What was happening in Greece and Turkey in the late 1940’s? Was it a success or failure of containment?
Neither country adopted a Communist government or economy. They were U.S. allies.
http://www.workmall.com/wfb2001/greece/greece_history_timeline.html
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/details/History/Timeline.html
The truman doctrine ensured Greece and Turkey's freedom from possible communistic rule. In reguards to the Arm race, the U.S. put nuclear weapon in Turkey during the Cuban Missile Crisis
In the late 1940s, Greece and Turkey were both facing significant political and social challenges. Greece had emerged from World War II devastated by occupation and was plagued by a communist insurgency known as the Greek Civil War. Turkey, on the other hand, was dealing with economic difficulties and external pressure from the Soviet Union, which sought to expand its influence in the region.
This particular period in Greece and Turkey is closely linked to the broader policy of containment pursued by the United States during the Cold War. The Truman Doctrine, announced in 1947, provided both financial and military support to Greece and Turkey in order to combat communist expansion. The goal was to prevent the influence of the Soviet Union from spreading throughout the Eastern Mediterranean.
As for evaluating the success or failure of containment in Greece and Turkey, it is important to consider several factors. In Greece, with the support from the United States, the Greek government was able to suppress the communist insurgency and assert control over the country. However, the conflict resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction, and it took several years for Greece to stabilize politically and economically.
In Turkey, the American aid helped strengthen the government, stabilize the economy, and modernize its military. This support also helped Turkey resist Soviet encroachments in the region. Ultimately, these efforts were successful in preventing the spread of communism in both Greece and Turkey.
Therefore, looking at the broader goal of containment, it can be argued that it was largely successful in Greece and Turkey. Despite challenges and uncertainties, both countries remained non-communist and aligned with the Western bloc. However, it is important to acknowledge the complexities and limitations of containment and its long-term consequences, as the Cold War continued to shape global affairs for decades to come.