Truman Doctrine Research Paper

The Truman Doctrine was announced to the world on March 12, 1947. War had destroyed Europe, as well as other parts of the world for six years. At the conclusion of war the United States had become the leading “democratic” and “free enterprise” country of the world. The threat of the spread of “communism” from the Soviet Union who threatening the democratic freedom of which the United States had long cherished. President Harry Truman presented the “Truman Doctrine” before a joint session of Congress in a speech in which he “appealed to the American people and Congress not to turn a deaf ear to the Greek Government.” In the speech lasting 18 minutes, the words “free and or freedom” were stated 24 times. The purpose behind the Truman Doctrine
One choice is based upon the “majority” is “free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individuals liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression.” The other option for the way of life is “the will of the minority forcibly imposed upon the majority.” “Relies upon terror and oppression a controlled press and radio, fixed elections, and the suppression of personal freedoms.” These were the two options of life to choose from the Truman mentioned in the “Truman Doctrine.” “If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world – and we shall surely endanger the welfare of this nation.” With this threat to the way of life and the freedoms of choices, Truman chose to make a stand that America would halt the speed of communism by providing the economic and financial needs of Greece and Turkey. It began with the Truman Doctrine announced in 1947 and continued with the “Marshall Plan” and the “Berlin Air-lift” in the summer of 1948. These two followed in the footsteps of the Truman Doctrine as a result of the success of aiding Greece and