The Truman Doctrine/The Marshall Plan/NATO

Policy of "Containment"

A. 1947, US Ambassador to Russia, George Kennan, warned Truman that the USSR sought to expand its empire.

1. Soviet leaders had an ideology that "the outside world was hostile and that it was their duty eventually to overthrow the political forces beyond their borders.

2. Soviet policy in eastern Europe, Germany, and the Middle East was of great concern.

3. Kennan’s ideas became the basis for Truman’s "containment" policy.

Truman Doctrine

Defined U.S. foreign policy for next 20 years.

"It must be the policy of the US to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures."

1. Initiated a policy of "containment": prevention of the spread of communism

2. March 12, 1947, Truman asked Congress for $400 million to support democracy in Turkey and Greece since the British were no longer able.

-- Result was positive for democracy in both countries

3. Truman quickly recognized Israel in 1948 as the new country would be a bastion of democracy in the Middle East.

Marshall Plan

1.France, Italy and Germany were still suffering from economic chaos after WWII.

2.U.S. feared Communist parties could exploit these hardships and take control.

3.Sec. of State George C. Marshall invited Europeans to create a joint plan for economic recovery. US would provide financial assistance.

a. Soviets walked out of the conference in Paris in July, 1947.

-- Criticized it as U.S. ploy to take over Europe