Truman's Foreign Policy During The Vietnam War

During Truman’s first term he dealt with many foreign policy issues. After the honeymoon period the Allies had major success in Europe and ended the war against Nazi Germany. Truman issued the proclamation of V-E Day on May 8, 1945, which happened to be his 61st birthday. Shortly after Truman attended the Potsdam conference. But in August the Japanese government refused to surrender as it was specifically outlined in the Potsdam Declaration. So with the invasion of mainland Japan imminent, Truman then decided to approve the dropping of the two atomic bombs. Truman knew that dropping the bombs would save many lives on both sides. It was estimated that the invasion of Japan could take a year and result in thousands of American casualties and
With the Soviet union gaining more control in Europe Truman declared a hardline against the USSR. The Soviets believed they could achieve world domination. So Truman came up with the Truman doctrine which was in favor of Soviet containment. The Truman doctrines main pledge was that America would support nations threatened by Soviet communism. Truman told Congress that "it must be the policy of the United States to support free people who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures." In order to help rebuild war torn Western Europe Truman and George Marshall created the Marshall plan which was an aid package that gave over $13 billion to help rebuild Western European economies after the end of World War II. The plan operated for four years. As part of the Cold War strategy Truman created the national security act of 1947, this act merged the Armed Forces and also created the FBI. Truman was very torn about what to do with China because the nationalists and communists were fighting a civil war. On one hand the nationalists had been allies of the United States and provided support for them but Truman that the Nationalists would never win on their