how were the truman doctrine and the marshall plan relevant to the american foreign policy goal of containment?
They won us friends who would not turn toward the Soviet Union and Communism.
Check these sites.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/cwr/82210.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Plan
The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan were two significant elements of American foreign policy during the Cold War, specifically in relation to the policy of containment. To understand their relevance, let's first explain what the policy of containment was.
The policy of containment was a strategy developed by the United States to prevent the spread of communism, particularly the influence of the Soviet Union, to other countries around the world. The goal was to "contain" communism within its existing borders and prevent its expansion.
The Truman Doctrine, announced by President Harry Truman in 1947, was a key step in implementing the policy of containment. It stated that the United States would provide political, military, and economic support to countries facing Communist threats. Truman framed it as a need to resist the spread of communism, which he believed was a threat to democracy and freedom.
Now, let's discuss the relevance of the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan to the policy of containment:
1. Truman Doctrine: The Truman Doctrine was a direct response to the Communist threat in Greece and Turkey. The United States provided military aid to these countries, effectively protecting them from communist takeovers. By providing assistance to nations facing Communist aggression, the United States displayed its commitment to containing the spread of communism.
2. Marshall Plan: The Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Program, was a large-scale economic aid initiative proposed by Secretary of State George Marshall in 1947. Its primary goal was to rebuild war-torn Europe and revive its economies. The plan provided extensive financial and technical assistance to Western European countries.
The Marshall Plan played a crucial role in containment by addressing the economic recovery and stability of European nations. By offering substantial assistance, the United States aimed to create stable and prosperous democracies in Europe, making them less vulnerable to communist influence. It sought to prevent economic and political instability that could lead to the rise of communist movements.
In summary, both the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan were relevant to the policy of containment by actively countering the spread of communism. The Truman Doctrine provided military support, while the Marshall Plan focused on economic recovery and stability. Together, these measures aimed to safeguard the United States and its allies against Communist expansion, reinforcing the strategy of containment.