LAD #36: Truman Doctrine

After World War II, the Cold War crept into the forefront of American politics insidiously. Failed peace conferences left the Allied Powers estranged--the US and the Soviet Union had conflicting political ideologies. The Truman Doctrine addresses first Communism's threat in Greece. The end of  the war and the removal of the Germans left a behind a fallen and impoverished Greek state. Railroads were destroyed, communication lines were ruined, and other infrastructure was in ruin. Reconstruction was blocked by Soviet troops that committed acts of terror against the Greek government--inciting hostiles along Greece's northern borders. Greece needed the US's help in the form of supplies that would serve to equip the small Greek army with adequate arms to defend and rebuild their nation. Truman also noted Turkey's dilemma--their modernization and development also required the aid of an established democracy such as the United States. In aiding these countries, the US executes its responsibilities as a promoter of political freedoms. Plus, the US was at the same time a protector of the free world and thus a preventer of the spread of Communism. For these reasons, Truman asked Congress to send a sum of 750 million dollars and a contingency of American military servicemen and women to Greece and Turkey for the purposes of reconstruction and modernization.