The US Policy of Containment
The US policy of containment was first articulated by U.S. diplomat George F. Kennan in his famous "Long Telegram" in 1946 with the aim of stopping the spread of communism. It stated that the USSR would attack the USA in an attempt to destroy the traditional way of life. Therefore, the USA should become more hostile and defensive.
Under the policy of containment, the USA aimed to....
Prevent the expansion of Soviet influence and communist ideology into new territories, primarily through diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military means.
Provide support to countries and governments being threatened by Soviet expansionism. This support could take various forms, including economic aid, military assistance, and diplomatic alliances.
Use deterrence to contain the spread of communism. This involved maintaining a strong military presence and being willing to use force to resist communist aggression, if necessary.
Collectively resist Soviet expansion through alliances with other capitalist and democratic nations, particularly through organizations like NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization).
Promote democracy, political stability and economic development in vulnerable regions in an attempt to make countries less susceptible to communist influence.
The Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine was announced by President Truman in a speech to Congress on March 12, 1947. It signified the U.S. foreign policy shift towards a more assertive stance against the spread of communism, particularly in Europe.
The Truman Doctrine declared that the United States would provide political, military, and economic assistance to any democratic nation under threat from external or internal authoritarian forces, with the primary aim of containing communism.
This focused on providing aid to Greece and Turkey, which were facing communist insurgencies and Soviet pressure. Truman asked Congress to provide $400 million in military and economic assistance to help these countries resist communist expansion.
The Greek Civil War
The Greek Civil War began on 31 March 1946, when the communists and monarchists were fighting for control over Greece.
Until 1947, the British Soldiers had been supporting the monarchists, but Britain was no longer able to afford to continue to station their soldiers there. Practising their policy of containment, the USA paid for the soldiers to keep fighting there and they had managed to defeat the communists by September 1949.
The USA's Marshall Plan / European Recover Plan (loans)
The Marshall Plan was launched in 1948 to aid Western Europe in rebuilding its economies after the devastation of World War II.
The plan had been proposed in a speech by U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall at Harvard University on June 5, 1947.
Marshall argued that as a result of the war, countries in Eastern Europe were facing hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos. The USA should assist in the return to normal economic health by providing loans and financial support.
In total, US$12.5 billion was provided by the USA to 16 countries;
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
France
Greece
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
United Kingdom
Spain applied but was rejected due to it being under the rule of dictator Fransisco Franco.
Poland and Czechoslovakia initially applied, but were forced to withdraw their applications as they were controlled by the USSR.