Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan Flashcards Preview

History IGCSE (CIE) Cold War > Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan > Flashcards

Flashcards in Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan Deck (24)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

When did Truman announce the Truman Doctrine?

A

March 1947

2
Q

What was the Truman Doctrine announced in response to?

A

British troops withdrawing from Greece - and thus the need for US support

3
Q

What was Truman’s initial request?

A

That $400 million be sent to Greece and Turkey to prevent them falling to Communism

4
Q

Complete the quote from Truman. “I believe it must be the policy of the United States to support _________ ____________ who are resisting __________ __________”

A

free peoples, attempted subjugation (attempts to dominate them)

5
Q

How did Truman believe ‘free peoples’ could be supported?

A

Through economic and financial aid, to ensure political stability

6
Q

What did Truman’s policy of opposing Communism become known as?

A

Containment

7
Q

Why did Stalin hate the Truman Doctrine?

A

He saw it as aggressive, as now the USA were actively opposing Communism

8
Q

Who did Truman send to Europe to assess its economic state?

A

American General George Marshall

9
Q

What did Marshall find in Europe?

A

A totally ruined continent with shortages in food and other goods such as coal (making winters awful)

10
Q

How did Churchill describe Europe?

A

As a “breeding ground of hate”

11
Q

How much did Marshall suggest Europe needed to rebuild?

A

$17 billion

12
Q

Although Truman agreed that Europe needed money, why did he not send it straight away?

A

He needed the approval of Congress, which initially refused ($17 billion was an enormous sum of money)

13
Q

Which key event made the US Congress change its mind about the Marshall Plan?

A

The Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia

14
Q

What happened in Czechoslovakia in March 1948?

A
  • From 1946, Communists had been the largest party, but had ruled as part of a coalition (a govt. of more than one party)
  • In 1948, anti-Soviet leaders were purged and Communists took full control
  • Jan Masaryk, a pro-American minister, was found dead in suspicious circumstances
15
Q

Who was Jan Masaryk and why was he important?

A

He was a pro-American Czechoslovak minister. He was found dead in 1948 in suspicious circumstances. His death led to Congress approving the Marshall Plan

16
Q

Why was the Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia important?

A

It prompted the US Congress to approve the $17 billion in aid for Europe to help prevent Communism spreading further

17
Q

Why was Marshall Aid partly motivated by self-interest?

A

Because it opened up new markets for American goods (e.g. a prosperous Britain/France could buy from American manufacturers)

18
Q

What did Stalin call the Marshall Plan?

A

An example of ‘dollar imperialism’ - i.e. the USA trying to spread its influence by making countries dependent on US money

19
Q

What did Stalin forbid eastern European countries to do?

A

Bid for or accept any Marshall Aid

20
Q

What did Stalin create to combat Marshall Aid?

A

Comecon (Com – econ)

21
Q

What was Comecon?

A

An organisation to control economic planning in eastern Europe

22
Q

What did Comecon allow Stalin to do?

A

Control the economies of eastern Europe for Russia’s benefit

23
Q

When did Stalin establish Comecon?

A

1949

24
Q

Define ‘doctrine’

A

A belief