Containment in Europe

Containment in Europe Truman’s containment policies governed U.S. foreign policy for decades “A long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies” The goal was not to eliminate communism, but keep it contained where it is American leaders had learned the lesson of appeasement- Communist aggression wherever it occurred must be challenged

The Truman Doctrine Issued the doctrine in response to two events: Communist-led uprising in Greece Soviet demands for some control of a water route in Turkey, the Dardanelles In the Truman Doctrine, the president asked Congress for $400 million in economic and military aid to assist the “free people” of Greece and Turkey against “totalitarian” regimes

The Marshall Plan After WWII, Europe was in ruins A severe winter in 1946-47 coupled with depression and years of war Discontent encouraged the growth of the Communist party in many European countries Truman administration feared many Communist regimes would come to power 1947- George Marshall outlined an economic aid program to help European nations revive their economies and Democratic governments

The Marshall Plan $12 billion in aid was sent to western Europe over a four-year period Soviets refused the aid, fearing it would lead to a dependence on the U.S. The Marshall plan worked- massive infusion of U.S. dollars helped Western Europe recover and grow Ended any real threat of a Communist uprising in that region Deepened the rift between non-Communist West and Communist East

The Berlin Airlift June 1948- Soviets cut off all access by land into Berlin Truman refused to remove troops but also rejected to using force to end the blockades Ordered U.S. planes to fly in supplies to the people of West Berlin Continued for weeks

The Berlin Airlift Truman also sent 60 bombers capable of carrying atomic bombs to bases in England Stalin decided not to challenge the airlift End their 11-month long blockade in May 1949 Major consequence of the Berlin Crisis was the creation of two Germanys: Federal Republic of Germany (democratic West Germany) German Democratic Republic (communist East Germany)

NATO & National Security Washington warned in his farewell address not to form permanent alliances with European countries Truman broke this tradition in 1949 by recommending the U.S. join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a military alliance defending all members from outside attack

NATO & National Security Truman chose Dwight Eisenhower as NATO’s first Supreme Commander Stationed troops in Western Europe as a deterrent against a Soviet invasion Containment policies were now leading to military buildups and major commitments abroad Soviet Union countered NATO in 1955 by forming the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance of Communist states in Eastern Europe

National Security Act of 1947 Helped the U.S. modernize its military capabilities Provided for: Centralized Department of Defense to coordinate the operations of ALL branches of the military Creation of the National Security Council to deal with Cold War policy Creation of the Central Intelligence Agency to employ spies and gather info on foreign governments

Atomic Weapons After the Berlin Crisis, the U.S. and Soviet Union engaged in an intense arms race To develop superior weapons systems Soviets tested their first atomic bomb in the fall of 1949 In response, Truman approved development of the Hydrogen Bomb, which was added to the U.S. arsenal in 1952 A thousand times more powerful than the A-Bomb

Evaluating U.S. Policy National Security Council recommended in a secret report, NSC-68, that: U.S. quadruple government defense spending to 20% of GNP Form alliances with non-Communist countries around the world Convince the American public the arms buildup was necessary for defense Critics of NATO and defense buildup argue the Truman administration intensified Russian fears and unnecessarily started the arms race NATO became one of the most successful military alliances in history Checked Soviet expansion in Europe and maintained an uneasy peace throughout the 20th century

? What was the goal of containment policies? What was the Truman Doctrine? What was the Marshall Plan? Was it successful? Why or why not? What was the Berlin Airlift? Was it successful? Why or why not? What is NATO? What is the Warsaw Pact? What was the significance of the National Security Act (1947)? What did Truman do in response to the Soviets testing an atomic bomb? What did the National Security Council recommend in its report NSC-68? What are some criticisms of U.S. policies in the early years of the Cold War? Despite these criticisms, what are some of the successes of NATO?