American foreign policy - The Truman Doctrine.

What were the consequences of the Truman Doctrine?

1. Greece and Turkey were given financial aid and they did not succumb to communism.  
2. Increased tension between the USA and the USSR.  It formalised the Cold War, since direct action was taken against communism by the Americans.  
3. There was some criticism of the policy.  Truman was accused of starting half a century of fear.  
4. America became committed to internationalism with the policy of containment (as opposed to the former isolationism).  
5. Stalin tried to strengthen the links with Eastern Europe and the rest of the world by establishing Comniform (1947).  This intimidated the countries of Western Europe.  

The Domino Theory

Between 1945 and 1949, the Americans developed a policy called containment (keeping a country’s power within limits and not letting it spread any further).  This involved using their power and wealth to stop the spread of communism.  They prevented communism spreading into Western Europe with the help of the Marshall Plan, NATO and the creation of West Germany.  America was determined to prevent communism spreading throughout the world.  

The phrase “Domino Theory” comes from Eisenhower – president after Truman (thus Truman had not heard of Domino Theory).  The government believed in this Domino Theory, which describes the countries of the region as a row of dominos placed on end; when one is pushed over, the rest inevitably topple.  The USA saw communists attempting to “push over” Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand etc.  America felt that it was up to her to prevent countries in Southeast Asia and Western Europe from falling prey to the evils of communism.  

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The Marshall Plan (June 1947)

        This was announced in June 1947 by US secretary of state (key advisor to the president) General George Marshall.  It was the economic strand of the Truman Doctrine.  

What was it?

1. A programme of aid to help war-torn Europe re-equip its factories and revive agriculture and trade.  
2. It involved America giving money, equipment and goods to countries which were willing to work together to create economic recovery.  
3. In return for Marshall aid, countries agreed to buy American goods, give information about their economic situation and allow American companies to invest capital in their industries.  

Why was it introduced?

POLITICAL BENEFITS – prosperous countries would be able to resist the spread of communism;

“The seeds of communism spread and grow in the evil soil of poverty” (Marshall)

ECONOMIC BENEFITS – clearly, the Europeans would benefit from this investment in their economy, but it was also believed that recession would be avoided in America if they increased their trade options.  

“Our policy is directed, not against country or doctrine (ideology), but against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos.”  (Marshall)

Fact file

Between 1948 and 1952, $13 billion was given to 16 European countries.  

Most went to Britain and France.  

At first, the money went on food, animal feed and fertilisers to raise agricultural production.  

Later on, dollar aid stimulated the production of machinery, vehicles and fuel.  

Europe worked together to plan and use the money, setting up the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC).  

Marshall Aid was offered to the USSR and its communist satellites, but Stalin refused to accept it for either.  

What were the consequences of the Marshall Plan?

1. Increased tension with the Soviet Union.  
2. By 1950, production had risen by 25% of pre-war levels in Western Europe.  
3. There were improved relations between America and Western Europe and America increased her influence over this area.  
4. Western European economies and their quality of life improved.  
5. Trade with America increased substantially.  
6. Stalin refused to accept the aid for Russia or the satellite states.  He set up Comecon in 1949 to encourage economic co-operation in Eastern Europe.  
7. The countries which benefited from Marshall Aid did not fall to communism.  
8. 16 Western European states set up the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC) to put the Plan into action.  

Why did Stalin refuse Marshall Aid on behalf of the USSR and the satellite states?

1. Accepting help would have suggest that capitalism was stronger than communism.  
2. One stipulation of the Doctrine was that the country would have to give details of its economy to America, and Stalin did not want to have to show his enemy how weak his economy was.  
3. He did not want America to have control over Russia in any way, which she would have gained if Russia had established trade links and allowed American investment in her industries.  
4. He did not allow the satellite states to accept aid because it would have given the Americans a foothold in the Iron Curtain, weakening the USSR’s position.  

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Should the USSR have felt threatened by the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan?

1. Yes – the Truman Doctrine took a clear stance against communism, the ideology of the USSR.  
2. Yes – by making this Doctrine, Truman was formalising the Cold War, therefore there was no longer any doubt that relations had turned hostile.  
3. Yes – the Marshall Plan would build up the economies of Western Europe, leaving the USSR in a weaker position.  
4. No – the Truman Doctrine did not specifically mention trying to stop communism.  
5. No – the Truman Doctrine’s aim was to prevent the spread of communism, not to destroy it within areas where it was already established.  
6. No – the Marshall Plan was also offered to the USSR and her satellite states.