The USA was worried about the spread of Communism, So tried to Contain it in two ways:
The Marshall Plan
Marshall and Truman asked
Congress for $17 billion to fund the
European Recovery
This Promised aid to European countries to help rebuild their economies. Western
Germany benefited massively, Yet the USA was worried that if Western Europe
remained weak they were vulnerable to Communism
European leaders met at the Paris Conference of 1948 to discuss the American offer. 16 countries inlcuding Britain and
France welcomed aid, yet Stalin insisted that Eastern countires in the Soviet 'sphere of influence' refused help
June 1947
General George Marshall made a visit to Europe to see what
was needed. He came away thinking Europe was so poor that the whole of
Europe was about to turn Communist.
The Truman Doctrine
March 1947
What did it Say?
The world had a choice between communist tyranny and domestic freedom
America had a responsibility to fight for liberty wherever it was threatened
America would send troops and economic resources to help governments that were threatened by communists
Communism should not be allowed to grow and gain territory
It divided the world according to ideology: It stated that Capitalism and
Communism were in opposition. This suggested that there could be no further
co-operation between East and West.
It also set out a goal for foreign policy: Truman was committed
to containment to stop the spread of communism
A Civil War had started in Greece in 1946 between the
Pro-Western Government and Communists
By 1947, Greece was one of the few countries in Eastern Europe that hadn't turned communist. The Communist rebels in
Greece were prevented from taking over by the British Army. The British told Truman they could no longer afford to keep
their soldiers in Greece, Truman stepped in to take over
Truman described the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine as 'Two halves of the Same Walnut'
he Marshall plan was the way in which the Truman Doctrine was put into
practises. Help for those who wished to resist communism