REACTION OF THE WEST

1. By Mr Crowewww.SchoolHistory.co.uk REACTION OF THE WEST MARSHALL AND TRUMAN WHO?

2. THE TRUMAN DOCTRINE

3. What was it….. It was very simple….. Whereas before WW2 the USA had been isolationist and not got involved in Europe….NOW…… Because of the fear of Communism the USA was prepared to intervene throughout the world to protect democracy against communism…. By lending equipment, advice etc ( and eventually military force) The main aim was to stop communism spreading further This policy was called CONTAINMENT

4. THE MARSHALL PLAN 1947(Marshall Aid) • What Was it? • An American response to the poverty and hardship in post war Europe • Who was Marshall? • An American General and American Secretary of State, sent to assess the economic state of Europe

5. It was thought that these were the conditions in which communism thrived WHY? Economies in ruins Shortages of goods Bread still rationed Coal shortages – in GB electricity cuts each day Details

6. Marshall’s reaction • Lend 17 million dollars to Europe • Congress against it UNTIL Czechoslovakia became Communist and death of Jan Masaryk • 1948 – Plan passes by Congress – to last four years • CNN Cold War - Episode Script: Marshall Plan

7. What a nice gesture by the Americans. • Yes BUT….. • The aid came in the form of goods made by American firms • So there was an element of American self-interest to prevent another depression in USA CNN - Cold War

8. And Stalin • He hated Marshall Aid!! • Forbade Eastern European countries from having anything to do with it • Regarded as anti-Communist • Feared that it might weaken his hold on Eastern Bloc • And Eastern countries would swing to the US dollar. • CNN Cold War - Episode Script: Marshall Plan