Question

The basic cause of conflict lay in the differences of principles between the communist and democratic states. In this context, explain how the following events led to the development of the Cold War :

The Truman Doctrine.

Answer 1

The Truman Doctrine: The Truman Doctrine was an American foreign policy whose stated purpose was to counter Soviet geopolitical expansion during the Cold War. The Truman Doctrine implied American support for other nations which were allegedly threatened by Soviet communism. The Truman Doctrine became the foundation of American foreign policy and led to the formation of NATO in 1949, a military alliance that is still in effect.
As per the Truman Doctrine, the policy of the United States was to support people who were resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures. Truman made a plea in the midst of the Greek Civil War (1946 – 9). He argued that if Greece and Turkey did not receive the aid, they would inevitably fall to communism with grave consequences throughout the region.

In fact, the Doctrine set a precedent for American assistance to anti-communist regimes throughout the world, no matter how undemocratic, and for the creation of a set of global military alliances directed against the Soviet Union.

In 1952, both Greece and Turkey joined NATO, a military alliance, to guarantee their stability.
The Truman Doctrine was informally extended to become the basis of American Cold War policy throughout Europe and around the world. It shifted American foreign policy towards the Soviet Union from detente to a policy of containment of Soviet expansion as advocated by diplomat George Kennan.