Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan

• The Truman Doctrine:

  • March 1947

  • choice between Communism and Capitalism

  • USA would protect others - send troops and economic resources to help Capitalist countries

  • supported Greece in preventing a Communist takeover
• Significance of the Truman Doctrine:

  • responsibility to protect the world

  • divided the world according to ideology

  • helped settle the Greek Civil War

  • committed to what he had promised
• The Marshall Plan:

  • inspected Europe following WWII

  • shortage of goods, resources, food

  • economies were ruined

  • committed $17 billion to rebuild the economies to try and weaken Communism

  • qualification - had to agree to trade with US

  • helped the US economy and prevented another depression
• Significance of the Marshall Plan:

  • went down well with countries under the sphere of influence

  • 16 countries welcomed the offer

  • USSR was angry

  • Stalin claimed America was trying to

  divide Europe

  • accused of being selfish

  • stopped the Eastern European States accepting it
• Cominform:

  • international organisation representing communist parties

  • ensured control

  • encouraged countries to refuse Marshall Aid

  • some communist Parties organised riots and strikes

  • ensured loyalty of the governments of these countries

  • not loyal to Stalin = removed from their post

  • stamped out opposition and ensured loyalty and power
• Comecon:

  • Communist alternative to help countries economically

  • encouraged economic development in the East

  • attempted to prevent trade with USA

  • American influence would be mineralised

  • economic benefits would remain in Stalin’s ‘sphere of influence’

  • could not benefit from the prosperity in Western Europe