How did the USA react to USSR expansion in eastern Europe?

Lesson objectivesTo explain the causes and aims of the US policy of

containment.To examine the nature of containment.To identify the consequences of containment.

Why?Britain unable to continue its

commitments in Greece and Turkey

Truman thought that USSR was trying to spread communism

throughout the world

USA wanted to prevent further USSR

expansion

USA wanted to wield its economic and

military supremacy over the USSR

‘Two halves of the same walnut’ – What was containment?

Containment – The US foreign policy which aimed to use military resources and influence to prevent the expansion of communism into non-communist countries.

Truman Doctrine – US commitment to

political containmentMarshall Plan – US

commitment to economic containment

What was the Truman Doctrine?I believe that it must be the policy of the United States

to support peoples who resist being enslaved by armed minorities or by outside pressure. I believe that

we must help free peoples to work out their own destiny in their own way.

Truman’s speech to Congress was aimed to win US support to aid countries from attack from the spread of communism. This speech became known as the Truman Doctrine and enshrine US political commitment to contain communism.

Consequences?

The Greek and Turkish governments were able to defeat the

communists

USA decided on the Marshall Plan

Increased USA-USSR rivalry

USA became far more involved in European

affairsStalin formed Cominform

to link Communist governments together to

ensure united action against any threats.

What was the Marshall Plan?It is logical that the USA should do whatever it can to restore normal

economic health to the world, without which there can be no political stability

and peace. Our policy is directed not against another country but against

hunger and poverty.

Truman believed that communism spread into countries hit by poverty and hardship. The events in Czechoslovakia encouraged Congress to provide aid to stop USSR expansion.

George Marshall, Secretary of States, drew up a plan to offer all European countries economic aid in the form of money and goods with the aim of rebuilding these countries.

These countries would then enjoy reasonable prosperity and would have no reason to turn to communism. Also, as part of the plan, these countries would agree to buy US goods.

What aid did the Marshall Plan offer?

Marshall Aid was offered to all European countries, including Russia.

Despite Russia’s and Eastern European weaknesses, Stalin forced all the countries under his control to refuse Marshall aid.

By 1953, $17 billion worth of aid was provided by the USA.

Consequences

Western Europe enjoyed a period of

significant prosperity in the 1950s.

Stalin was convinced that USA actions were selfish and aimed to

dominate Europe and boost its own

economy

Western Europe became more closely

linked with its distributing of Marshall Aid.

USA became far more involved in European

affairs

Stalin formed Comecon to link satellite states’ economies together to ensure they were run

along communist lines.