Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan

Question 1

When did Truman announce the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 1

March 1947

Question 2

What was the Truman Doctrine announced in response to?

Answer 2

British troops withdrawing from Greece - and thus the need for US support

Question 3

What was Truman’s initial request to Congress?

Answer 3

That $400 million be sent to Greece and Turkey to prevent them falling to Communism

Question 4

Complete the quote from Truman. “I believe it must be the policy of the United States to support _________ ____________ who are resisting __________ __________”

Answer 4

free peoples, attempted subjugation (attempts to dominate them)

Question 5

How did Truman believe ‘free peoples’ could be supported?

Answer 5

Through economic and financial aid, to ensure political stability

Question 6

What did Truman’s policy of opposing Communism become known as?

Answer 6

Containment

Question 7

Why did Stalin hate the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 7

He saw it as aggressive, as now the USA were actively opposing Communism

Question 8

Who did Truman send to Europe to assess its economic state?

Answer 8

American General George Marshall

Question 9

What did Marshall find in Europe?

Answer 9

A totally ruined continent with shortages in food and other goods such as coal (making winters awful)

Question 10

How did Churchill describe Europe?

Answer 10

As a “breeding ground of hate”

Question 11

How much did Marshall suggest Europe needed to rebuild?

Answer 11

$17 billion

Question 12

Although Truman agreed that Europe needed money, why did he not send it straight away?

Answer 12

He needed the approval of Congress, which initially refused ($17 billion was an enormous sum of money)

Question 13

Which key event made the US Congress change its mind about the Marshall Plan?

Answer 13

The Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia

Question 14

What happened in Czechoslovakia in March 1948?

Answer 14

• From 1946, Communists had been the largest party, but had ruled as part of a coalition (a govt. of more than one party)
• In 1948, anti-Soviet leaders were purged and Communists took full control
• Jan Masaryk, a pro-American minister, was found dead in suspicious circumstances

Question 15

Who was Jan Masaryk and why was he important?

Answer 15

He was a pro-American Czechoslovak minister. He was found dead in 1948 in suspicious circumstances. His death led to Congress approving the Marshall Plan

Question 16

Why was the Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia important?

Answer 16

It prompted the US Congress to approve the $17 billion in aid for Europe to help prevent Communism spreading further

Question 17

Why was Marshall Aid partly motivated by self-interest?

Answer 17

Because it opened up new markets for American goods (e.g. a prosperous Britain/France could buy from American manufacturers)

Question 18

What did Stalin call the Marshall Plan?

Answer 18

An example of ‘dollar imperialism’ - i.e. the USA trying to spread its influence by making countries dependent on US money

Question 19

What did Stalin forbid eastern European countries to do?

Answer 19

Bid for or accept any Marshall Aid

Question 20

What did Stalin create to combat Marshall Aid?

Answer 20

Comecon (Com – econ)

Question 21

What was Comecon?

Answer 21

An organisation to control economic planning in eastern Europe

Question 22

What did Comecon allow Stalin to do?

Answer 22

Control the economies of eastern Europe for Russia’s benefit

Question 23

When did Stalin establish Comecon?

Answer 23

1949

Question 24

Define ‘doctrine’

Answer 24

A belief