LAD #36: Truman Doctrine

After World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union began to have disagreements in government policy: democracy versus communism. This will ultimately lead to the Cold War. The first American policy that spoke out against Communist expansionism in the East was the Truman Doctrine. Greece was the first country that it began to spread to, and American soldiers were sent there to rid them of German influence and control. Truman supplied military goods, arms, men, food, and other supplies to Greece in order for them to resist the oncoming USSR. After Truman saw Greece as "safe" from Communism, he used this same tactic and policy towards Turkey. Turkey was also needing helping in creating a Democratic form of government safe from the Communism that was spreading through eastern Europe. Overall, President Harry S. Truman request over 750 billion dollars from Congress to supply to Greece and Turkey to resist Communism. The United States created this new role of "protector of the free world" and helped to combat the Communist fears by establishing this policy.