The Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan

Question 1

Why did events in Greece change US policy?

Answer 1

Truman was informed in 1947 that Britain could no longer afford to keep troops in Greece and Turkey. If Britain withdrew these countries could well come under the influence of Stalin. Truman, therefore, paid for the troops to be kept there and gave financial backing to the two countries. This was the beginning of the US policy of containment.

Question 2

What was the Truman Doctrine

Answer 2

Truman announced this change of policy from isolation to containment to the world in a speech in March 1947 (he made it clear that the USA was prepared to assist any country under the threat of communism. Truman stated that choosing democracy over communism was like choosing good over evil. The USA would send troops and money to stop communism from spreading. This was known as CONTAINMENT.

Question 3

What was Marshall aid?

Answer 3

Truman believed poverty and hardship were the breeding grounds for communism, and he, therefore, provided billions of dollars for the wrecked economies of Europe. Between 1948 and 1952 the USA gave $12.7 billion to Western Europe. He also wanted these economies to recover so that they could provide a market for US-produced goods.

Question 4

What was the Soviet response to the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 4

Stalin thought it showed that the USA was trying to to extend its influence in Europe. He argued that Marshall plan was a way of using economic strength to divide Europe in two. He called it dollar imperialism.

Question 5

What impact did the Truman Doctrine have on international relations after 1947?

Answer 5

• The USA was now in direct opposition to the USSR
• Stalin’s suspicions of the West were reinforced
• Europe was now divided into two economic and political
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Question 6

What did Stalin set up to rival the Marshall Plan?

Answer 6

Comecon, 1949

Question 7

What did Comecon allow?

Answer 7

Aimed to support economic development in member state/trade and industrial planning across across Eastern European countries. Trade with the west was discouraged.

Question 8

What was Cominform?

Answer 8

Set up in response to the Truman Doctrine. Political organisation, included the USSR , Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and Poland.
Yugoslavia was expelled in 1948.
It directed and controlled the governments of satellite states and made sure they took orders from Moscow.