Premium Essay

Truman and the Cold War

In:

Submitted By Adenike1997
Words 307
Pages 2
Resource Record Sheet Template

Assignment Title __Assess the short-term significance of Truman's foreign policy on international relations in the years 1945-47.

|Issue |Sources |Comments |Teachers comments and |
| | | |initials |
|Truman’s foreign |International Relations 1879-2004, Derrick Murphy,|Comparing Truman and Roosevelt | |
|policies in the years |Terry Morris 2008. Pg 114-118. |During the tenure of President Roosevelt, the US and USSR were on a friendly level. Evidence- Yalta Conference of 1945. | |
|1945-47, causes and | |The relationship changed during Truman’s tenure as president because of his limited knowledge on foreign affairs. He had a | |
|catalysts. | |direct and abrasive style when dealing with representatives of the soviet union E.g. Soviet foreign minister, Molotov. | |
| | |Foreign policies of President Truman and significance. | |
| | |1946- President Truman adopted Atomic diplomacy-

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Truman Doctrine

...The Truman Doctrine [Student’s Name] [Name of Institution] [Date] The Truman Doctrine Introduction The fall of the Soviet empire has presented various political and economic opportunities and threats to the world, for these reasons it’s considered one of the major events taking place since the Second World War. The Soviet fall besides various internal factors has been facilitated by US and Western counter parts to attempt to contain further Communism. The Truman doctrine was a US strategy to halt expansion of Soviet Union in the course of the Cold War. In this doctrine the then US President Harry S. Truman vowed to contain the spread of communism in the world particularly in Europe. This doctrine encouraged the US to back every country with both economic and military assistance if the Soviet Union or communism threats its stability. The aim of this paper is to review The Truman Doctrine was one of the significant historical approaches deployed between 1945 and 2008 that has had both negative and positive outcomes for the world. Historical Background In order to analyze the Truman doctrine and its different elements, it is necessary to consider the complex historical context in which it originated, and one that explains how a president such as Harry Truman, laid the foundations seated on the principles of the emerging American political realism after the Second World War (Bostdorff, 2008). The creation of international organizations like the UN itself and its Security...

Words: 2775 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

History

...How far do you agree that the origins of the Cold War were mainly due to Stalin´s foreign policy of expansionism? Soviet actions after 1945 were seen in the West as part of a concerned attempt to expand the communist world. The collapse of Nazi Germany in 1945 had left a power vacuum in large part of central and Eastern Europe which Stalin, using the presence of the Red Army, took advantage of in order to strengthen the position of the USSR and spread communism. When looking at the events of the early years of the Cold War there would seem to be much evidence to support this. Development of the Cold War, in the five years between 1945 and 1950, could be argued as taking place for a number of reasons and due to various individuals. It could be easy to simply site Stalin as the main reason responsible for its outbreak and growth, clear through his approach on communist expansion, use of Red Army and inability to uphold agreements. However, for a war of any king to develop, there is always more than one party involved and the USA and its President Harry Truman could also be said to have contributed to the development of the Cold War; partly because of being aggressive to Stalin- taking an Iron Fist on dealings with Russia through polices such as the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan. Issues such as Britain and Churchill´s Iron Curtain Speech can also be seen as hindering relations between the two superpowers in the Cold War, and therefore playing a role in its development...

Words: 1779 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

What Were The Effects Of The American Doctrine, And The Nsc-68

...Thesis: The U.S had many policies that affected the cold war. A few of these policies were Containment, Truman Doctrine, and the NSC-68. During the Cold War the United States came up with away to isolate or contain the spread of communism and it was known as Containment. According to Quizlet this policy “stated that communism should be kept from spreading, but not attacked at its source. Intended to keep other countries from falling under the control of the USSR.” The policy affected the American foreign policy by causing tension. This policy also affected the cold war by causing relations with the U.S and the Soviet Union to be very untrustworthy and antagonistic. Ultimately this would lead for aid and support when avoiding communist....

Words: 368 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

How Far Do You Agree with the View That the Development of the Cold War in the Period 1945-50 Was the Result of Stalin’s Foreign Policy?

...the view that the development of the Cold War in the period 1945-50 was the result of Stalin’s foreign policy? Development of the Cold War, in the five years between 1945 and 1950, could be argued as taking place for a number of reasons and due to various individuals. It could be easy to simply site Stalin as the main reason responsible for it’s outbreak and growth, clear through his approach on communist expansion, use of Red Army and inability to uphold agreements. However for a war of any kind to develop there is always more than one party involved and the USA and it’s president Truman could also be said to have contributed to the developing of Cold War, arguably being equally aggressive as Stalin – taking an Iron fist on dealings with Russia through policies such as the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan, as well as his direction over the US involvement in the Korean War. However issues such as Britain and Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech, as well as the birth of McCarthyism in America, can also be seen as hindering relations between the two superpowers of the Cold War and therefore playing a role in it’s development. Whether Stalin was to blame for the Cold War can also be judged and evaluated through the use of sources, offering a number of interpretations, from extreme Orthodox and Revisionist views to the more diplomatic reasonings of the post revisionist stance. It is correct to say that development of the Cold War, between 1945 and 50, was definitely...

