Truman doctrine + Marshall Plan + Cominform and Comecon 1947-49

Question 1

What was the Truman Doctrine

Answer 1

• formed in 1947 by Truman

- US policy of containment- using US influence and military resources to stop spread of communism

Question 2

Why was the Truman Doctrine formed ?

Answer 2

• USA believed USSR was trying to spread communism- through east and then into west and beyond
• USA had atomic bomb, wanted to use this and its economic strength to put pressure on USSR and prevent further expansion

Question 3

What was happening in Greece?

Answer 3

• At Yalta, was agreed that GB would have influence in Greece
• GB helping royalist government fight communist forces since 1944 and won elections in 1946, communists got help from neighbouring communist countries
• GB gave 40,000 troops and money to Greece and turkey (also under threat), couldn’t afford to give money anymore and USA stepped in with financial aid

Question 4

Why was the speech made by Truman announcing USA support of Greece in March 1947 important?

Answer 4

• turning point in US foreign policy
• USA was barely involved in affairs of Europe, but was now committing to policy of containment (Truman Doctrine)
• announced USA would use economic and military strength to protect the world

Question 5

Consequences of the Truman Doctrine

Answer 5

• Greek government defeated communists
• Tensions increased (Truman’s public statement that world was divided)
• USA committed to policy of containment and more involved in European affairs
• Led to Marshall Plan
• Led to Cominform in 1947

Question 6

What was the Marshall Plan and when was it formed?

Answer 6

• Truman backed up his policy of containment with ‘Marshall Plan’ in June 1947
• $13bln. to European countries who had suffered during WW2

Question 7

Why was the Marshall Plan introduced?

Answer 7

• Believed that communism usually won support in countries that had unemployment and poverty (made sure everyone had enough)
• Lots of Europe were economically struggling and if USA could aid these countries and help them recover economically ,they wouldn’t turn to communism
• counties must trade with USA to get money ( boosts US economy)

Question 8

Consequences of the Marshall Plan

Answer 8

• increased tensions- Stalin felt threatened and accused USA of using plan for own gain
• rebuilt economy in countries
• Europe more divided between east and west- Stalin refused to let east use Marshall aid

Question 9

How Marshall Plan affected Superpower Tensions

Answer 9

• Both wanted to be seen as the most powerful in Europe and neither could go to open war
• Increased tensions

Question 10

What was Cominform?

Answer 10

• Communist Information Bureau set up in 1947
• enabled Soviet Union to coordinate communist parties through Europe
• response to Truman Doctrine

Question 11

What was Cominform put in place to ensure?

Answer 11

• satellite states followed Soviet aims in foreign policy
• introduced Soviet style economic policies (collectivisation of agriculture) and state control of industry
• USSR used organisation to purge any members who disagreed (e.g. Tito in Yugoslavia was expelled in 1948)

Question 12

What was Comecon?

Answer 12

• Council for Mutual Assistance, founded in 1949
• response to Marshall Plan
• means by which USSR could provide financial aid to Eastern Europe

Question 13

What was Comecon REALLY used for?

Answer 13

• USSR to control economies of these states
• USSR access to their resources
• encourage economic specialisation in the Soviet Bloc (Czech and East Germany = heavy industry , Romania Hungary Bulgaria = food and raw materials)

Question 14

Consequences of Cominform and Comecon

Answer 14

• Increased tensions
• Led to creation of NATO in 1949
• confirmed division of east and west
• Stalin had more control over Satellite states
• USSR gained economically from Comecon