The Cold War Begins
US Policy in Europe, 1945-55US Policy in Europe, 1945-55
Truman Doctrine (1947)
Spark: Greek civil war
US would assist Greece and Turkey
Containment
Start of Cold War
Critical Thinking
Why did Truman focus on economic measures over military?
Containment Policy
George F. Kennan: American Diplomat “Long Telegram”
Let Soviet Union defeat itself (or mellow)
Basis of Truman Doctrine
Marshall Plan (1947)
George Marshall, Secretary of State
European Recovery Program US gives aid to Europe to help stave off
appeal of communism Even offered to Soviet bloc countries if
they would make political reforms
US spent about $13 billion
Kennan on Containment
1. US must keep communism where it isa. Don’t remove it by forceb. But don’t let it spread!
2. US must remain united; demonstrate resolve
3. Western Allies must stay united
Berlin Airlift (1948)
Soviets decide to cut off access to Berlin by land
Truman orders airlift to Berlin; lasts over a year At height of airlift, one plane lands
every minute
Soviets end blockade in May, 1949
The New Germanys (1949) US, British and
French areas become Federal Republic of Germany (BRD)
Soviet area becomes German Democratic Republic (DDR)
NATO (1949)
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Collective security
West Germany joins in 1955
Warsaw Pact (1955)
Soviet answer to NATO Soviet Union Poland East Germany Bulgaria Hungary Romania Albania
Critical Thinking
Do you think it would be possible to countries in Europe to resist taking sides in the Cold War?