Blog #38: Truman Doctrine

Truman begins by stating that the Greek government has asked for financial assistance in order to preserve its freedom. He states that Greece is poor and has suffered invasion, internal issues, and enemy occupation for years. After the Germans destroyed everything Greece had, the nation became in serious need of resources and money. Truman mentions that Greece also asked for American administrators, economists, and technicians to help it use the financial aid wisely. He says that the United Nations is investigating border violations near Greece as well, and that there is no other country Greece can turn to for help.
Additionally, Truman mentions that Turkey needs help modernizing, which is necessary in order for it to maintain its national integrity.
This leads Truman to explain that the United Nations must help nations like Greece and Turkey. He says that far too often countries do not choose a path of freedom, and therefore he would like to assist those who are willing to be free.
Truman believes that the failure of Greece as a democratic nation would effect the rest of the world. He believes that if this happened, discouragement and failure would spread to other countries who are striving to maintain freedom and independence as well. He believes that helping these nations would be an investment worth the freedom and peace that it would produce. He also mentions that the Legislative and Executive branches of the government must work together in this time of need.
In face of the large responsibility the United States is presented with (to assist countries who are in need), Truman in confident that Congress will not hesitate to take care of these issues.

President Truman realized that although it was not "order" to aid Greece and Turkey after WWII, it was a necessity because it would help maintain peace within the world and prevent those nations from resorting to communism.

The Marshall Plan was very similar to the Truman Doctrine, yet rather than being aimed at aiding only Greece and Turkey, it was put in place to help all of Europe. This picture shows men standing beside the first cargo of Caribbean sugar that was to be shipped under to Marshall Doctrine.