The Truman Doctrine & Marshall Aid (Edexcel GCSE History)

The Importance of the Truman Doctrine & the Marshall Plan - Summary

After 1945, many European countries were poor and struggling to rebuild after the destruction and damage caused by the Second World War. These countries were particularly vulnerable to communism, as people wanted wealth to be redistributed and given to those in need.

After the UK announced in 1947 that they could no longer support Greece and Turkey in their fight against communist rebels, the USA took over by providing them with lots of money. They did not want Greece and Turkey to become satellite states of the Soviet Union as other countries had become.

President Truman believed that countries could either become communist and live under restrictions and oppression, or become democracies where they could prosper and have free elections. This became known as the ‘Truman Doctrine’.

Truman believed that richer countries would find it easier to resist communism. Therefore, the Marshall Plan was created to provide countries across Europe with economic aid.

The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan angered the Soviet Union. Stalin believed that the USA had deliberately split Europe in two and that it was clear the USA was trying to spread its capitalist beliefs.For the USA, their policy of isolationism had been abandoned, and replaced by a desire to contain communism in Eastern Europe.

Why did the US Help Greece and Turkey?

• Greece and Turkey were both struggling to prevent a communist takeover of their governments

• The UK announced it could not longer provide military support to the Greek government

• Truman was worried about the spread of communism and decided to take action

• On 12th March 1947, Truman announced that the USA would send $400 million to both Greece and Turkey

• By 1949, the communists in Greece had been defeated

What was the Truman Doctrine?

• At the same time as announcing his support for Turkey and Greece, Truman also spoke about how nations have two alternative ways of life:

What was the ‘Truman Doctrine’?

• The Truman Doctrine marked a new approach of the USA towards other countries:

  • Before the Second World War, the USA had followed a policy of isolationism by not getting involved in the affairs of other countries

  • With the spread of communism in Europe, isolationism was replaced by the policy of containment

What was the Marshall Plan?

• Truman hoped that countries would choose the ‘first way’ of his doctrine and reject communism

• However, after the destruction of the Second World War, many people saw communism as a way to redistribute wealth and improve their lives

• Truman realised that the USA would need to help poorer countries to prevent them from becoming communist

• After a visit to Europe, General George Marshall told Truman that ‘every’ country in Europe was at risk of turning to communism because of how poor they were

• He recommended that the USA provide these countries with economic aid to turn them away from communism

• The US congress passed the Marshall Plan after Czechoslovakia became communist in 1948

What Economic Benefits did the Marshall Plan Provide?

• Before the plan was passed, $12.7 billion had already been given to other countries

• The Marshall Plan gave away $13 billion to 16 European countries in Western Europe:

The amount of money given to each country ($ billion)

• Money was distributed based on the population and pre-war economy of each country

• It was described as a ‘lifeline to sinking men’ by the British foreign secretary, Ernest Bevin

• The Marshall Plan was offered to the satellite states of Eastern Europe but Truman knew that Stalin would not allow them to accept the money

Why did the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan Increase Cold War Tensions?

• Stalin saw the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan as a threat to communism and the Soviet Union

• He also believed that the USA was undermining the role of The United Nations, which should be the group providing money to other countries

• Stalin called the Marshall Plan ‘dollar imperialism’ because of how the USA was trying to expand its ‘empire’ using money

• The Marshall Plan had divided the West from the East:

  • Satellite states were in support of the Soviet Union

  • Recipients of the Marshall Plan supported the USA

• The Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan drastically increased Cold War tension