Words: 3196 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

How Far Do You Agree with the View That the Development of the Cold War in the Period 1945-50 Was the Result of Stalin’s Foreign Policy?

...Development of the Cold War, in the five years between 1945 and 1950, could be argued as taking place for a number of reasons and due to various individuals. It could be easy to simply site Stalin as the main reason responsible for it’s outbreak and growth, clear through his approach on communist expansion, use of Red Army and inability to uphold agreements. However for a war of any kind to develop there is always more than one party involved and the USA and it’s president Truman could also be said to have contributed to the developing of Cold War, arguably being equally aggressive as Stalin – taking an Iron fist on dealings with Russia through policies such as the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan, as well as his direction over the US involvement in the Korean War. However issues such as Britain and Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech, as well as the birth of McCarthyism in America, can also be seen as hindering relations between the two superpowers of the Cold War and therefore playing a role in it’s development. Whether Stalin was to blame for the Cold War can also be judged and evaluated through the use of sources, offering a number of interpretations, from extreme Orthodox and Revisionist views to the more diplomatic reasonings of the post revisionist stance. It is correct to say that development of the Cold War, between 1945 and 50, was definitely impacted and heightened through provocative, and at times, aggressive actions on foreign policy, taken by Stalin. An example...

Words: 3132 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

.How Far Do You Agree with the View That the Development of the Cold War in the Period 1945-50 Was the Result of Stalin’s Foreign Policy?

...with the view that the development of the Cold War in the period 1945-50 was the result of Stalin’s foreign policy? Development of the Cold War, in the five years between 1945 and 1950, could be argued as taking place for a number of reasons and due to various individuals. It could be easy to simply site Stalin as the main reason responsible for it’s outbreak and growth, clear through his approach on communist expansion, use of Red Army and inability to uphold agreements. However for a war of any kind to develop there is always more than one party involved and the USA and it’s president Truman could also be said to have contributed to the developing of Cold War, arguably being equally aggressive as Stalin – taking an Iron fist on dealings with Russia through policies such as the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan, as well as his direction over the US involvement in the Korean War. However issues such as Britain and Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech, as well as the birth of McCarthyism in America, can also be seen as hindering relations between the two superpowers of the Cold War and therefore playing a role in it’s development. Whether Stalin was to blame for the Cold War can also be judged and evaluated through the use of sources, offering a number of interpretations, from extreme Orthodox and Revisionist views to the more diplomatic reasonings of the post revisionist stance. It is correct to say that development of the Cold War, between 1945 and 50, was definitely impacted...

Words: 3160 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

The Truman Doctrine

...The Truman Doctrine Shortly after World War II had ended the Cold War began in 1945. The Cold War was fought between the United States and the U.S.S.R. The Cold War got its name because it never got “hot” with action of an actual battle. It was more of a verbal fighting and threating to blow up each other but never actually doing it. When the United States decided to drop a bomb on Japan, the U.S.S.R was mad the United States had secretly developed the bomb. Then Russia started spreading communism and the Truman Doctrine helped stop the spread of communism. According to www.historylearningsite.co.uk/truman_doctrine, The Truman doctrine happened March 12, 1947. It was a speech by President Harry S. Truman. The Truman Doctrine gave economic and military aid to Greece and Turkey because they were threatened by communism. At this point in time there was already a policy trying to contain communism called the Containment Policy. The Containment Policy was a reaction to a series of moves by the Soviet Union to expand communist influence in Eastern European, China, Korea, and Vietnam. Similar to the containment policy the Truman doctrine of the United States was to “support free people who are resisting being conquered by armed minorities or by outside pressures”, which was said directly by President Truman. Truman had to convince congress that a crisis in two far away countries would threaten the security of the United States, and that four hundred million dollars was needed to save...

Words: 980 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

America's Containment Policy During The Cold War

...“The Truman Doctrine” says, “More than 1,000 villages had been burned, 85% of children were tubercular” (Truman). Europe was in bad shape during the Cold War. Ayers, et al. defines the Cold War as an era of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union conflicting mainly communism( Ayers, et al. 8--) President Truman led the United States during the beginning of the Cold War. President Eisenhower took office after Truman which left President Kennedy as the last president to lead during the Cold War. These leaders created many policies and uses of aid during their time in office to stop the spread of communism. While all of the U.S. Cold War Presidents dealt with the containment of communism, Truman emphasized giving economic aid, Eisenhower emphasized more military use, and Kennedy emphasized the idea of Flexible Response. All three presidents main goal was the containment of communism. American Anthem Reconstruction to the President says the containment policy was implemented to stop the spreading of communism. This policy was created by George F. Kennan in the late...

