The Truman Doctrine and Marshall Aid

1947

Source Focus - The Truman Doctrine Skill = source analysis and evaluation

‘’The peoples of a number of countries of the world have recently had totalitarian regimes

forced upon them in violation of the Yalta agreement ... now, every nation must choose between

alternative ways of life. One way is based upon the will of the majority, free elections, freedom of

speech and freedom from political oppression. The second way of life is based upon the will of a

minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror, a controlled press and radio;

fixed elections, and the suppression of personal freedoms. I believe that it must be the policy of

the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation. I believe that

our help should be primarily economic and financial. If we falter in our leadership, we may

endanger the peace of the world -- and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation.

Great responsibilities have been placed upon us by the swift movement of events. I therefore ask

the Congress to provide authority for assistance to Greece and Turkey in the amount of

$400,000,000 while they repair the damages of war. It is necessary only to glance at a map to

realize that the survival and integrity of the Greek nation are of grave importance in a much wider

situation. Confusion and disorder might well spread throughout the entire Middle East.

The effect will be far reaching to the west as well as to the east.”

US President Harry Truman in a speech to the US Congress.

12th March, 1947.

How does Truman believe they should help?

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What is the ‘best’ quote from this speech?

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The dangers of not helping?

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Who does Truman believe the U.S should help?

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Primary, secondary or tertiary source?

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U.S. Response to Soviet Expansion - Greece + Marshall Plan Learn: why the USA supported the Greek monarchists Understand: the importance of the Truman Doctrine

What was happening in Greece? highlight the circle on the map to identify Greece

As you can have learned, ________ had taken control of much of Eastern Europe after WW2. These ’Eastern _____’ countries essentially became _______ states ruled from ________ (the capital of the USSR). Hence, many were unwillingly forced into communist rule. _________ was the only country in Eastern Europe not yet part of the Eastern ______ . After the _______ left in 1944 two groups wanted power. On the left, _________, wanted Greece to join the Soviet Bloc, while on the right, ___________ aimed for a return of Royal family. The monar-chists had been aided by __________who had sent troops there in 1945 to ‘keep order’. The situation descended into civil war by 1946, Britain, weak from war, told the USA it could not _______ to keep its soldiers there. It seemed Greece would also ______ under ______’s grip.

The Truman Doctrine - March 1947 In response to Britain's announcement that she would have to remove troops from Greece, the USA sent aid to help Britain pay to keep them there. However, the US President, Harry Truman, wanted to do more. In March, 1947, he gave a speech to the US Congress. This speech would later be termed the Truman Doctrine.

Summarise the Truman Doctrine:

1: _______________________________ 2: _______________________________ 3: _______________________________ 4: _______________________________

Why was the Truman Doctrine significant?

1: _______________________________ 2: _______________________________ 3: _______________________________

4: ____________________________________

Stalin Bloc x 2 Fall Communists Greece Afford

Puppet Nazis Moscow Stalin Monarchists Britain

Marshall Plan = European Recovery Plan - June 1947

In June, 1947, the US foreign secretary, George Marshall travelled to Europe. He was shocked at the damage and devastation he saw as a result of WW2. He believed every country in Europe was so poor it was in danger of falling to communism. He felt that US financial aid was needed thus ‘Marshall Aid’ was authorised.,, $13 billion dollars given freely to European countries. Winston Churchill described Marshall Aid as...‘‘The most unselfish act in history’. Do you agree with Churchill’s view?

Yes / No : ______________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

The Soviet Response to the U.S. Response!

In theory, Marshall Aid was available to all war-torn countries but in reality communist states were not given money. Regardless, Stalin saw this aid as an attack on communism. His foreign minister, Molotov, described Marshall Aid as ‘Dollar imperialism.’ Communist countries were told to reject any help, instead offered his own economic solution - this was called Comecon.

Greece 1944 -1950

1941

1944

1945

1945

1946

1947

1947

1947

1947

1947

1950

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V

Greece 1944 -1950

1941 Nazis invade Greece

1944 Nazi troops leave Greece

1945 End Of WW2

1945 British soldiers arrive

1946 Greek Civil War begins

1947 British soldiers to leave?

1947 U.S. funds the British army

1947 The ‘Truman Doctrine’

1947 Marshall aid begins

1947 Stalin blocks Marshall Aid

1950 Monarchists crush communists

What was happening in Greece? ( Greece is highlighted on the map )

As you can have learned, Stalin had taken control of much of eastern Europe after WW2. These ’Eastern Bloc’ countries essentially became puppet states ruled from Moscow (the capital of the USSR). Hence, many were un-willingly forced into communist rule. Greece was the only country in Eastern Europe not yet part of the Eastern Bloc. After the Nazis left in 1944 two groups wanted power. On the left, communists, wanted Greece to join the Soviet Bloc, while on the right, Monarchists aimed for a return of Royal family. The monarchists had been aided by Britain who had sent troops there in 1945 to ‘keep order’. The situation descended into civil war by 1946, Brit-ain, also weak from war, told the USA it could not afford to keep its soldiers there. It seemed Greece would also fall under Stalin’s grip.

The Truman Doctrine : March 1947 . In response to Britain's announcement that she would have to remove troops from Greece, the USA sent aid to help Britain pay to keep them there. However, the US President, Harry Tru-man, wanted to do more. In March, 1947, he gave a speech to the US Congress. This speech would later be termed the Truman Doctrine.

Summarise the Truman Doctrine:

1: _______________________________ 2: _______________________________ 3: _______________________________ 4: _______________________________

Why was the Truman Doctrine significant?

1: _______________________________ 2: _______________________________ 3: _______________________________

4: ____________________________________

Stalin Bloc x 2 Fall Communists Greece Afford

Puppet Nazis Moscow Stalin Monarchists Britain

Marshall Plan = European Recovery Plan In June, 1947 the U.S. foreign secretary, George Marshall travelled to Europe. He was shocked at the damage and devastation he saw as a result of WW2. He believed every country in Europe was so poor it was in danger of falling to communism. He felt that US financial aid was needed thus ‘Marshall Aid’ was authorised.,, $13 billion dollars given freely to European countries. Winston Churchill described Marshall Aid as...‘‘The most unselfish act in history’. Do you agree with Churchill’s view?

Yes / No : _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

The Soviet Response to the American Response!

In theory, Marshall Aid was available to all war-torn countries but in reality communist states were not given money. Regardless, Stalin saw this aid as an attack on communism. His foreign minister, Molotov, described Marshall Aid as ‘Dollar imperialism.’ Communist countries were told to reject any help, instead offered his own economic solution - this was called Comecon.

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V

U.S. Response to Soviet Expansion - Greece + Marshall Plan Learn: why the USA supported the Greek monarchists Understand: the importance of the Truman Doctrine

The Cartoon About A Bear and A Man Mission: to analyse and evaluate this cartoon from 1948.

Message of the cartoon (write this AFTER completing DEC process)

Describe the main features of the cartoon.

Explain what each of these features means / represents

Context: what historical event is this cartoon about?

Reliable or Not? (Circle a score below)

Unreliable 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Reliable

By American Cartoonist - Marcus Edwin

Published in the New York Times, March 1948.

Cold War Origins Recap ...

Truman Doctrine

Yalta

Potsdam

‘’Iron Curtain’’

USSR Buffer Zone

Civil War in Greece

Marshal Plan

Marshall Aid

‘’Dollar Imperialism’‘

COMECON