What is the significance of the Truman Doctrine?
This site has a number of excellent sites on that topic.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Truman+Doctrine&btnG=Google+Search
I would start with the Wikipedia and then check out some of the others.
Thank you.
The Truman Doctrine is significant as it marked a pivotal turning point in the foreign policy of the United States during the Cold War era. It was announced by President Harry S. Truman in 1947 with the aim of containing the spread of communism and supporting countries resisting subjugation by communist forces.
To understand its significance, let me explain the context and how you can derive the answer:
1. Cold War Context: After World War II, the world became polarized into two ideological blocs led by the United States (capitalist democracy) and the Soviet Union (communist). The Truman Doctrine emerged as a response to the growing influence of the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe and the fear that communism would spread further.
2. Containment Policy: The Truman Doctrine embodied the U.S. strategy of "containment," which aimed to prevent the expansion of communist influence. It signaled a departure from the pre-war U.S. policy of isolationism, as the United States pledged to provide both military and economic aid to countries threatened by communism.
3. Aid to Greece and Turkey: The doctrine was first implemented in support of Greece and Turkey, which were facing communist insurgencies. Truman requested funds from Congress to provide military assistance to both countries and prevent communist takeovers. The Truman Doctrine was thus seen as a justification for U.S. intervention in international affairs to maintain a balance of power.
4. Global Implications: The Truman Doctrine had far-reaching implications beyond Greece and Turkey. It established a precedent and set the stage for subsequent U.S. involvement in the Cold War, including the creation of alliances like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and interventions in Korea and Vietnam.
In summary, the significance of the Truman Doctrine lies in its establishment of the containment policy, which defined U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War. It marked a departure from isolationism and laid the groundwork for American intervention in global affairs to prevent the spread of communism.