1.3.4
Greek Civil War & the Truman Doctrine
The Greek Civil War, March 1947
The Greek Civil War, March 1947
America's intervention in the Greek civil war was the first example of the Truman Doctrine in action.
The outbreak of civil war
The outbreak of civil war
- In 1946 civil war broke out between the monarchists in Greece and the Greek Communists who had fought to liberate Greece from Nazi occupation.
- Britain provided assistance to the non-communist forces in Greece and neighbouring Turkey.
- Yet, by 1947 Britain told the USA that it couldn’t continue this because there were too many financial difficulties on British soil.
US involvement in Greece
US involvement in Greece
- In March 1947, the USA pledged assistance to Greece and Turkey.
- This reflected the change in attitudes towards communist regimes following the Kennan Telegram and the Iron Curtain speech.
- This marked the start of America becoming more involved with European affairs and is known as the Truman Doctrine.
The Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine
- The Truman Doctrine promised to send money and resources to any peoples threatened by another power (suggesting protection from communist takeovers).
Historical interpretation of the Truman Doctrine
Historical interpretation of the Truman Doctrine
- Historians David Evans and Jane Jenkins in Years of Russia and the USSR 1851-1991, (2001) argue that Churchill stated that this financial deal (the Marshall Plan) to offer support was ‘the most unsordid act in history’.
- They also argue that Stalin and his Foreign Minister, Molotov, “regarded it as a devious dollar-backed scheme to loosen the communist grip on Europe”.
1Origins of the Cold War, 1945-9
1.1Events of 1945
1.2The Collapse of the Grand Alliance
1.3Developing Tensions
1.4US Involvement in Europe
2Widening of the Cold War
2.1US Containment in Asia
2.2The Korean War
2.3Increasing Cold War Tensions, 1949 -1953
3The Global War
3.2Cold War Rivalries
3.3Conflict in Asia
3.4Confrontation Between Superpowers
4Confrontation & Cooperation
4.2Cooperation
4.3Pressures on the USSR
5Brezhnev Era
5.1Detente
5.2Second Cold War
5.3Developments in Africa & Americas
6Ending of the Cold War
6.1Gorbachev
6.2Cooperation between US & USSR
6.3Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe
6.4End of Tensions Across the World
Jump to other topics
1Origins of the Cold War, 1945-9
1.1Events of 1945
1.2The Collapse of the Grand Alliance
1.3Developing Tensions
1.4US Involvement in Europe
2Widening of the Cold War
2.1US Containment in Asia
2.2The Korean War
2.3Increasing Cold War Tensions, 1949 -1953
3The Global War
3.2Cold War Rivalries
3.3Conflict in Asia
3.4Confrontation Between Superpowers
4Confrontation & Cooperation
4.2Cooperation
4.3Pressures on the USSR
5Brezhnev Era
5.1Detente
5.2Second Cold War
5.3Developments in Africa & Americas
6Ending of the Cold War
6.1Gorbachev
6.2Cooperation between US & USSR
6.3Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe
6.4End of Tensions Across the World
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