Containment Truman wondered how he could handle the

Containment

Truman wondered how he could handle the Soviets n An advisor, George F. Kennan, came up with America’s policy n Kennan’s findings: n – USSR believed triumph of communism was inevitable – Would not be easily defeated – US policy must be long -term and vigilant n Taking these findings, Truman came up with US policy known as

Do Not Expand! The United States Will Do Anything They Can to Stop YOU

The Truman Doctrine The communists were attempting to overthrow the governments of Greece and Turkey n Starting in 1947, Truman sent $400 Million to help n Truman decides to fight communism “anywhere, anytime” n Unofficial declaration of war against USSR n

Excerpt of Truman’s speech to Congress, March 12, 1947

I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures… I believe that our help should be primarily through economic and financial aid which is essential to economic stability and orderly political processes… It is necessary only to glance at a map to realize that the survival and integrity of the Greek nation are of grave importance in a much wider situation. If Greece should fall under the control of an armed minority, the effect upon its neighbor, Turkey, would be immediate and serious. Confusion and disorder might well spread throughout the entire Middle East. Moreover, the disappearance of Greece as an independent state would have a profound effect upon those countries in Europe whose peoples are struggling against great difficulties to maintain their freedoms and their independence while they repair the damages of war.

Results… n Unofficial declaration of war against Soviet Union n Defeated Communist insurgents in Greece and helped Turkey withstand Soviet pressure n US served notice on USSR that it would resist communist encroachment anywhere

The Marshall Plan Named after Secretary of State George Marshall n Wanted to help Western Europe recover from WWII n Starting in 1948, sent $13 billion in grants and loans to 17 Western European nations n

Excerpt of Marshall’s speech, June 5, 1947

The truth of the matter is that Europe’s requirement for the next 3 or 4 years of foreign food and other essential products—principally from America—are so much greater than her present ability to pay that she must have substantial help or face economic, social, and political deterioration of a very grave character… Aside from the demoralizing effect on the world at large and the possibilities of disturbances arising as a result of the desperation of the people concerned, the consequences to the economy of the United States should be apparent to all. It is logical that the United States should do whatever it is able to do to assist in the return of normal economic health in the world, without which there can be no political stability and no assured peace. Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions exist…

Results… Western Europe became economically healthy by 1951 n Provided a large market for American products n Region became very anti-communist n No communism in region n

North Atlantic Treaty Organization The US, Canada, and 10 Western European nations formed N. A. T. O. in 1949 n Defense against attack by USSR n An example of collective security n Told USSR: “an attack on one is an attack on all” n

n The Soviets also create an alliance of defense n They combine the countries they controlled behind the Iron Curtain n They called their alliance the Warsaw Pact

WARSAW N. A. T. O. PACT

Results… n Western Europe put under American nuclear shield n General Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed supreme commander n 180, 000 American troops stationed in Europe

The US followed the policy of containment for the next four decades n Led to US involvement in “hot” and “cold” conflicts around the world n