It was the Truman Doctrine, which was a policy that stated that the United States would support Greece and Turkey with economic and military aid so that they would not be subjected to the Soviet sphere.
Following the Second World War, America and the Soviet Union went from being allies to adversaries with many issues escalating political tensions.
Truman stated that it would be America’s policy to support free peoples who were resisting being subjugated by armed minorities and outside pressures. His argument was that because totalitarian regimes coerced people, they were a threat to international peace and national security. Truman argued that if Greece and Turkey did not receive the help that they needed against communism, their capitulation to that state would be inevitable and there would be dire consequences throughout the region.
Both Greece and Turkey were strategic allies, made more important by their geographical positions. If they were under Soviet control they would be in the perfect position to cut off any allied supplies if there was another war.
American support of Greece and Turkey’s fight against communism was because of a direct invitation from Britain who had supported Greece for years. The Second World War, though, had brought Britain to the brink of bankruptcy and it was no longer in a position to give as freely as it had done previously. The Republicans, who controlled Congress at the time, totally supported the policy and sent $400 million, but no military forces.
The result was an end to the Communist threat and in 1952, both Greece and Turkey joined NATO: A move that guaranteed their protection. The Truman Doctrine was extended, albeit informally, to become the basis of the American Cold War policy throughout Europe.
Following the Second World War, America and the Soviet Union went from being allies to adversaries with many issues escalating political tensions.
Truman stated that it would be America’s policy to support free peoples who were resisting being subjugated by armed minorities and outside pressures. His argument was that because totalitarian regimes coerced people, they were a threat to international peace and national security. Truman argued that if Greece and Turkey did not receive the help that they needed against communism, their capitulation to that state would be inevitable and there would be dire consequences throughout the region.
Both Greece and Turkey were strategic allies, made more important by their geographical positions. If they were under Soviet control they would be in the perfect position to cut off any allied supplies if there was another war.
American support of Greece and Turkey’s fight against communism was because of a direct invitation from Britain who had supported Greece for years. The Second World War, though, had brought Britain to the brink of bankruptcy and it was no longer in a position to give as freely as it had done previously. The Republicans, who controlled Congress at the time, totally supported the policy and sent $400 million, but no military forces.
The result was an end to the Communist threat and in 1952, both Greece and Turkey joined NATO: A move that guaranteed their protection. The Truman Doctrine was extended, albeit informally, to become the basis of the American Cold War policy throughout Europe.
