Michelle Fakhry's List: Truman Doctrine

Cold War | Sound |

Mar 07, 11

Cold War | Sound | World Book Student

Cold War - World Book Student

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 we must assist free peoples to work out their own destinies in their own way. I believe that our help should be primarily through economic and financial aid, which is essential to economic stability and orderly political processes.

*From his speech

Citation: Hamby, Alonzo L. "Truman, Harry S." World Book Student. World Book, 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2011.
Truman, Harry S. |

Mar 07, 11
Truman, Harry S. | Article | World Book Student

Truman, Harry S.

Article

World Book Student

The Truman Doctrine. Soon after World War II, the Cold War developed between the Soviet Union and its former allies (see Cold War). The Communists gained control over Eastern Europe. Truman realized that the United States would have to lead in the fight for freedom. The country would have to spend as much as necessary to strengthen its war-torn allies. In 1946, Congress approved a $3,750,000,000 loan to the United Kingdom. Then, on March 12, 1947, Truman announced a doctrine of international resistance to Communist aggression. The Truman Doctrine guaranteed American aid to free nations resisting Communist propaganda or sabotage.

Citation: Hamby, Alonzo L. "Truman, Harry S." World Book Student. World Book, 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2011.

Genral information about the Doctrine
Truman Doctrine

Mar 07, 11

Truman Doctrine

more from www.u-s-history.com

On March 12, 1947, in an address to Congress, President Harry S. Truman declared it to be the foreign policy of the United States to assist any country whose stability was threatened by communism. His initial request was specifically for $400 million to assist both Greece and Turkey, which Congress approved.

In the period immediately preceding World War I, Great Britain ruled the world's greatest empire, which it maintained with the unquestioned supremacy of the British Navy. The great physical and financial costs of the two world wars reduced British power so much that it could no longer maintain its former role on the world stage.

*more historical about Britan

Two other countries that emerged weakened from World War II were Greece and Turkey. On February 21, 1947, the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.], informed the U.S. government that the British could no longer provide financial aid to the Greece and Turkey governments. Greece was in the middle of a civil war, and Turkey needed assistance with modernizing their society. It seemed possible that both countries might fall into the Soviet sphere of influence.

“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 we must assist free peoples to work out their own destinies in their own way. I believe that our help should be primarily through economic and financial aid, which is essential to economic stability and orderly political processes.”

Congress approved Truman's request, and it was signed into law on May 22, 1947. American support was delivered to both Turkey and Greece. Turkey was able to resist Soviet pressure over the Dardanelles and the Greek government largely eliminated the communist rebellion by October 1949. Thus began the policy of containment that was followed by other presidential administrations during the Cold War. Both Greece and Turkey joined NATO in 1952. The Truman Doctrine also aided the French in their pursuit to maintain the Vietnamese colonies in the country now known as Vietnam.