LAD #36: The Truman Doctrine

After WW2, a battle broke out without fighting between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. Both nations sought to assert their power and their governmental influence over the developing countries around the world, communism vs capitalism. The Truman Doctrine concerns these developments in post-war Greece. After war-ravaged the country and sent it into a depression and overall disillusionment, the Soviets blockaded Grecian interests, preventing reconstruction and even staging a few terrorist attacks. Citing the inaction of Britain and the UN, Truman asserted the need of the United States to supply and finance Greece so that they would have the materials and the strength to rebuild their small nation. This was a way for Truman to try and stop the spread of communism. Also noted, was that backwards Turkey needed the aid of the democratic giant to spur on democracy and the will of the majority in a depleted post-war nation. As a result the U.S. would be the safeguard of freedom around the globe and the protector against the forces of communism. For this reason that Truman asked Congress to send a total of 750 million dollars and a contingency of American military servicemen and women to Greece and Turkey for reconstruction and modernization.