Containment and the truman doctrine
Containment and the truman doctrine
Containment
Containment is a US policy to combat worldwide communism. It was made in response to the Soviet Union enlarging communist influence in Eastern Europe, China, Korea, Africa, and Vietnam. In George Kennan’s examination of Russian policy, “Long Telegram”, he believed the Soviets saw themselves in a state of eternal war with capitalism, the Soviets used controllable Marxists in the capitalist world as allies, Soviet hostility was not in line with the views of Russian people, but with historic Russian dislike of foreigners and paranoia, the Soviet government's structure did not allow accurate depictions of internal and external reality. As a result, America’s only choice was the “long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies.” President Truman agreed.
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine established that the United States would give political, military and economic aid to all democratic nations under threat from external or internal authoritarian forces. Arose from the British Government saying that it would no longer help the Greek Government in its civil war against the Greek Communist Party. It requested that Congress provide $400 million worth of help to both the Greek and Turkish Governments, support the dispatch of American military personnel, and equipment to the region. It also committed the United States to actively offering assistance to preserve the political integrity of democratic nations. As a result, it marked a turning point in the history of American foreign policy. America usually withdrew from regional conflicts that didn’t directly involve the United States. In fact, it still impacts international relationships today.
Truman Doctrine speech
Truman Doctrine speech
Abby Carthew