The Marshall Plan &The Truman Doctrine

Communism and Poverty

• After WWII not only were there communism issues spreading throughout the world but poverty as well.

• In Western Europe many of the cities were in shambles. There was a shortage of jobs as well as food.

• Main Question:– How can the U.S. help?

U.S. Focus After WWII• War Against Communism

• Policy of Containment1. Help the smaller countries resist

soviet/communist advances.

2. Wanted to stop the spread of communism• Ex: Sending money, arms, and generals to South

Vietnam to fight against the Northern communists (Ho Chi Minh)

The Marshall Plan was????

• An assistance program which the U.S. gave money to help rebuild Europe to stop the spread of communism.

oWould provide food and machinery o 12.5 billion dollar program in April 1948o Any country left in shambles that was not

communist received aid from the U.S.

The Marshall Plan

• George Marshall was the U.S. Secretary of State

• Wanted to help those in Western Europe who are living without shelter, jobs, and food.

Countries who received aid from the Marshall Plan

• Great Britain• France• Italy• West Germany• Holland • Austria• Belgium• Greece

• Denmark• Norway• Turkey• Ireland• Sweden• Portugal• Yugoslavia• Iceland• A Few More

The Truman Doctrine was???

• a policy set forth by the U.S. President Harry Truman in a speech on March 12, 1947.

• U.S. would support Greece and Turkey with economic and military aid to prevent them from becoming communist.

• Congress, however, quickly approved $400 million worth of aid.

President Truman

• After WWII, Truman wanted to make sure a communist country never had the chance to cause as much damage as Germany did in WWII.

• Asked congress for economic aid to Turkey and Greece to support his new Doctrine…