Document Analysis
The author of the long telegram is George F. Kennan. The recapitulation of this document titled “The Charge in the Soviet Union” appeared in 1947 in the journal “Foreign Affairs.” The author of this document is a legend in the US representative of political realism. Kennan’s motive for writing this document was to reflect on the past and the present by revisiting some of the great proponent’s opinions of containment policy. One of the assumptions that might color the author’s views is that Kennan was obsessed with the international spread of communism. Kennan was very familiar with the subject discussed because he relied on first-hand information. The author had personal involvement with the events described. He championed the USSR’s foreign policy because he sensed a gap between USSR and China and other communist countries. Kennan, therefore, preferred to separate what was Russian from what was Soviet.
For this reason, the author seems to describe what he believes to be true. This document was produced in Moscow on 22nd February 1946. The document is contemporary to the issues described since this period was marked by the spread of communism, which the author describes. The document has come to us through its publication in the journal “Foreign Affairs,” and this means there is less chance of being tampered with[1]. Being produced in Russia where communism thrives, the geographical location must have influenced this document’s content. Kennan’s document is a memorandum. It is in its original language in which it was produced, and its writing was not translated. Writing affect the content if the document is written in another language and has to be translated because some of the content may be omitted and others added. The author targeted the Soviet countries, addressing them specifically on overcoming ideological differences.
One of the things that Kennan offers to us in his celebrated long telegram remains perpetually valid. The main idea he bequeaths to us is that our enemies are humans too. Kennan argues that the study of international relations is not enough to know the history or of political theories or even of international or domestic judicial systems. He emphasizes that soviet leaders presumed to understand human nature better than anyone. According to Kennan, Stalin’s radicalism separated him from the culture of compromise that is evident in all English-speaking democracies[2]. A radical leader in a position of power will rarely yield on any point because it is a risk for his regime and, with it, his power to collapse. Kennan prescribed intelligent long-range policies for the US in his long telegram. This document sheds light on the society/events described in the sense that Kennan confidently knew that young people would be dissatisfied with precarious economic development. It was such economic shortcomings that made USSR not defeat poverty[3]. The author meant that there would come a time when the Soviet system’s inability to export successes or show real evidence that it had obtained material prosperity for its citizens would be unveiled. The author tells a consistent story providing us unwittingly with information. The author makes several allusions about various communist leaders and the challenges of their leadership. The credibility of this document is certain as the author does not omit crucial information.
In summation, Kennan’s document is a reflection of the past and present, particularly concerning communism. This document has a great impact on the audience, for it offers an in-depth understanding of the soviet communism and the economic shortcomings brought by such leadership. Kennan’s document is an intelligent long-range policy for the US; from this document, the US administration can learn how to overcome ideological differences and open diplomatic channels with the communist countries.
References
https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/coldwar/documents/episode-1/kennan.htm
[1] https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/coldwar/documents/episode-1/kennan.htm
[2] https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/coldwar/documents/episode-1/kennan.htm
[3] https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/coldwar/documents/episode-1/kennan.htm