b. The ideology of the Cold War and its relation to the breakdown of wartime alliances after the end of WW II?

Answer 1

It was an alliance forged out of the most desperate of necessities, that was never going to hold after the defeat of the Nazi's.

The democratic nations of the world hated communists right from the start in 1917. The U.S. did not even officially recognize the USSR until 1935. We even tolerated Hitler and Mussolini initially because "at least he's anti-comminist".

The German victories of 1939-1941 shocked the world so badly that now only a united front could stop them.

Answer 2

Your question is somewhat confusing; because the ideology of the Cold War was the result of the breakdown of wartime alliances.

It was called "Cold", because none of the countries involved on either side, actually went to war, in a military sense.

The nuclear age had been ushered in during the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of WW II by the U.S.

And eventually, most nations of the opposing sides developed their own nuclear arsenals; and the doctrine of mutual destruction become fixed: because both sides feared starting a war that would insure their own retaliatory annihilation.

Wotan

Answer 3

A foregone conclusion. Stalin a Communist dictator had gobbled up half of Europe as compensation for the 11 Million Russian war victims (I’m over simplifying) and wanted the rest. Tried in Jugoslavia where Tito resisted, in Italy and Greece where 30% of the population was Socio-Communist because he coveted a “warm water” port (Russian dream). Churchill had foreseen it but was swept from power. Luckily Truman took over from a sick Roosevelt and decided to resist. An historical decision based on humanitarian but also “market” reasons, for which we Europeans, considering the military effort, but also the splendid Marshal Plan (rebuilding of the whole of Western Europe with US aid) will be eternally grateful. Ideology ? The War Alliance was a “necessity” in order to beat a common enemy, Hitler. The Cold War was ideological (Democratic countries versus Stalin’s Dictatorship), economical (Market oriented countries versus Centrally Planned countries) and imperial (Soviet Empire versus US Empire, with its European allies).
The “right” side won in the end. Also a foregone conclusion, because a “planned economy” can only work for a short time, perhaps in War, when the population has no choice.

Answer 4

Brinkmanship between US and USSR