Why was the Soviet state so frightening to traditional western democracies? Soon after the revolution the Soviet Union began holding threatening military exercises. It was a society based on entirely different principles and dedicated to violent revolution; they were determined to see Marxism conquer the world. They were successful, with an expanding economy during the Great Depression. Their ruling documents encouraged atheism, and their leaders called for the transformation of gender roles. The tragedy of WWI and the catastrophe of the Depression made western democracies especially sensitive to challenges.

Why was the Soviet state so frightening to traditional western democracies? Soon after the revolution the Soviet Union began holding threatening military exercises. It was a society based on entirely different principles and dedicated to violent revolution; they were determined to see Marxism conquer the world. They were successful, with an expanding economy during the Great Depression. Their ruling documents encouraged atheism, and their leaders called for the transformation of gender roles. The tragedy of WWI and the catastrophe of the Depression made western democracies especially sensitive to challenges.