The Truman Doctrine
Harry S. Truman
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Development of the Truman DoctrineThe threat of more countries being forced into communism is what really pushed the development of the Truman Doctrine. The Truman Doctrine was announced on March 12, 1947, establishing that the United States would provide political, military and economic assistance to all democratic nations under threat from external or internal authoritarian forces. It was also a huge step towards the beginning of the Cold War.
The Truman Doctrine says that the Greek Government has asked the U.S. for financial and economic assistance a number of times. Throughout Truman's speech, it becomes very apparent that Greek is in critical need for U.S. aid and assistance. "Reports from the American Economic Mission now in Greece and reports from the American Ambassador in Greece corroborate the statement of the Greek Government that assistance is imperative if Greece is to survive as a free nation" said Harry S. Truman.
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Truman explains that there is no reason not to help any country in their fight against communism, especially Greece. Who he continues to explain is an "industrious, peace loving country [who] has suffered invasion, four years of cruel enemy occupation, and bitter internal strife".
Greece is in absolute urgent need of assistance at this point, Truman reminds everyone once again. Retreating Germans had destroyed virtually all the railways, roads, port facilities, communications, and merchant marine. More than a thousand villages had been burned. Eighty-five percent of the children were effected by tuberculosis. Livestock, poultry, and draft animals had almost disappeared. Inflation had wiped out practically all savings, continues Truman.
With this information, Truman points out once again that the people of Greece simply "cannot make progress in solving their problems of reconstruction. Greece is in desperate need of financial and economic assistance."
Greece is in absolute urgent need of assistance at this point, Truman reminds everyone once again. Retreating Germans had destroyed virtually all the railways, roads, port facilities, communications, and merchant marine. More than a thousand villages had been burned. Eighty-five percent of the children were effected by tuberculosis. Livestock, poultry, and draft animals had almost disappeared. Inflation had wiped out practically all savings, continues Truman.
With this information, Truman points out once again that the people of Greece simply "cannot make progress in solving their problems of reconstruction. Greece is in desperate need of financial and economic assistance."