How did the USA react to Soviet expansionism

1
How did the USA react to Soviet expansionism?
2
What will I learn today?

• How did the USA react to USSR expansionism in
  eastern Europe?
• What were the Truman Doctrine and Marshall
  Aid?
• What was the purposes of these measures?
• How successful were they?

3
The American policy of containment

• Stalin saw his policy in eastern Europe as making
  himself secure, but Truman could only see the
  spread of Communism.
• There was little he could do since many of the
  countries involved had been liberated by the
  Soviet Union and there were still troops in the
  area. However, in February 1947 things changed

4
The American policy of containment

• In February 1947 Truman was informed that Britain
  could no longer afford to station troops in
  Greece and Turkey. He knew that the withdrawal
  of British troops would most certainly lead to
  Soviet take over of these countries.
• He therefore paid for the British troops to stay
  in the area and gave financial support to the two
  governments. This was the beginning of the
  American policy of containment preventing the
  further spread of communism.
• This policy was officially announced in March
  1947 in a speech that was to become known as the
  Truman Doctrine. Truman was letting the world
  know that the USA was willing to give help to any
  country under treat from Communism.

5
The Truman Doctrine

• The free peoples of the world look to us for
  support in maintaining their freedoms.
• I believe that it must be the policy of the
  United States to support the people who are
  resisting attempted subjugation by armed
  minorities or by any outside pressures. I
  believe we must help free peoples to work out
  their own destiny in their own way.

Extracts from President Trumans speech, March
1947.
What is Truman referring to in this speech? What
is he saying?
6
The Marshall Plan

• Truman did not plan to send soldiers to Europe to
  fight Communism.
• He believed Communism flourished where there was
  misery and want.
• Truman therefore decided that he would use USAs
  wealth to provide economic aid to Europe.
• This plan was announced in a speech made by the
  American secretary of state, General George
  Marshall, in June 1947.

Why was there misery and want in Europe at this
time?
7
TASK 1

• Make notes using p. 328-330 Walsh under the
  following titles
• What was the American policy of Containment?
• Why was it introduced? How did events in Greece
  affect American policy in Europe?
• How did the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Aid help
  them with their policy of Containment?
• How did the events in Czechoslovakia consolidate
  American policy?
• Why had the Marshall Plan been introduced?
• How did Stalin react to these measures?

8
The Marshall Plan in action

• Between 1948 and 1952 the USA provided 13
  billion to 16 western countries.
• Stalin forbade any Communist countries from
  receiving aid from the Marshall Plan.
• In September 1947 the Soviet Union formed the
  Communist Information Bureau (Cominform) to
  strengthen ties between Communist countries.
  Communist parties in western Europe like Italy
  and France were ordered to try a wreck their
  countries use of American aid.
• In 1949 Stalin announced the formation of the
  Council for Mutual Economic Aid (Comecon) to
  rival the Marshall Plan. However, the Communists
  countries had very little money to provide aid
  for their neighbours.

9
There would not have been a Cold War if the USA
had not introduced the Truman Doctrine and the
Marshall Plan. Do you agree?