The Truman Doctrine & Marshall Aid (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Author
Joel DavisExpertise
History
The Importance of the Truman Doctrine & the Marshall Plan - Summary
After 1945, many European countries were poor and struggling to rebuild after the destruction and damage caused by the Second World War. These countries were particularly vulnerable to communism, as people wanted wealth to be redistributed and given to those in need. After the UK announced in 1947 that they could no longer support Greece and Turkey in their fight against communist rebels, the USA took over by providing them with lots of money. They did not want Greece and Turkey to become satellite states of the Soviet Union as other countries had become. President Truman believed that countries could either become communist and live under restrictions and oppression, or become democracies where they could prosper and have free elections. This became known as the ‘Truman Doctrine’. Truman believed that richer countries would find it easier to resist communism. Therefore, the Marshall Plan was created to provide countries across Europe with economic aid. The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan angered the Soviet Union. Stalin believed that the USA had deliberately split Europe in two and that it was clear the USA was trying to spread its capitalist beliefs. For the USA, their policy of isolationism had been abandoned, and replaced by a desire to contain communism in Eastern Europe. |
Why did the US Help Greece and Turkey?
Greece and Turkey were both struggling to prevent a communist takeover of their governments
The UK announced it could not longer provide military support to the Greek government
Truman was worried about the spread of communism and decided to take action
On 12th March 1947, Truman announced that the USA would send $400 million to both Greece and Turkey
By 1949, the communists in Greece had been defeated
What was the Truman Doctrine?
At the same time as announcing his support for Turkey and Greece, Truman also spoke about how nations have two alternative ways of life:
What was the ‘Truman Doctrine’?
The Truman Doctrine marked a new approach of the USA towards other countries:
Before the Second World War, the USA had followed a policy of isolationism by not getting involved in the affairs of other countries
With the spread of communism in Europe, isolationism was replaced by the policy of containment
Exam Tip
Students commonly get confused between the Truman Doctrine and the Carter Doctrine. Both US presidents created their doctrines in response to the threat of communism spreading. They used the USA's wealth in an attempt to control the Soviet Union. However, the Truman Doctrine was announced as a reaction to the end of World War Two. The Carter Doctrine was a reaction to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
What was the Marshall Plan?
Truman hoped that countries would choose the ‘first way’ of his doctrine and reject communism
However, after the destruction of the Second World War, many people saw communism as a way to redistribute wealth and improve their lives
Truman realised that the USA would need to help poorer countries to prevent them from becoming communist
After a visit to Europe, General George Marshall told Truman that ‘every’ country in Europe was at risk of turning to communism because of how poor they were
He recommended that the USA provide these countries with economic aid to turn them away from communism
The US congress passed the Marshall Plan after Czechoslovakia became communist in 1948
What Economic Benefits did the Marshall Plan Provide?
Before the plan was passed, $12.7 billion had already been given to other countries
The Marshall Plan gave away $13 billion to 16 European countries in Western Europe:
The amount of money given to each country ($ billion)
Money was distributed based on the population and pre-war economy of each country
It was described as a ‘lifeline to sinking men’ by the British foreign secretary, Ernest Bevin
The Marshall Plan was offered to the satellite states of Eastern Europe but Truman knew that Stalin would not allow them to accept the money
Why did the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan Increase Cold War Tensions?
Stalin saw the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan as a threat to communism and the Soviet Union
He also believed that the USA was undermining the role of The United Nations, which should be the group providing money to other countries
Stalin called the Marshall Plan ‘dollar imperialism’ because of how the USA was trying to expand its ‘empire’ using money
The Marshall Plan had divided the West from the East:
Satellite states were in support of the Soviet Union
Recipients of the Marshall Plan supported the USA
The Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan drastically increased Cold War tension
Worked Example
Explain the importance of the Marshall Plan (1947) for relations between East and West
8 marks
Partial answer:
The Marshall Plan worsened relations between East and West (1). This is because it created an economic division. Whilst the US government offered Marshall Aid to all European countries, Stalin refused to allow Eastern European countries to accept it (1). This worsened relations as the Soviet Union accused the USA of 'dollar imperialism' by using their wealth to spread their influence across Europe (1).
Exam Tip
This style of question in the exam paper would be worth 8 marks. An examiner would expect you to write two paragraphs analysing the importance of an event on a wider theme like US-Soviet relations. The worked example shows how you could start an answer for this style of question
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