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Cold War develops Aim:To understand how USA used financial aid to fightCommunism in post-war Europe (Marshall Plan)Imagine you were reading this at the breakfast table, havea conversation with your neighbour, what might have beensaid? How does this headline make you feel? What is ittrying to say?
Key terms:Before WW2After WW2Isolationism:Containment:US policy before WW2 wasIsolationism, basically stayingout of other countries affairs,especially Europe’s as it is “sofar away” anyway!US policy after WW2 wasContainment (limiting thespread of something), basicallystopping the spread ofCommunism outside a smallnumber of countries
What was the impact of the Truman Doctrine?Kennan’s ’Long Telegram’ confirmed Truman’s worst fearsStalin intended to spread Communism across EuropeTruman’s military advisorstold Truman the Sovietsweren't strong enough tofight the USA. Truman saidthey didn't need to fight toincrease their territoriesand power.What would you do if you were Truman at this stage?What can you see here, and why might this help Stalin out?
Post war damage in Europe Many European countries were in ruins Homes, factories, infrastructure (roads, railways) Poverty increases with anger and desperationCommunism is actually quiteattractive right now, the wealth ofthe rich will be redistributed(shared) to help us all, not just thefew at the top!I see what Stalin is offering us!
So, you see, Stalin doesn't need to go towar, he has a perfect scenario, thepeople are already discontented, he justneeds to slightly influence them andthey fall to the evil Red!When you put it like that!So, what can we do aboutthis then?What is Truman’s problem?The bottom line is, war is not an option, sothe Soviets and Communism MUST becontained (Containment)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v Xyoviiavusk
Truman Doctrine12 March 1947Truman hoped the wealthier countries ofEurope could influence and support post warEurope and show the Capitalism was goodand make Communism seem less attractive,but Britain and France were nearly bankruptChain of events:Revolutions in Greece and Turkey, supported by CommunistsBritain announced it could no longer support the Greeks against Communist guerrillas12 March 1947Truman decided enough was enough and it was time the USA took actionHint: Remember the narrative Q, what connectives could you use here?
Truman Doctrine12 March 1947There are two ways of life whichevery nation must choose. The firstway offers MAJORITY rule andfreedom from political oppression.The second is for the will of theMINORITY to be forced upon it’smajority – Communism!It’s simple, its choosing Good orEvil. The evil of Communism shouldnot be allowed to grow, we areprepared to send troops and aid tosupport those fighting to resist it!Summarise into your own wordswhat Truman is saying here.
Truman Doctrine12 March 1947The second way of life relies uponterror and oppression, a controlledpress and radio; fixed elections, andthe suppression of personalfreedoms.I believe that our help should beprimarily through economic andfinancial aid which is essential toeconomic stability and orderlypolitical processes.It is our DUTY to interfere here.What else is he saying?What is he asking Congress to allow?
Truman Doctrine12 March 1947Truman announced he wouldsend an economic aid package toGreece & Turkey. The USA wouldprovide American civilian andmilitary personnel to the regionand give 400 million in aidWhy do you think USAcan afford this?
A Russian cartoon about Americaninvolvement in Greece.What is this sources message?This ‘American duty’ is just a smokescreenfor a plan of expansion . They try to takecontrol of Greece by shouting about‘totalitarianism’.
Marshall PlanJune 1947FightingCommunism withfinancial aid
Marshall Plan June 1947In June 1947, the American general George Marshall went toEurope. He said every country in Europe was so poor that it was indanger of turning Communist! Europe was ‘a breeding ground ofhate’. Marshall said that America should give 17 billion of aid to getEurope’s economy going and stop Communism.Marshall said that it was up to the countries of Europe to decidewhat they needed. In July 1947, led by Britain and France, thecountries of western Europe met in Paris, and asked for substantialeconomic aid.Our policy is directed not against any country ordoctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation andchaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a workingeconomy in the world so as to permit the emergenceof political and social conditions in which freeinstitutions can exist.How might this speech have beenaccepted by Western Europe and Stalin?
Stick your source in andannotate itWhat is the message of this USsource?
Truman Doctrine Effective? Congress did not want to pass the MarshallPlan. In Feb 1948 the Communists took overCzechoslovakia – Congress was scared and votedfor the Plan in March 1948. Marshall aid was open to all Europeancountries, including the Soviet ‘satellite’ states.16 nations asked for help including UK andGermany. By 1950, industrial production in W. Europehad increased by 25%. Industrial unrest in France and Italy ended andcommunist interest decreased. Between 1948 and 1952, 12.7 Billion hadbeen provided added to 13 Billion before theplan even started!
