The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan Do Now: What can you infer about Stalin’s reaction to the Truman Doctrine from the political cartoon shown . Extension: What do you think the Truman Doctrine might have been? L.O: Can I explain the impact of the Truman Doctrine & the Marshall Plan?
So, what was the Truman Doctrine? In 1947, a civil war in Greece, highlighted how poor it was, and Truman decided to get involved. Britain had been trying to help Greece after they had freed it from Nazi control in 1944, but Britain just wasn’t wealthy enough. Communists were forming a resistance in Greece, and trying to turn it Communist too. Britain went to the USA for help. Truman went to congress, and they granted Greece and Turkey $400million to protect them from Communist influence. With the help of American arms and money the communist threat was defeated by 1949, and Turkey was able to resist Communist pressure too. This showed the world that the USA weren’t going to revert back to Isolationism, and Truman vowed to try and stop the spread of Communism, this was know as the ‘policy of containment.’ Your Task: Read through the notes on the Truman Doctrine on Page 76, highlighting and annotating key details. Imagine you’re President Truman. Write a speech to the American people, explaining 1) what the Truman Doctrine is 2) Why you have decided to give away this much money (remember, many Americans were still strong Isolationists 3) How it is going to benefit the USA in the long run. NB: Be sure to mention and explain Truman’s ‘Policy of Containment’
What about the Marshall Plan? The Marshall plan was the other half of the Truman doctrine. The economies all over Europe were in ruins, and many European countries were being tempted by Communism. George Marshall, was sent by Truman to go to Europe and see first-hand what the situation was. He reported back to congress in the USA that he needed $17billion dollars in European aid. Congress was about to refuse when Jan Masaryk, a minister supporting the west and Capitalism was murdered in Czechoslovakia. This was just after many non-communists were killed in the Czechoslovakia, and the USA were persuaded that they needed to act. Marshall aid was given to 16 countries to improve agriculture and build up industry. Stalin prevented any Communist countries in the East from receiving Marshall Aid. Stalin claimed that the USA were bribing countries , so they would depend on the USA and join them against the USSR.
What is the message of this source? What is the purpose of this source? How useful is this source in telling us about the Marshall Plan? How reliable is this source? An American propaganda poster, published by the US government in 1948.
What does this say about Marshall Aid? “The ruling gang of American imperialists has taken the path of open expansion, of enslaving weakened capitalist countries. It has hatched new war plans against the Soviet Union. Imitating Hitler, the new aggressors are using blackmail.” GM Malenkov, a Soviet politician, speaking in 1947 about the Marshall Plan.
Watch the following clip Anti-Communist Propaganda Film What is the message in this clip? How are America and Russia Portrayed?
And finally.......... A 'nice' children's film identify the Soviet reaction to the Marshall plan using source material
The Truman doctrine and Marshall Aid Between 1947-51 12 billion dollars was given in aid! Vital help for recovery. However, Stalin refused Marshall Aid and banned Eastern European countries under the USSR's control from accepting it. This created tension on both sides. Helping European countries to recover also meant creating a market for US exports. Also (although not publicly admitted) it was a clear aim to prevent the spread of Communism. Stalin saw this as America trying to buy support. Truman saw war ravaged Europe as a "breeding ground" for Communism. He felt it was vital to encourage countries to become prosperous again - to recover from the war. US Secretary of State, George Marshall, proposed Marshall Aid (also know as the Marshall Plan) Truman was determined that the USA would not live in isolation. The Truman Doctrine aimed to contain Communism, but not push it back - known as Containment. Offered assistance to "all free peoples" resisting "attempted subjugation". The Truman doctrine and Marshall Aid After WWI Greece appeared to be 'under threat' from Communism. Britain was unable to support Greece (as it had done in the past). In 1947 Greece was under attack from Communist rebels and asked the USA for help. Truman was concerned about the spread of Communism and was determined to take action. He offered arms, supplies and money to Greece. Communism in Greece was defeated by 1949 following a civil war.