The Truman Doctrine

• Background

  • Truman believed that the Soviet Union was trying to spread communism
  • USA wanted to use an atomic bomb and superior atomic strength to put pressure on the Soviet Union to stop expansion
  • Events were occurring in Greece
• At Yalta, it was agreed Britain would have influence over Greece

  • Britain nearly bankrupt after WW2 and couldn't provide aid to other countries it had influence over, so in 1947 it announced it could no longer support Greece.

  USA stepped in with financial aid.
• Greece

  • March 1947: Truman publicly announces support for Greece + Turkey. (400 million + military troops and personnel)

  This was a turning point in US policy: committed the US to policy of containment and moving away from policy of isolationism - it was not involved in the affairs of other countries pre WW2.

  • Speech to outline differences between democracy/communism, referring to it as good/evil.
  • According to the Truman Doctrine, communism should not be allowed to grow
• Consequences of the Truman Doctrine

  Rivalry between the Soviet Union and the USA increased

  • Truman had publicly declared the world was divided

  (free, non communist vs unfree communist)

  USA was committed to containment policy and more involved in European affairs.

  • The USA provided economic aid to Europe (Marshall plan)

  1947: Stalin set up the Communist Information Bureau.