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The Truman Doctrine | Primary Source Essentials

How did the Truman Doctrine expand American global commitments to preserving democracy during the Cold War? In this rapid-fire episode of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials, learn how President Truman appealed to Congress to deliver aid to Greece and Turkey and the commitment of the United States to contain Soviet expansion around the globe. Discover the main points discussed in the Truman Doctrine and how this document fit in well with American foreign policy.

0:01 Welcome to Primary Source Essentials. In this episode, we will briefly discuss the Truman Doctrine and how it expanded American global commitment to preserving democracy during the Cold War. In the years after World War Two, the United States and the Soviet Union were locked in a struggle for domination called the Cold War. The United States wanted to spread freedom,

0:23 democracy and free enterprise around the world. The Soviet Union, meanwhile, established totalitarian control in Eastern Europe, supported communist movements in Western Europe, and pressured Turkey for bases in the Turkish Straits. When the When the British informed the United States that they could no longer afford to fight a communist insurgency in Greece,

0:46 president Harry Truman asked Congress to send aid to Greece and Turkey and commit to supporting all free peoples resisting communism, as part of a policy of containment of Soviet expansion. President Truman told Congress that the United States was the only country willing and able to provide assistance to Greece and Turkey to halt the spread of communism.

1:08 He argued that aid fit in well with an American foreign policy based upon the principle of supporting free government and self-determination for people around the globe. Truman said, I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities, or by outside pressures.

1:31 The United States sent $400 million in aid to Greece and Turkey to preserve democracy and secure the strategically important areas. So the Truman Doctrine had an expansive vision of American foreign policy that was part of the growing U.S. commitment to contain Soviet expansion around the globe during the Cold War.

1:53 Thanks for watching. And check out the other videos in Primary Source Essentials.

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