Causes of the Truman Doctrine
The weakness of Europe by WWII and the fear of increase of Soviet and communist power in both America and Europe, had spawned the writing of the Truman Doctrine. Britain had previously provided aid to both Greece and Turkey for their fighting againt the communists rebels trying to gain control of the country. However, Great Britain had suffered tremedously economicaly as a result of WWII and was no longer able to affor to provide the countries with military or financial aid. Due to fear of being taken over by communist powers, Great Britain, Greece and Turkey asked the United States for help. Britain was not the only country struggling economicaly on account of WWII; all of Europe had been hit hard financialy after the war. Europe was so economicaly weak that it was an easy target for Soviet conquest. Even the security of the United Nations, an international peace organization, was threatened by the Soivets and Communism.
Europe was fearful of falling to Communist rule, but they were so feeble that they could not oppose them.
The United States feared that if the Communists conquered one nation, then surrounding nations would fall to communism aswell. This theory is known as the "domino theory" and was critical in the situation regarding Greece and Turkey. Even the United Nations was subjected to the threat of communism, which worked to maintain international peace. The U.S. was afraid that if the Soviets gained control of Greece and Turkey, that then they would gain control of the entire Middle East. Europe was relying on America for aid and to protect their rights of freedom from the communists. With Europe entrusting their fate within the U.S., they increased the responsibulities of America and their global power. In the United States, many where frightened by the threat of the Soviets to international peace and democracy.
Due to the fear of communism present in the United States, many U.S. citizens became extreme advocates of anti-communism. America wanted to contain communism because with its containment came the containment of the Soviets global power. The United States didn't want communism to expand because if it did, then so would the global power of the Soviets. The United States wanted to be the sole world power and the only nation close to its state of power was the Soviet Unition, so it was critical to the secruity of the U.S. and their position as the global power to prevent the spread of communism and Soviet ideals.
Europe was fearful of falling to Communist rule, but they were so feeble that they could not oppose them.
The United States feared that if the Communists conquered one nation, then surrounding nations would fall to communism aswell. This theory is known as the "domino theory" and was critical in the situation regarding Greece and Turkey. Even the United Nations was subjected to the threat of communism, which worked to maintain international peace. The U.S. was afraid that if the Soviets gained control of Greece and Turkey, that then they would gain control of the entire Middle East. Europe was relying on America for aid and to protect their rights of freedom from the communists. With Europe entrusting their fate within the U.S., they increased the responsibulities of America and their global power. In the United States, many where frightened by the threat of the Soviets to international peace and democracy.
Due to the fear of communism present in the United States, many U.S. citizens became extreme advocates of anti-communism. America wanted to contain communism because with its containment came the containment of the Soviets global power. The United States didn't want communism to expand because if it did, then so would the global power of the Soviets. The United States wanted to be the sole world power and the only nation close to its state of power was the Soviet Unition, so it was critical to the secruity of the U.S. and their position as the global power to prevent the spread of communism and Soviet ideals.