United States of America had long followed a policy of isolation throughout the 18th and 19th century. The policy continued even in the earlier part of twentieth century when the First World War was fought. The event of disapproval of Woodrow Wilson’s fourteen points by Senators back home defined the overall outlook and aptitude of the Senators and American people outside the country. This defined the foreign policy of United States of America as well.
However towards the middle of Second World War United States of America was forced into reverting its policy of isolation. The Second World War saw a formal expansion and participation of United States of America through its participation in the war and political spectrum of global politics (Kaufman, 2006,55). Monroe Doctrine was representative of the American policy in the 19th century that marked its clear statement of non interference by America or the European nations. The turning point came about in form of Pearl Harbor which along with numerous acts of complete madness by Japan provoked United States into bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The end of Second World War led to a race and rivalry in multiple domains. It was not just limited to political outmaneuvering and outsmarting the rivals rather it entailed economic, military and social factors. These factors came about in form of economic, social, military and political assistances, rivalries, allies, friends and foes. The end of Second World War gave rise to establishment of the two visible super powers in form of United States of America and Union of Soviet Socialist State. Both the super powers aimed at gaining edge against the other in form of alliances and pro government establishment in the region. For this reason they undertook various steps and policies.
Truman Doctrine:
Truman Doctrine came about in form of proposals, recommendations and overall assessment of the policy and geo strategic circumstances of Europe and the spread of Communism. Truman presented a very frightful picture of the potential aims and objectives of Soviet Republic that was nearly akin to the annexing them with the only difference being absence of formal annexation. The Truman Doctrine also related to handling of the Iranian issue in a truly representative manner of the people of the region.
The event of Poland and the tempering of terms by Stalin after the Yalta conference forced United States of America into thinking that it had to do something on the economic grounds to keep the rest of Europe falling into the hands of Stalin and his partners. The tempering came about in form of the assurances given by Stalin.
Russia had expanded its influence over parts of Eastern Europe and there were other countries that were being feared for falling into the hands of Stalin. The situation grew worse and severe in form of Greece that was formally released by Great Britain from its guardianship and control that it had maintained over the region for last few decades. It occurred in 1947 and Truman knowing that President Woodrow Wilson had seen failure of execution of his plans on account of non approval from Congress (Wunder, 2011, 8) thereby went straight to the Congress for the purpose of earning their assurance and green signal that would allow investing in Greece. Having successfully engaged the methods and measures of diplomacy and economic funding Truman succeeded in releasing a net amount of over 300 million dollars for Greece. Apart from the economic aid the purposes of Truman Doctrine included the enactment of the right kind of government in Greece Turkey and other parts of the Europe which would represent the true wishes and aspirations of the people of those countries against the moves by Stalin that were forced on vested political interests and they were far away from people’s wishes and desires.
Policy of Containment:
In the post World War scenario Union of Soviet Socialist Republic aimed at expanding the socialist system that would achieve its absolute state of success and implementation in form of Communism. This was a continuation of what the Russians had seen as a Bolshevik Russian Revolution that aimed at establishing a global order driven by International alliances and spread of Socialism. In order to counter this policy the United States of America came about with policy of containment of Socialism. This was countered in form of economic aid directly, military aid side by and political aid in directly (Aneek, 2010, 136).
Truman Doctrine as a reaction:
The Truman Doctrine came about as a reaction against the moves and maneuvers of Stalin who had allegedly rigged the elections in parts of Eastern Europe and forced the placement of pro Stalin and Pro Russian governments. Bulgaria and Poland were two instances in the same manner and capacity. The Expansion of economic aid saw assistance for Turkey afterwards (Bostdorff, 2008, 114).
Berlin Blockade: The entire episode is also termed as Berlin Airlift. This came about in form of the strategy and policy by Joseph Stalin who decided to bloc all the passages and land routes leading towards Berlin. The aim was to strangulate the situation back there and force the Western Germany into bowing before Stalin like other Eastern European states.
The multiple aspects of Truman Doctrine:
This particular move of President Truman enabled defining the foreign policy of United States of America. It sent a message to the Soviet Republic that any move aimed at destabilizing or aiming to create influence over Greece, Turkey would be dealt with an iron fist and would be taken as a challenge thrown.
Long term impacts of Truman Doctrine:
Under this principle Turkey became a strong ally of United States of America and in the midterm politics Turkey served as a savoir for United States of America when installed its ballistic and intercontinental missiles against the Cuban installment by the U.S.S.R.
Present day relationships with Germany and Turkey:
United States of America enjoys highly cordial relationships and ties with these two countries and both are engaged in bilateral economic, military and other social terms, agreements and relationships between the two countries. Germany as well enjoys the same level of highly fruitful and warm relationship with United States of America. The fact that these two nations are part of the NATO league defines the relationship warmth between the given set of nations. This along with the fact that United States of America has supported Turkey on multiple accounts and instances in past speaks volumes of the overall friendly relationship ties between them. Germany has supported United States stance against the Syrian crisis and numerous other Middle East conflicts that came about from time to time.
References:
Aneek, C. (2010). International Relations Today: Concepts and Applications. Pearson Education.Press.
Bostdorff, D. M. (2008). Proclaiming the Truman Doctrine: The Cold War Call to Arms. Texas A&M University Press.
Kaufman, J. P. (2006). A Concise History of U.S. Foreign Policy. Rowman & Littlefield.Press.
Wunder, S. (2011). American War Presidents. GRIN Verlag.Press.
