1.6 Truman Doctrine and Marshall Aid

Question 1

Why and what was the position of the British economy 1947?

Answer 1

In need of finances
- Post WW2 treaties had been slow
- Harsh winter stopped transport, industry and coal mining

Question 2

What issues arose which Truman therefore needed money to resolve?

Answer 2

• In February 1947, Britain informed the US that financial aid could no longer be supplied to Turkey and Greece.
• September 1946 the Greek Civil War restarted.
• Stalin allowed Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Albania to help Greek Communists

Question 3

When was Truman’s speech to Congress regarding doctrine and Marshall Aid?

Answer 3

12 March 1947

Question 4

What was the aim of Truman’s speech and what would have Stalin’s reaction been?

Answer 4

Manipulating congress to agree with his idea of giving financial aid to Eastern Europe
- Would be angered due to Truman putting down and going against his ideology

Question 5

What was the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 5

• Shaping dynamics of relations from 1947
• Institutionalised the division of the East and the West

Question 6

What were Truman’s possible motives for the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 6

1. Keep the USSR from aiding the Greek communist movement
2. Building the economic power of USA as made other states militarily and economically dependent on USA
3. Demonise USSR and communism to US people and provoke USSR further
4. First step towards containment
5. Protect democracy and freedom as a response to communist expansion in Eastern Europe

Question 7

US aims for Europe

Answer 7

• Reconstruct democratic Europe
• Ensuring economic recovery
• Needed GB for its influence and role within Europe

Question 8

What problems existed in post-war Europe?

Answer 8

• 1947: 16 European countries had a total of $7,500 million trade deficit
• Poor harvests in 1946
• Severe winter 1946-7 causes huge coal shortages.

Question 9

What was the Marshall Plan?

Answer 9

Economic recovery programme for Western Europe

Question 10

How much did Truman ask Congress for and how much did he get for the Marshall Plan?

Answer 10

• Asked for $17 billion
• Received $13 billion

Question 11

What would the Marshall aid provide?

Answer 11

• Fuel
• Raw materials
• Loans
• Food
• Advisers rebuild transport systems

Question 12

Who was the main recipient of the Marshall Plan and how much did they get?

Answer 12

Britain and received $3 billion

Question 13

Impact of the Marshall Plan 1948 - 52

Answer 13

• Huge economic growth
• Stopped spread of Communism
• Accelerated division of Europe

Question 14

What was the USSR’s view and response to the Marshall Plan?

Answer 14

• USSR felt they needed further control across Eastern Europe
• Clear example of American economic imperialism
• Walked out of the Paris Peace Conference and by September had established the Cominform

Question 15

What was COMINFORM?

Answer 15

An organisation created by Stalin for the purpose of exchanging information amongst the communist parties of Europe

Question 16

What were the stated aims of the COMINFORM?

Answer 16

1. To solidify relations amongst the communist parties of Eastern Europe as tools of their foreign policy
2. To act as a device for dealing with Tito and the Communist party of Yugoslavia

Question 17

What were the actual aims of the COMINFORM?

Answer 17

• Mainly to publish propaganda to encourage international communist solidarity
• Obstruct the implementation of the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine

Question 18

What was the difference between TD and MA?

Answer 18

TD is the principle, MP/MA was the action of providing that support to those countries

Question 19

When was the Marshall Aid?

Answer 19

April 3, 1948

Question 20

When was Cominform established?

Answer 20

September 1947