Truman Doctrine Effective?Impact was enormous although it took until the 1950s for the full effects to be seen.British foreign secretary (Ernest Bevin) called it “a lifeline to sinking men, giving hopewhere there was none”.Other typesof aid, notjust moneyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v 4v3SqCxcSug
Soviet Response:GM Malenkov, a Soviet politician, speaking in 1947 about the Marshall Plan.“The ruling gang of American imperialists has taken the path of open expansion, ofenslaving weakened capitalist countries.It has hatched new war plans against the Soviet Union. Imitating Hitler, the newaggressors are using blackmail.”
Soviet Response:Like I’ve said all along, this Truman Doctrine and Marshall Aid is proof they are trying toinfluence and dominate the world.Surely this is undermining the United Nations that we agreed on at Tehran, it’s mean tobe the UN, all of us working together, not the duty of the USA to protect the world.They are simply using economic power to divide Europe in two with an AmericanEmpire to the west! Dollar imperialism this is! It is a disgrace!
Soviet Response: Stalin forced his soviet satellites to withdraw application for Marshall Planfunding therefore stopping USA influencing Eastern Europe. Set up COMINFORM in 1947 and COMECON in 1949 to counter the MarshallPlan for his satellite states and Communist supporting countries.
COMINFORM 1947Communist Information BureauStalin could direct and control thegovernments of the satellite states withCominform. They would not only followcommunism but take orders from Moscow. Political organisation set up by Stalin 22ndSeptember 19479 Members (Soviet Union, Communistparties of Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia,Hungary, Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia,France and Italy.Yugoslav Communists led by Tito wasstrongest support.Members were encouraged to trade withother Cominform members and contactwith non-communists was discouraged.First meeting saw Propaganda beingspread comparing USA to Nazi GermanyTensions soon grew between Yugoslaviaand Soviet Union and Tito was expelledfrom Cominform.
COMECON 1949Council for Mutual Economic AssistanceAlternative to Marshall Aid for Communistcountries, so Stalin could then control andinfluence the East. Set up 25 January 1949, 2 years after theMarshall Plan as announced.Members were: Soviet Union, Bulgaria,Czecholsovakia, Hungary, Poland,Romania and East Germany. Albaniajoined in 1950.Supported economic developments in itsmember states, initially arranging tradeand credit agreements.1953 saw Comecon being used toorganise industrial planning across allsatellite states - Nationalised industry andCollectivised agriculture.Trade with USA & Western Europe wasdiscouraged.
Impact on international relations: Any lingering belief there was still the ‘Grand Alliance’was gone as USA had set itself up directly against Stalinand invited other nations to join them againstCommunism. Stalin’s suspicions were reinforced, he was now sure theUSA were trying to crush the Soviet Union. Marshall Plan successfully tied Western Europe to USA,Comecon tied Eastern Europe to Soviet Union; therewas now two economic and political camps. Stalin’s setting up of Comecon and Cominform led tothe creation of NATO Which in turn led to the creation of the Sovietequivalent, the Warsaw Pact. Europe was now an intense East Vs. West rivalrybetween countries trying to win diplomatic and politicalvictories over their opponents.
The Russian newspaper Izvestia, March1947.This ‘American duty’ is just a smokescreenfor a plan of expansion . They try to takecontrol of Greece by shouting about‘totalitarianism’.President Truman, speaking in March 1947.Every nation must choose between differentways of life . We must help free peoples towork out their own destiny in their own way.GM Malenkov, a Soviet politician, speakingin 1947 about the Marshall Plan.“The ruling gang of American imperialistshas taken the path of open expansion, ofenslaving weakened capitalist countries.It has hatched new war plans against theSoviet Union. Imitating Hitler, the newaggressors are using blackmail.”Describe the events of 1947-49 asthough you were a communist.HomeworkUsing your notes and www.stchistory.comDescribe the events of 1947-49 asthough you were American
In June 1947, the American general George Marshall went to Europe. He saideverycountry in Europe was so poor that it was in danger of turning Communist! Europe was 'a breeding ground of hate'. Marshall said that America should give 17 billion of aid to get Europe's economy going and stop Communism.
