What was
the Truman Doctrine? Doctrine Definition
for kids
What is a Doctrine?
Definition: A Doctrine is a set of beliefs held by a politician or
political party and used as a statement of government policy,
especially in relation to foreign affairs. The Truman Doctrine was
set out in a speech to Congress by President Harry Truman on March
27, 1947.
What was
the Truman Doctrine? Truman Doctrine Facts
for kids
The following fact
sheet contains interesting information, history and
facts on Truman Doctrine for kids.
Truman Doctrine
Facts for kids
Truman Doctrine
Facts - 1: The United States
had become increasingly alarmed at the rising power of
the USSR and the spread of Communism in the countries
behind the Iron Curtain
Truman Doctrine
Facts - 2: Not content with their
influence over the communist-dominated governments in the 'Satellite
Nations' of East Germany, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland,
Romania and Albania, the USSR sought to extend their power and
communism to other countries in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Two of the Soviet's targets were Turkey and Greece.
Truman Doctrine
Facts - 3: The Soviet
takeover of many of the countries of eastern Europe was
achieved using ‘salami tactics’. Salami tactics, or the
'salami-slice strategy', used a divide and conquer
process of alliances and threats to overcome opposition.
The USSR were adopting the strategy of ‘salami tactics’
in order to dominate Eastern Europe, piece by piece.
Truman Doctrine
Facts - 4: Greece was one of the few
countries in Eastern Europe that had not turned communist. The Greek
Civil War (1946–1949) had erupted and the Communist rebels in Greece
were only prevented from taking over the country by the British
Army.
Truman Doctrine
Facts - 5: Turkey was
involved in the Turkish Straits crisis. Following WW2
Turkey was being pressurized by the Soviet government
for joint control of the sea ports of the Dardanelles
and allow Russian shipping to flow freely through the
Turkish Straits. The Turkish Straits, which connected
the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, were not only
extremely important trade route but were also critical
in terms of the Soviet military strategy. Whoever
controlled of traffic through the Turkish straits could
use them as an exit or entry points for naval forces to
travel to and from the Black Sea.
Truman Doctrine
Facts - 6: The British were experiencing
serious financial difficulties following WW2 and could no longer
afford the expense of providing military aid.
Truman Doctrine
Facts - 7: The Truman
Doctrine responded to the crisis in Greece. On March 27,
1947 President Harry Truman asked Congress to support
the Greek Government with military and economic
assistance against the Communists. He also asked
Congress to provide assistance for Turkey to help them
resist the communist threat.
Truman Doctrine
Facts - 8: A victory for the
Communists in the Greek Civil War would in turn endanger
the political stability of its near neighbors Turkey and
undermine the political stability of the Middle East.
Truman Doctrine
Facts - 9: The Middle East
was of immense strategic importance to US national
security and Truman believed it was imperative for
America to intervene.
Continued...
Truman Doctrine
Facts for kids
What was the Truman Doctrine?
Facts
about the Truman Doctrine Facts for kids
The following fact
sheet continues with interesting information, history and facts
on Truman Doctrine for kids.
Truman Doctrine
Facts for kids
Facts - 10:
The president
requested Congress to provide financial aid
to both the Greek and Turkish Governments and to support
the dispatch of American civilian and military personnel
and equipment to the regions.
Facts -
11: The Truman
Doctrine stated that the United States would support
"free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by
armed minorities or by outside pressures."
Facts -
12: The US policy of
Containment was a key element of the Truman Doctrine, in
fact the president's address to Congress is also known
as ‘Truman’s containment speech’. The policy of
containment aimed at restricting Soviet expansion by
keeping communism within its present territory by
diplomatic, military and economic actions.
Facts - 13:
The President cautioned Congress that it was the duty of
the United States to quash the communist aggression in Turkey and
Greece.
Facts - 14:
The Truman Doctrine was of
immense importance in the Cold War and it set out many of its
principles. The Cold War was defined as a conflict between good and
bad, and a choice between communism or capitalism, dictatorship or
democracy, and freedom or oppression.
Facts - 15:
The President's speech became
known as the Truman Doctrine and heralded an important change in
American foreign policy.
Facts - 16:
The Truman Doctrine completely
overturned the
Monroe
Doctrine which had advocated the
principle of neutrality and had been the major influence over US
government and foreign policy since 1823.
Facts - 17:
The Truman
Doctrine gave rise to the
Domino Theory which related to
the spread of communist rule during the Cold War. The
Domino theory speculated that if one area came under the
influence of communism, then the surrounding countries
would follow in a crashing domino effect.
Facts - 18:
The Truman Doctrine led directly to the
Marshall
Plan which was ratified by Congress in 1948. The Marshall Plan
can be termed as the "Truman Doctrine- Phase II".
Facts - 19:
The Truman Doctrine had no specific policy for
other regions, like the Middle East or Asiaand this omission was
addressed in the
Eisenhower Doctrine
in 1957.
Truman Doctrine
Facts for kids
President Harry Truman Video
The article on the
Truman Doctrine provides detailed facts and a summary of one of the important events during his presidential term in office. The following
video will
give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 33rd American President whose presidency spanned from April 12, 1945 to January 20, 1953.
Truman Doctrine
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Interesting Facts about Truman Doctrine for kids and schools
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Summary and Definition of the Truman Doctrine in US history
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Truman Doctrine Facts with important dates and key
events
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Truman Doctrine Facts with important dates and key
events
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Fast, fun, interesting
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Foreign & Domestic
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