The Truman doctrine was a presidential speech presented by President Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president (1945-1952) of the United States of America, to a joint session of the congress in 1947 requesting it to approve a $ 400 million financial aid to Greece and Turkey. His diction and language was very appealing and this gives an insight to his personal stand on this matter. From the onset, one clearly knows on whose side the president stood. It is a speech that gives very good evidence on the Truman’s foreign policy during his reign.
President Truman designs a sequential and clear elaboration of the situation in which both Greece and Turkey are in. He makes the situation extremely pathetic that his audience (the joint session of Congress) soon find themselves sympathizing with vulnerable situation of the two countries. His opening remarks touch on matters of national interest: foreign policy and national security of the United States. Winning the Congress approval for such matters in the democratic United States is not an easy ride. Every US president understands how hard the task is and that why President Truman provided clear explanation for his nod to the two countries’ request for such a large sum of money. This is clearly stated in the preliminary statement of the Congress Record. (Congress Remarks)
A thorough review of President Truman’s speech reveals his personal concerns for the dire needs of Greece and Turkey for financial and economic aid. He clearly expresses concern that Greece and Turkey governments are democratic and peaceful but are being coerced into conflict by their neighbors. He also adds that the United Nations and Britain had already expressed concern for the two nations. For instance, President Truman reiterates that it is not the first time that the United States is offering assistance to the two troubled nations. His remarks are even more authoritative than appealing when he stressed that United States must offer the requested aid. It sounds like no one like it is the sole responsibility to offer the help. (Unknown)
He further explains that the Greek state is under the threat of terrorism being propagated by several armed men commanded by the communists who does not respect the Government’s rule in the northern parts of Greece. He points out that a UN led investigation is underway to assess the situation in Greece. This explanation gives the matter an international outlook making the US intervention inevitable. His speech also brings into attention of this session the handicap nature of Greece that makes it necessary for the United States government to offer the assistance that she seeks for.
Turkey is in a similar threat. To neutralize the criticism of the Congress, he informed them that he was fully aware of the great implications of the United States advancing such help to the two countries. To confirm his statement, he went ahead to explain the primary aims of the United States foreign policy which is to create freedom for the US citizens and the rest of the world. In this way, President Truman was justifying that he had made a well informed decision on the matter by considering all the aspects of the US foreign policy. However, the congress was quite aware of this. (Congress Remarks). In the real sense, wars and conflicts are always a threat to the citizen’s peaceful co-existence as they infringe into their constitutional rights and freedoms. (Unknown)
Different US presidents have had different foreign policies in their administrations. However, this primary source shows a very important historical document which was personally delivered by President Truman on his foreign policy. It is a firsthand source of information in history of United States. Unlike other primary sources that only give other people’s description what others did; this is a personal presidential speech. As the United States advanced in democracy and power, it chipped into major global matters that were of global interest. Furthermore, the atomic bomb attack on Japan made the United States super power of the whole world.
The only odd thing about this speech is the way in which president Truman presented coercion on the joint session of the US congress. He personally wanted to grant this help but since he could not do it on his own, he had to devise a very successful plan to arm-twist the Congress. The constitution of the United States requires that President get the Congress approval before doing any government transaction. He therefore warned the congress of that if they failed to advance the aid to the two countries, they would have failed in their leadership. He further stated that such failure would endanger the world peace.
Works Cited
Truman, Harry S. "The Truman Doctrine." Congressional Record, March 12, 1947: Print.
