The Truman Doctrine
Some historians believe that the Cold War between the United States and Russia began on March 12, 1947 (65 years ago today). It was on that day that President Harry S. Truman gave a speech outlining a policy that became known as the "Truman Doctrine".
In the speech, delivered to both houses of Congress, Truman stated that the United States would support Greece and Turkey with economic and military aid to prevent their takeover by the Soviet Union in an effort to stop the spread of post-World War 2 communism. Truman stated it would be "the policy of the United States to support free people who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures." He said that because these "totalitarian regimes" coerced "free peoples," they represented a threat to international peace and the national security of the United States.
Truman made this plea while the Greek Civil War was occuring. He argued that if Greece and Turkey did not receive the aid that they urgently needed, they would inevitably fall to communism with grave consequences throughout the region. For years the British had supported Greece, but Great Britain was facing economic problems of its own and was forced to radically reduce its involvement in the region. In February 1947, Great Britain formally requested the United States take over its role in supporting the Greek government.
The Truman Doctrine won the support of Republicans who controlled Congress at the time. It involved sending $400 million in American money, but no military forces, to the region. The effect was to end the Communist threat. Five years later in 1952 both Greece and Turkey joined NATO, a military alliance that guaranteed their protection. The Doctrine was informally extended to become the basis of American Cold War policy throughout Europe and around the world. It shifted American foreign policy toward a policy of containment of Soviet expansion.
Following is a YouTube Video of President Truman giving this speech:
In the speech, delivered to both houses of Congress, Truman stated that the United States would support Greece and Turkey with economic and military aid to prevent their takeover by the Soviet Union in an effort to stop the spread of post-World War 2 communism. Truman stated it would be "the policy of the United States to support free people who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures." He said that because these "totalitarian regimes" coerced "free peoples," they represented a threat to international peace and the national security of the United States.
Truman made this plea while the Greek Civil War was occuring. He argued that if Greece and Turkey did not receive the aid that they urgently needed, they would inevitably fall to communism with grave consequences throughout the region. For years the British had supported Greece, but Great Britain was facing economic problems of its own and was forced to radically reduce its involvement in the region. In February 1947, Great Britain formally requested the United States take over its role in supporting the Greek government.
The Truman Doctrine won the support of Republicans who controlled Congress at the time. It involved sending $400 million in American money, but no military forces, to the region. The effect was to end the Communist threat. Five years later in 1952 both Greece and Turkey joined NATO, a military alliance that guaranteed their protection. The Doctrine was informally extended to become the basis of American Cold War policy throughout Europe and around the world. It shifted American foreign policy toward a policy of containment of Soviet expansion.
Following is a YouTube Video of President Truman giving this speech: