Harry Truman's Key Policies
Containment
- Definition: Aimed to prevent the spread of communism beyond its existing borders.
- Implementation:
- Truman Doctrine: Promised support to countries resisting communism, starting with Greece and Turkey in 1947.
- Marshall Plan: Provided economic aid to rebuild Europe, stabilizing economies to resist communist influence.
Containment became the foundation of U.S. foreign policy throughout the Cold War, influencing decisions in Korea, Vietnam, and beyond.
Truman Doctrine
- Announced: March 12, 1947.
- Purpose: To support free peoples resisting subjugation by armed minorities or outside pressures.
- Impact:
- Marked a shift from isolationism to active global engagement.
- Justified U.S. involvement in conflicts like the Korean War.
The Truman Doctrine led to $400 million in aid to Greece and Turkey, preventing communist takeovers in both countries.
Marshall Plan (European Recovery Program)
- Launched: 1948.
- Goals:
- Rebuild war-torn Europe.
- Prevent the spread of communism by stabilizing economies.
- Results:
- Over $13 billion in aid to 16 countries.
- Fostered economic recovery and strengthened U.S. alliances.
The Marshall Plan was not just economic, it was a strategic tool to counter Soviet influence in Western Europe.
