Truman Doctrine Research Paper

The Truman Doctrine was announced to the world on March 12, 1947. War had destroyed Europe, as well as other parts of the world for six years. At the conclusion of war the United States had become the leading “democratic” and “free enterprise” country of the world. The threat of the spread of “communism” from the Soviet Union who threatening the democratic freedom of which the United States had long cherished. President Harry Truman presented the “Truman Doctrine” before a joint session of Congress in a speech in which he “appealed to the American people and Congress not to turn a deaf ear to the Greek Government.” In the speech lasting 18 minutes, the words “free and or freedom” were stated 24 times. The purpose behind the Truman Doctrine
was to provide “financial and economic assistance” to the countries of Greece and Turkey. Then the pointed members from Truman regarding freedom were directed at the Soviet Union and its attempt to secure a sphere of intelligence over the weakened countries from world war. These words took direct aim on the spirit of communism. Prior to the Great War and the second world war Europe was an accumulation of small countries with secret alliance to different countries of Europe. The middle eastern countries were ruled by different countries of Europe. With the resulting devastation of these wars two super power countries arose with different styles of political and economic structures. Communism with its government controlled economic society and the free enterprise, capitalism was at ideological odds with each other. Truman presented to congress and the people a report by the United Nations Security Council of “disturbing conditions” along the northern border of Greece. “With the problem regaining immediate action and the United Nations not able to extend required help” Truman took action to put the United States in the role of the leader to aid the Greek people. As part of this plan Truman felt that the “future of Turkey as an independent nation was no less important.” Truman stated “every nation must choose between alternative ways of life.” There were two choices of their lives.
One choice is based upon the “majority” is “free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individuals liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression.” The other option for the way of life is “the will of the minority forcibly imposed upon the majority.” “Relies upon terror and oppression a controlled press and radio, fixed elections, and the suppression of personal freedoms.” These were the two options of life to choose from the Truman mentioned in the “Truman Doctrine.” “If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world – and we shall surely endanger the welfare of this nation.” With this threat to the way of life and the freedoms of choices, Truman chose to make a stand that America would halt the speed of communism by providing the economic and financial needs of Greece and Turkey. It began with the Truman Doctrine announced in 1947 and continued with the “Marshall Plan” and the “Berlin Air-lift” in the summer of 1948. These two followed in the footsteps of the Truman Doctrine as a result of the success of aiding Greece and
Turkey.