LAD #36 The Truman Doctrine

Summary of the Truman Doctrine, in President Truman's March 1947 address before a joint session of Congress:

In his address, Truman emphasizes that the United States needs to aid in the reconstruction of Greece. Greece had nearly all of its financial assets and resources destroyed during WWII, and since the war its government has been defied by thousands of Communist-led armed men. The government is requesting American economic aid, and American advisors to help distribute the aid and supervise the country's reconstruction. Both America and Great Britain had previously been supporting Greece, but to inadequate levels, and Great Britain is no longer capable of supplying aid.

Truman states that Turkey also requires American support. He goes on to discuss the implications of U.S. involvement, saying that the foreign policy of the United Sates is to "create conditions in which we and other nations will be able to work out a way of life free from coercion." He states that the UN was founded to "make possible the lasting freedom and independence for all its members." Then he claims that the U.S. protested the violation of the Yalta agreement in Poland, Bulgaria, Rumania, and other nations. Thus, the U.S. must take immediate action to save Greece and Turkey. Truman proposes spending $400,000,000 to provide authority and assistance to Greece. If Greece falls, than Turkey may also fall, and if both fall, they would have a profound effect upon the other despairing free nations of Europe. As Truman said, "The seeds of totalitarian regimes are nurtured by misery and want. They spread and grow in the evil soil of poverty and strife. They reach their full growth when the hope of a people for a better life has died. We must keep that hope alive."


"The free peoples of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms."