The Truman Doctrine
On March 12, 1947, President Harry Truman spoke before Congress. Truman talked about setting forth a policy that is called the Truman Doctrine. He declared that the United States must consider the continued spread of communism to be a threat to democracy. He argued that the United States must "support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures." Truman asked Congress to provide $400 million to help defend Greece and Turkey from communist aggression. When Congress agreed, with the U.S. technical and financial assistance, the Greek government ended the rebellion.
To carry out the Truman Doctrine, the United States would not try to stamp out communism in countries where it already existed. It would not intervene in any country that freely chose communism. However, if a country requested assistance to prevent a communist takeover, the United States, would offer materials, money, and technical knowledge. The United States committed itself to contain, or restrict, the spread of communism known as containment.
To carry out the Truman Doctrine, the United States would not try to stamp out communism in countries where it already existed. It would not intervene in any country that freely chose communism. However, if a country requested assistance to prevent a communist takeover, the United States, would offer materials, money, and technical knowledge. The United States committed itself to contain, or restrict, the spread of communism known as containment.
The Marshall Plan
Western leaders feared that ongoing poverty in war-torn Europe would drive Europeans into communist parties. In response to these concerns, the United States announced a new plan of massive economic assistance. Called the Marshall Plan after U.S. Secretary of State General George Marshall, the European Recovery Program also encouraged European nations to work together. They were to determine their needs and remove trade barriers so that goods could flow freely across the continent. Eventually, 17 European nations participated in the Marshall Plan. The United States also offered aid to the Soviet Union and Eastern European nations under Soviet control, but those nations rejected the offer.
Between 1948 and 1952, the United States spent over $13 billion on the Marshall Plan by 1952 European farm and industrial production was above prewar levels. Europe was on the road to prosperity. The United State also benefited from the Marshall Plan, as it supplied export goods to the recovering European economies.
Between 1948 and 1952, the United States spent over $13 billion on the Marshall Plan by 1952 European farm and industrial production was above prewar levels. Europe was on the road to prosperity. The United State also benefited from the Marshall Plan, as it supplied export goods to the recovering European economies.