Background:
The outcome of Second World led to a bipolar world with the dominant forces coming into enacting power. One of these was the Socialist state of Russia that had suffered the most in Second World War and had contributed the most towards the defeat of Germany, the Second was an outside force in form of United States of America that had aided the Allies in the War and made their victories possible.
Introduction:
The end of World War saw a non conventional and unprecedented war in form of a Cold War. In this war, the battle was not fought on battle grounds between the parties involved, neither were the two parties directly involved, rather it involved proxy wars, diplomatic efforts and constraints, alliances and oppositions.
Keywords:
Truman doctrine. Economic aid. Military funding. Socialist state.
As a result of this situation, both countries engaged themselves in the diplomatic activities and aimed at developing the pro governments within those countries which would enable protecting their interests in a strategic manner.
Theme of the American fund and Truman Doctrine:
On practical ground and in diplomatic circles, the funding was associated with social upbringing of the countries for which this fund was allocated. Having seen the worse kind of war with all kinds of human suffering in as a consequence and gift. America aimed at developing Europe with intention of supporting the countries of standing on their feet and with help of their economic donations. According to the Americans, the socialist state, its policies and interventions were contrary to all the aims and objectives undertaken by America towards a free world and more free young states such as Turkey and Greece.
President at that time:
Harry Truman was the President of United States of America in the Post world War scenario. The immediate end of World war saw Roosevelt in power but due to his rapidly deteriorating health he was being considered for by replacement which came about in 1947 (Hamby 2007, 187). After this Truman followed a policy of countering the measures of U.S.S.R.
The growing Communism fear:
There was a general fear of communism being implemented and introduced in various parts of the world. This came about through the following of the Karl Marx principle and doctrine in form of 1st international establishment. The Bolshevik revolution had paved the way for this.
The situation of U.S.S.R:
U.S.S.R emerged as a socialist state after the end of First World War. The Bolshevik Revolution had set course for the spread of communism across the world. The allies states were part of this process. The aim of spreading the flow and doctrine of Karl Marx after the 2nd World War also continued.
Truman Doctrine.
Truman Doctrine was based on the concept of stopping the flow and growth of socialism in parts of Europe. Notably Turkey and Greece. The Impact of socialism in the region would be contained through the economic aid and military funding.
The Truman doctrine came up after a prolonged policy of isolation that had been adopted by United States of America in previous decades. The only traces that were shown where America participated towards resolution of disputes and ending of the war was when Woodrow Wilson fourteen points were brought about.
This was the first major event and policy on international front where America directly participated in the affairs of Europe and with the sole purpose of thwarting any challenges and intentions kept by the Socialist state towards universal and global socialist order.
The First World War had seen failure of the fourteen points of Woodrow Wilson on account not taking Congress into confidence (Wilson, 2012, 9). Having learnt from the mistake, Truman this time took Congress in to confidence; he provided them with the overall details of the situation, the ground realities that were faced in Europe. The threat of growing communism. He vehemently told Congress that the time was ripe to take any action and in case of failure the two countries like other Eastern European states would fall in to the hands of Socialist state and would render it further strong.
Practical action was taken in March 1947 (Margolies, 2008, 339). The package requested for the two countries was a hefty amount of 400 million dollars(Immerman & Goedde, 2013, 160) that would be distributed between the two states and would be invested in the social sector, military and other sectors that would allow growing a pro American and pro democracy government in Turkey and Greece respectively.
Marshall Plan:
The Marshall plan was a continuation of this doctrine and in this particular plan, the scope of economic and financial fund was extended to other Western European countries. This was initiated in the name of Secretary Marshall who was given the task to engage into diplomatic ties with the European states and pave the way for a more friendly government in place.
Having taken Congress into confidence, the grant was permitted and later on the amount of donations and different forms of funding was extended to the amount of multi billion dollars. This aid was in installments and would be provided in course of three to five years.
Impact of Truman Doctrine:
The impact of this policy earned America dividends in the international sphere. It enabled it maintaining its presence and dominance in the Western European bloc. It allowed preventing the growth of Socialism in the different states. It allowed for more prosperous outlook of the Western European States against the Eastern bloc that was marred by hunger, poverty, social disparity, economic upheavals and political instability and paralysis.
The political aspect of the Truman Doctrine:
Truman Doctrine as well as the Marshal plan had political dimension to them as well. This was in form of availability of the two countries for the purpose of using it against the arch rival at that time- U.S.S.R. these two countries were used for satellite installations which became point of high importance in longer run. With the Cuban Missile crisis showing up in longer run, Turkey was used as a base to threaten U.S.S.R with any offensive possibility in case of U.S.S.R’s attack and usage of Cuba as a military base against United States. Hence these two countries served as strategic points for United States of America. So it was not just the economic and social impact, but also the military and political impact that was fulfilled through the participation policy in Western Europe and notably Turkey and Greece.
Works cited:
Hamby, A. L. (2007). Outline of U.S. History. Nova Publishers.
Immerman, R. H., & Goedde, P. (2013). The Oxford Handbook of the Cold War. Oxford University Press
Margolies, D. S. (2008). A Companion to Harry S. Truman. John Wiley & Sons. Press.
Wilson, J. (2012). Failed Hope: The Story of the Lost Peace. Dundurn.Press.
