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

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

Answer 4

Through economic and financial aid, to ensure political stability

Question 5

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

Answer 5

Containment

Question 6

Why did Stalin hate the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

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

Answer 7

American General George Marshall

Question 8

What did Marshall find in Europe?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

How did Churchill describe Europe?

Answer 9

As a “breeding ground of hate”

Question 10

How much did Marshall suggest Europe needed to rebuild?

Answer 10

$17 billion

Question 11

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

Answer 11

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

Question 12

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

Answer 12

The Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia

Question 13

What happened in Czechoslovakia in March 1948?

Answer 13

• 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 14

Who was Jan Masaryk and why was he important?

Answer 14

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 15

Why was the Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia important?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Why was Marshall Aid partly motivated by self-interest?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What did Stalin call the Marshall Plan?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What did Stalin forbid eastern European countries to do?

Answer 18

Bid for or accept any Marshall Aid

Question 19

What did Stalin create to combat Marshall Aid?

Answer 19

Comecon (Com – econ)

Question 20

What was Comecon?

Answer 20

An organisation to control economic planning in eastern Europe

Question 21

What did Comecon allow Stalin to do?

Answer 21

Control the economies of eastern Europe for Russia’s benefit

Question 22

When did Stalin establish Comecon?

Answer 22

1949

Question 23

Define ‘doctrine’

Answer 23

A belief