Introduction:
Truman Doctrine:
The Marshall Plan
The Soviet Economic Response:
Soviet Political Response
The Occupation of Eastern Europe
Conclusion
Discussion Question
- By the end of 1946, the Grand Alliance had broken down. Both sides now viewed each other with increasing suspicion.
- Between 1947-49, political, economic and military divisions intensified as both sides sought to protect and extend their ‘spheres of influence’ in Europe.
- Ignoring its commitment to democracy in Europe, the USSR attempted to increase its control over Eastern Europe. In response the USA attempted to consolidate its influence and ‘contain’ communism.
- These two policies increased tensions dramatically, resulting in the first direct confrontation of the war – the Berlin Crisis of 1948-49.
Truman Doctrine:
- On 12th March 1947, President Truman gave a speech to the US Congress, stating his belief that the USA was obliged to ‘support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.’
- This policy became known as the Truman Doctrine. It was a key turning point in the Cold War. The USA had traditionally followed an ‘isolationist’ foreign policy.
- However in the face of communist expansion, it was clear that democracy in Europe could not survive without US support to ‘contain’ it.
- The idea of the Truman Doctrine was not new. It was a response to what was perceived as Soviet ‘aggression’ in Eastern Europe.
- Fears over Soviet expansionism were made worse by Kennan’s Long Telegram in 1946 which called for the USA to resist Soviet aggression.
- The Polish ‘free elections’ on 19th January 1947 proved to the US that Stalin had no intention of sticking to his promises on allowing democracy.
- The final change in policy was triggered by the crisis over Greece and Turkey. At the end of WW2, Britain restored the Greek Monarchy however a Civil War erupted between the monarchy and communist guerrillas.
- However Britain couldn’t afford to assist the Greek government. It was £3000 million in debt!
- In February 1947, Britain announced to the USA that it could no longer maintain troops in Greece. Truman had to do something otherwise communism would win.
- The Truman Doctrine was therefore issued to preserve democracy. US economic aid and military advisors were immediately sent to Greece and Turkey.
- Stalin viewed this move as aggressive American ‘expansionism’.
- The policy was a clear departure from isolationism. The US was now committing itself to preventing the spread of communism using any means necessary. This doctrine would dictate American foreign policy for the rest of the Cold War.
- The Truman Doctrine was therefore issued to preserve democracy. US economic aid and military advisors were immediately sent to Greece and Turkey.
- Stalin viewed this move as aggressive American ‘expansionism’.
- The policy was a clear departure from isolationism. The US was now committing itself to preventing the spread of communism using any means necessary. This doctrine would dictate American foreign policy for the rest of the Cold War.
- The Truman Doctrine was therefore issued to preserve democracy. US economic aid and military advisors were immediately sent to Greece and Turkey.
- Stalin viewed this move as aggressive American ‘expansionism’.
- The policy was a clear departure from isolationism. The US was now committing itself to preventing the spread of communism using any means necessary. This doctrine would dictate American foreign policy for the rest of the Cold War.
- The Truman Doctrine was therefore issued to preserve democracy. US economic aid and military advisors were immediately sent to Greece and Turkey.
- Stalin viewed this move as aggressive American ‘expansionism’.
- The policy was a clear departure from isolationism. The US was now committing itself to preventing the spread of communism using any means necessary. This doctrine would dictate American foreign policy for the rest of the Cold War.
The Marshall Plan
- In January 1947, General George Marshall became US Secretary of State. He believed that the economies of Europe needed drastic help – otherwise communism would flourish.
- In a broadcast to the American public, he declared, ‘The patient is sinking while doctors deliberate’. The implication was clear – The USA had to compliment the Truman Doctrine with an economic policy as well.
- Marshall introduced the plan in a speech at Harvard University on 5th June 1947.
- The Plan was designed to give help to all countries in Europe but was carefully constructed to exclude the USSR.
- Recipient countries had to allow their financial records to be investigated by the USA – Marshall knew the USSR would never accept this.
