The Cold War Congeals

Information Stalin wanted to secure oil concessions similar to Britain and America. In 1946, Stalin broke an agreement to remove his troops from northern Iran with British and American approval. This land was occupied by the USSR. Truman’s responses to Soviet challenges in 1947 formed the “containment doctrine” which was created by a young diplomat named George F. Kennan. This concept stated that Russia, communist or not, was “relentlessly expansionary” The President went before Congress in 1947 and wanted support for the Truman Doctrine. This “want” was $400 million to support Greece and Turkey. Critics said that Truman had overreacted by promising unlimited support to the communist resisting countries.

Information Truman looked at the Cold War as a battle between “good” and “evil” In France, Italy, and Germany there was still suffering from the hunger and economic entropy from the result of the war. These countries were in serious danger of being taken over by Communist forces, making these already grave problems worse. Secretary of State George C. Marshall invited the Europeans to join together to work out a compromised plan regarding their economic recovery. If they did this, America would provide assistance with finances. This created the European Community (EC), and created later enthusiasm for the creation of the Marshall Plan.

Information The democratic nations of Europe met in Paris in 1947 to create the details for the newly found Marshall Plan. Americans were worried that Russia might terminate the plan to death with their power. The USSR proceeded to call it the “Martial Plan” and claimed it was a capitalist trick. Truman’s Marshall Plan was expensive, but deemed a success. The Communist parties in France and Italy were decaying, ultimately making these two dominant countries safe from the aggression of western communism. Truman knew that the access to Middle Eastern oil was crucial for the rebuilding of Europe, so he decided to make good relations with the state of Israel. Humanitarian sympathy for the Jewish survivors of the Holocaust was ranked high on Truman’s reasons. With these relations made by Truman, in later decades this will become complicated.

Political Cartoon

Political Cartoon

Political Cartoon

Questions Describe the purpose of the Marshall Plan and how its impact on a worldly perception. Analyze the value of oil and oil productions and how those concepts relate to the tension in the Cold War.