LAD #36: Truman Doctrine

https://www.trumanlibrary.org/photographs/59-1252-3.jpg

LAD #36: Truman Doctrine

The Truman Doctrine was an address the President Harry S. Truman gave to Congress in 1947. He begins the address by discussing the need for the United States to assist the country of Greece, which was greatly in need after World War II, given its lack of resources and the destruction done by the Nazis. According to Truman, Greece was unable to muster up enough money to even begin reconstruction and that therefore, it was the responsibility of the United States to provide them with economic assistance, especially because they were asking for our help. In addition to that, the Greeks needed military assistance to help with communist terrorism. America was the only country that could help because the other allied nations were dealing with serious recoveries as well. Truman also stated that the U.S. needed to help Turkey, now that Great Britain was unable to do so. All of this would be done with the intention of helping these countries maintain their self-government, unlike the Soviet policy of taking over satellite nations, something that was done in direct violation of the Yalta Conference. Truman then begins to broaden his request to Congress, stating that it is the responsibility of the United States to ensure that other countries' freedoms are maintained and that the will of the majority is never suppressed by dictatorial minorities who use terrorism and fixed election to retain power. Given the major investment the United States made in World War II, a war fought to prevent dictators from suppressing the will of the people, it only makes sense that the United States continue providing economic help to countries to make sure the war was not fought it vain. Truman finalizes his request by asking for the sake of the United States and the world.

 https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_sR4AHlgNOi2zpHY3nv2sqiUbpAWHST3ktK_PQ5VA_S4NwCUQEVVL8AK4IO5KRqXfCoxXNljes8PwlZtlUOTjskJafcwWilrm0cC2Anlt9ktP_x9eoYDiMXnQ3CK1njqhhVJf2Jy2VkG/s1600/domino-theory-1l59js7.jpg

This reminded me of the Domino Theory, which was the United States justification in supporting capitalist nations and leaders in communist areas. The U.S. stated that they were protecting the world from the spread of communism, and the Truman Doctrine seems to be the beginning of that, as Greece is getting assistance in protecting itself from communist terrorism.