US Containment

Question 1

When and why did the rivalry between superpowers intensify ?

Answer 1

1947 due to the US policy of containment especially the Truman Doctrine and Marshall plan

Question 2

When was the Truman Doctrine ? What was it ?

Answer 2

1947
- begging of the us policy of containment meaning US influence and military resources to prevent communist expansion

Question 3

What where the three reasons used to justify the Truman doctrine ?

Answer 3

1947
- Truman believed that the Soviet Union was trying to spread communism
- the USA had the atomic bomd and with its superior economic strength it wanted to put pressure on the Soviet Union
- events where unfolding the Greece

Question 4

What was the background for Greece ? Think Yalta

Answer 4

• at Yalta Churchill and Stalin had agreed Britain would have influence over Greece
• Britain had helped a royalist government against communist whoever the communists had started guerrilla warfare

Question 5

How did Britain react to the communist threat in Greece ? Who helped them and why

Answer 5

-40,000 troops stationed in Greece
- gave money to the Greek government
- 1947 USA is asked to help with financial support
- This marks a point as Truman begins playing a role in European affairs

Question 6

What where the five consequences of the Truman Doctrine ? Greece, tensions, USA, aid and Russian response

Answer 6

1. Greek government is able to defeat communist threat
2. Tensions increase between USA and Russia after Truman’s speech
3. USA committed to policy of containment
4. The USA provided economical aid to Europe know as the Marshall plan
5. 1947 Stalin sets up Cominform

Question 7

What did Truman specifically say which worsened relation considerably ?

Answer 7

In a speech in 1947 after helping Greece Truman argued the world was split in two
- the capitalist free world and the communist not free world

Question 8

When was the Marhsall plan announced and who by ?

Answer 8

• 1947, Truman giving economic aid to Europe as a part of the Truman Doctrine

Question 9

Why was the Marshal plan introduced ?

Answer 9

• Truman didn’t want to commit the US military to defend against communism instead he turned to economic measures
• he knew communism was generally more popular in countries with economic problems
• if the US could give financial aid to these countries then they may be more inclined to not turn to capitalism

Question 10

What aid was given ? 5 different things, what was expected in return

Answer 10

1.Re- equip factories
2.Cash
3.machinery
4.Food
5.Technological assistance
IN RETURN
- buy US goods and allow US companies to invest into their industries

Question 11

What are the four consequences of Marshal aid ?

Answer 11

• invited European countries to work together to economically recover wish as the OEEC being set up
• US provided $17 billion to help countries recover. US machinery was also used
• relations worsen as Europe becomes more divided. Stalin withdraws from talks as he distrusts the USA
• Stalin accuses the USA of using the plan to benefit itself economically and to dominate Europe

Question 12

What was the soviet reaction to the Marshall plan ?

Answer 12

• tension increasing