.) The division of Germany, Austria, and Berlin into zones of occupation: This was a critical event that fueled the Cold War. After World War II, the victorious powers divided Germany, Austria, and the capital city of Berlin into occupation zones. The division of these territories into Soviet-controlled and Western-controlled zones created rival alliances and heightened tensions. This division was a significant trigger for the Cold War.

Considering both factors, the division of Germany, Austria, and Berlin into zones of occupation (Option C) had a more direct impact on the onset of the Cold War. While the differing views on communism and democracy (Option A) were a fundamental ideological clash, it was the physical division of territories that served as a tangible and immediate catalyst for the conflict.

However, it is crucial to understand that the Cold War was a complex and multifaceted event, influenced by numerous factors. It is often challenging to pinpoint a single cause, as a combination of events and circumstances over several years ultimately led to this geopolitical standoff.