The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan

What broke out in Greece after the Second World War?

A civil war between the government and communist forces

Who helped the Greek government fight against communist forces?

Britain

What did the British announce in early 1947?

They could no longer afford to support the Greek government and asked the USA to do so

When did Truman make a speech announcing the Truman Doctrine?

12th March 1947

What did the Truman Doctrine state?

**Containment** - would give military & economic aid to countries at risk of becoming communist

**Helping Greece** - would send money & soldires to Greece

The communist way of life was evil

Why did Truman introduce the Truman Doctrine in March 1947?

Communism was spreading in Eastern Europe

Western politicians encouraged Truman to take a tougher stance against the USSR

The USA was the only country in the West that could afford to support countries

Why was the Truman Doctrine significant?

They had followed isolationism prior

How did Stalin react to the Truman Doctrine?

Felt more vulnerable and continued to create his ‘sphere of influence’

Increased his control over communist governments in Eastern Europe by creating Cominform in September 1947

What was Cominform?

Political organisation formed in September 1947 to ensure they had control over communist governments

What was the economic situation in Europe after the war?

Dreadful - lots were severely damaged by the war

Why did the USA believe that giving countries economic aid would prevent communism from spreading?

They’d be more likely to support communist ideas if they were living in poverty

What economic programme did America introduce in 1947 in order to contain communism?

Marshall Plan

What was the aim of the Marshall Plan?

Containment through economic aid

How much aid was the USA giving to Western European countries from 1948-52?

$12.7 billion

Why did communist countries in Eastern Europe not receive this aid?

Stalin banned them

How did Stalin react to the introduction of the Marshall Plan?

Accused them of ‘dollar imperialism’ and condemned them

What organisation did Stalin set up after the Marshall Plan to aid communist countries?

Comecon

What was Comecon?

Econmic organisation formed in January 1949 to support the economy of communist countries

How did Comecon influence trade amongst communist countries?

Encouraged it