Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan

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How did the Truman Doctrine Emerge?

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Important Events Leading to the Truman Doctrine of 1947

Kennan's Long Telegram, February 1946

In February 1946 a diplomat in the American embassy in Moscow, George Kennan, sent a memorandum to the Secretary of State, James Byrnes, discussing the position of the USSR in the post-war world. In his top-secret long telegram, Kennan, an expert on Russian history, argued that Russia had always been an expansionist power and that this would continue under communism. He suggested that the Soviets generally behaved in a rational and logical way and, therefore, could be 'contained' since they were unlikely to risk war with the US:

"Soviet power, unlike that of Hitlerite Germany, is neither schematic nor adventuristic. It does not work by fixed plans. It does not take unnecessary risks... It is highly sensitive to logic of force. For this reason, it can easily withdraw—and usually does when strong resistance is encountered at any point. Thus, if the adversary has sufficient force and makes clear his readiness to use it, he rarely has to do so."

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Churchill's Fulton Speech, March 1946

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The following month, the British wartime leader, Winston Churchill, visited the US. He gave a speech in Fulton, Missouri (Truman's home state) on the evolving Soviet threat to the democratic states of Europe and the world. He clearly outlined the problem that had arisen in Europe in the 12 months since the end of the war:

"From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe. Warsaw, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest and Sofia, all these famous cities and the populations around them lie in what I must call the Soviet sphere, and all are subject in one form or another, not only to Soviet influence but to a very high and, in many cases, increasing measure of control from Moscow."

Churchill's solution was remarkably similar to Kennan's: the only thing the Soviets respected was force, and the threat of force could be used to stop the spread of Soviet power.

"From what I have seen of our Russian friends and allies during the war, I am convinced that there is nothing they admire so much as strength, and there is nothing for which they have less respect than for weakness, especially military weakness."

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The Doctrine, March 1947

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The Truman Doctrine and the idea of containment in and of itself was born out of the fact that the Soviets were spreading their influence "too quickly" for Americas liking, and the Soviets were not willing to co-operate with the US at all. (Bear in mind, these are US-centric causes, remember, history and opinions are subjective!!).

In March 1947, President Truman made a famous speech to Congress in which he outlined what became known as the Truman Doctrine. He stated that the US would support countries resisting communism. The immediate concerns were Greece and Turkey. Greece was facing a communist uprising, and Turkey was under pressure from the Soviet Union. Truman asked Congress for $400 million in military and economic aid for these countries.

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One could argue that the Truman Doctrine had 3 core elements attached to it:

1. Containment: The main idea of the Truman Doctrine was to contain, or stop, the spread of communism. This policy aimed to support free people who were resisting attempts by armed minorities or outside pressures.
2. Military and Economic Aid: The US provided financial and military help to countries threatened by communism, showing its commitment to fighting the spread of Soviet influence.
3. Global Responsibility: The Truman Doctrine signalled that the US would take on a leadership role in world affairs, actively working to prevent the spread of communism.

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But Did it Work?

That is really up to you to decide. The commonly held belief is that although containment did face its struggles, it worked relatively well overall.

Ultimately, the Truman Doctrine was a turning point in US foreign policy. It led to increased US involvement in global conflicts (Berlin Blockade, Korean War, Vietnam War and Cuban Missile Crisis), and laid the groundwork for American actions throughout the Cold War. It showed that the US was prepared to support any nation threatened by communism, which had long-lasting effects on international relations.

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The Marshall Plan in a Nutshell

The Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Program, was an initiative launched by the United States in 1948 to help rebuild Europe after World War II.

Named after Secretary of State George Marshall, who proposed it, the plan provided over $12 billion (around $130 billion today) in economic aid to Western European countries.

The goal was to restore the economies of war-torn nations, prevent the spread of communism, and foster stability and peace in the region. The Marshall Plan is considered one of the most successful foreign aid programs in history.

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Goals of the Marshall Plan

The Marshall Plan had several key goals:

4. The primary aim was to rebuild and modernise the economies of European countries devastated by the war. By providing financial assistance, the US hoped to jump-start industrial and agricultural production.
5. Another critical goal was to stop the spread of communism. (This directly relates to the containment discussed above). By helping European nations recover economically, the US believed they would be less likely to fall under Soviet influence.
6. The plan sought to create a stable and prosperous Europe, which would contribute to lasting peace and prevent future conflicts.
7. By supporting European recovery, the US aimed to strengthen its political and economic ties with these countries, fostering a sense of cooperation and mutual benefit.

Did it Work?

The Marshall Plan is widely regarded as a success for several reasons:

8. The plan led to significant economic growth in Western Europe. Industrial production increased, and many countries experienced rapid recovery and modernization.
9. The Marshall Plan helped prevent the spread of communism in Western Europe by boosting economic stability. Countries that received aid were better equipped to resist Soviet influence.
10. The aid improved living conditions for millions of Europeans. Better infrastructure, increased employment opportunities, and more stable economies improved people's lives significantly.
11. The Marshall Plan fostered stronger political and economic ties between the US and Western European nations. This cooperation laid the groundwork for future alliances, such as NATO.
12. The success of the Marshall Plan had lasting effects, contributing to the long-term prosperity and stability of Europe. It also set a precedent for future international aid programs.

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Soviet response to Containment in the Early Stages (Valuable Context)

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In the early stages of the Cold War, the Soviet Union responded aggressively to the US policy of containment. Containment aimed to stop the spread of communism, and the Soviet Union saw this as a direct threat to its influence.

13. One of the first major confrontations was the Berlin Blockade in 1948-1949. In response to the merging of the American, British, and French zones of Germany and the introduction of a new currency, Stalin blocked all ground routes to West Berlin. This was an attempt to force the Allies out of the city. The US and its allies responded with the Berlin Airlift, putting containment into action by supplying West Berlin with food and fuel by air until Stalin lifted the blockade.
14. To counter the Marshall Plan, the Soviet Union established the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON) in 1949. This was an economic organization to support Eastern Bloc countries and integrate their economies with the Soviet Union, promoting economic cooperation and development within the communist sphere.
15. The Soviet Union provided support to communist movements and parties in various countries. In Greece, for example, the Soviets backed communist insurgents during the Greek Civil War. In Asia, they supported communist forces in Korea and China, leading to the establishment of communist governments in those countries.
16. The Soviet Union solidified its control over Eastern Europe, installing pro-Soviet governments in countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and East Germany. These satellite states were crucial in creating a buffer zone against Western influence and furthering Soviet dominance in the region.
17. In 1955, in response to NATO's formation, the Soviet Union established the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance of communist nations. This formalized the division between East and West, creating a clear opposition to the US-led alliance system. This is essential to know, especially if you wish to write on Truman, the foundation of NATO, and the development of containment.

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