- The USSR was therefore invited to join the Plan. Its stated aims were to:
- Revive European economies so political and social stability could ensue
- Safeguard the future of the US economy
- The bill allocating the four-year aid programme of $17 billion did not pass Congress until March 1948 with the Soviet take-over of Czechoslovakia in February 1948 persuading Congress to pass the Plan.
- Stalin and the USSR viewed the Plan as American ‘dollar imperialism’ and rejected the Plan.
- They felt that the US was attempting to establish economic and political domination over Europe.
The Soviet Economic Response:
- The USSR immediately sought to tie the economies of Eastern Europe to them through their own economic links.
- The result was the creation of COMECON in January 1949 – the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance.
- This linked Eastern bloc countries to Moscow through economic interdependence, however this would follow communist policies like collectivisation of agriculture and development of heavy industry.
Soviet Political Response
- Soviet foreign policy also developed into what was called the ‘Two Camps’ Doctrine.
- As early as the 1920s, Stalin had wanted to create two opposing camps in Europe and the world.
- One would be the American dominated ‘anti-Soviet bloc’. The other would be the Soviet dominated ‘new democracies’ of Eastern Europe.
- In this way, Stalin sought to ‘contain’ American influence whilst extending his own throughout the world.
The Occupation of Eastern Europe
- Since 1945, Stalin has been seeking to control Eastern Europe, as noted from the ‘Percentages Agreement’ with Churchill in 1944.
- By 1947, most East European countries were under Soviet control and formed what became known as Stalin’s ‘satellite empire’.
- The countries were officially independent, however they were clearly under Moscow’s sphere of influence.
- Moscow used military power, state police, COMECON and ‘salami tactics’ to steadily increase its control over Eastern Europe.
- By the end of 1948, most East European countries had fallen under the control of Stalin, with Czechoslovakia falling in a communist coup in February 1948.
- The West viewed these moves as an aggressive occupation and a breach of the agreements made at Yalta and Potsdam.
- This view was hardened by George Kennan, who wrote the ‘Mr X Article’ for Time Magazine in July 1947 – calling for a policy of ‘vigilant containment’ of the USSR.
Conclusion
- By 1948, Europe was clearly divided into separate ‘camps’ or ‘spheres of influence’, despite the agreements made at Yalta and Potsdam.
- Both sides blamed each other for the growing hostility and both sides tried to ‘contain’ the other by locking their European allies into political and economic alliances.
- The only question remaining would be whether this hostility would remain contained, or would it descend into open confrontation?
Discussion Question
- Truman Doctrine meant that America stopped following an isolationist foreign policy <- this meant that conflict was inevitable
- The Truman doctrine was a response to what was perceived as Soviet Aggression
- Kennan’s long Telegram in 1946 made fears worse
- However, while it was the America fault that they stopped following an isolationist foreign policy, it was self defence to a threat to their ideology which was caused by the Russians
- Stalin failed to keep his word about Polish ‘free elections’ which caused tension
- Stalin viewed this move as aggressive American expansion
- So the soviet thought that it was self-defence against the Americans
- This thought meant they were both to blame
- Marshall Plan was to give aid to all countries in Europe
- Had to allow financial records to be investigated
- Marshall knew the USSR would never accept this
- Stalin viewed plan as American ‘dollar imperialism’ and rejected the Plan
- Felt the US was attempting to establish economic and political domination over Europe
- This further destroyed the trust between them
- Had to allow financial records to be investigated
- Comecon
- Council for Mutual Economic Assistance
- Linked Eastern block countries to Moscow through economic interdependence
- Would follow communist policies
- Collectivisation of agriculture
- Development of heavy industry
- This was in response to the Marshall Plan
- COMINFORM
- Communist information Bureau
- Controlled foreign communist parties and helped him to spread communism in Western Europe
- Occupation of Eastern Europe
- ‘satellite empire’
- under Moscow’s sphere of influence
- basically taking over the countries
- completely ruined the trust
- Increased control over Europe through
- COMECON
- Salami tactics
- State police
- Military power
- West viewed these moves as aggressive occupation
- Breach of agreements made at Yalta and Potsdam