Beginning of the Cold War

In the Cold War, the US and the USSR had two opposing aims which aided the development of tension in their relationship. Russia, being very communist, wanted to spread their ideals among other (weaker) countries in hopes to have superiority over the US, while the US promoted democracy and encouraged other nations to rise against communism. The US basically wanted to smooth out all of the tensions that rose from WW2 and create stability among Europe.

Russia was power-hungry and wanted to leave everything the way it was after the end of WW2, even though it was surrounded by corrupt nations. Russia's main goal was to rebuild its economy, and produce industrial items, as the Cold War begun. 

Both sides were threatened by one another and their opposing views made it more difficult to fix all of the damage created previously. Do you think if they understood each others perspectives, that the Cold War would have played out differently? Who do you think had the most beneficial view for both of them (who was right)?