Words: 816 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

How Far Do You Agree with the View That the Origins of the Cold War Owed Much Too Ideological Differences and Little to Personalities and Conflicting National Interest?

...The outbreak of the Cold war could be blamed on one of the three without a doubt. Ideologies differed heavily, and, Stalin, according to Truman, wanted to create a ‘sphere of influence’; ‘expanding Communism’. The traditional, or orthodox, view of the Cold War is that it started because of Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe after WWII. The orthodox view places blame for the Cold War firmly on the Soviets, and claims that the mutual buildup of arms, the espionage, and all the other stuff was just the West responding to the Soviets enlarging their area of influence and exercising influence on the governments behind the Iron Curtain. However, Stalin stated precisely that his desire was to create security for the Soviet Union, based on previous invasions from the West, especially from Germany, who crippled the country twice. It was merely a case of USA versus the Soviet Union, and Britain playing more of a supporting role for the US. The ideologies in conflict were Communism versus Capitalism/democracy, again between the two huge superpowers. Nonetheless, it could also be argued that personalities had been the prime cause. Before Truman became president and Attlee Prime Minister, Churchill and Roosevelt were in post. They were considerably easy with Stalin, and were willing to make ‘arrangements’ to meet his needs. And by many this was considered dangerous for Western countries as the threat of communism was potential. Thus, Truman became president and was much tougher in his approach...

Words: 1436 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

How Far Do You Agree with the View That Stalin’s Foreign Policy Was a Major Contributing Factor to the Emergence of the Cold War in the Period 1945-50?

...1945 to 1950 the Cold War developed between the Superpowers of the United States and the Soviet Union. The end of the Second World War had resulted in a power vacuum over war-torn Europe and left a legacy of mistrust and suspicion between the two superpowers. The Yalta and Potsdam conferences proved this as they failed to agree on certain issues and as the leaders of the United Kingdom and United States changed in between the two conferences. The relationship and trust between the leaders that once stood close during the war had broken down. During this period Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union and President Truman of the United States had conflicted with each other nations in a series of events in Europe such as the Czechoslovakian Crisis and the Berlin Blockade The leader of Czechoslovakia was defenestrated and communists ruled the country. The Czech crisis showed that Stalin's expansion through Eastern Europe brought increasing fear across Europe. There was little America or the west could do to stop the Coup without bloodshed or escalation. The Czech crisis seems to suggest that it was totally Stalin's fault in terms of starting the war as he expanded across Europe he came ever closer to America and tension was boiling point. It wasn't just Stalin's policies that are considered to have had a role to play in the formation of the Cold War. It was also Truman's policies that were also to blame as he aimed to 'roll back' communism. Truman gave his "Truman Doctrine" speech...

Words: 539 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Cold War Ideology

...Cold War Ideology and Policies Robert Quesada Axia College University of Phoenix HIS/212 July 11, 2010 After World War II, the two new super powers were the United States and the Soviet Union, both becoming mortal enemies. This power was not so equal though, as the United States had a booming economy and much of the Soviet Union lay in ruins. It was evident that the United States and the Soviet Union were in a struggle for power, which became known as the Cold War. The United States held control of the oil fields in the Middle East, along with the French and British, making a strong presence in the Middle East. With all this tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union the cold war was in full escalation. Stalin’s announcement that the Soviet Union would take all measure to preserve its national security and that a war was inevitable. He also announced a five year plan for economic development. The Americans took this as a threat and said his speech was a warlike pronouncement. President Truman stated “he was tired of babying the Soviets”. It was determined that the Soviets were a threat to not only the United States, but many European countries. This prompted a plan to apply diplomatic, economic, military counter pressure and blocking rising aggression. After a sever winter in Europe and the post war depression, Great Britain decided it could no longer support Greece and Turkey. Without this aid these two countries could fall victim to the Soviets. President...

Words: 528 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Atomic Shield vs Iron Curtain

...Atomic Shield Vs. The Iron Curtain Post-World War II attitude transitioned from relief to immediate paranoia and suspicion. World War II was responsible for roughly 55 million deaths. The most devastating war in modern history led to a great shift in power around the world. Many questions regarding the future of Europe arose. The Cold War was caused by a clash between capitalist and communist ideologies that ultimately led to the United States winning the Cold War. The Cold War was a post-World War II stalemate between the world’s two reigning superpowers, the Soviet Union and the United States. The world now saw opposition between the United States’ capitalist visions verses the Soviet Union’s communist visions. Various roots contributed to the start of the Cold War. Even before the end of World War II, suspicions of the Soviets were present. In October 1917, a revolution in Russia led by Lenin Bolshevik and the communists alarmed many Americans. The Communists had seized power and often used violence to achieve their goals. With a Marxist view, they rejected religion and the idea of private property. It was obvious that the Soviet Union wanted to spread communism throughout the world. After World War II, there loomed a danger of appeasement, because of the familiar events that occurred with Hitler and Germany. Hitler made demands that allowed the Nazis to expand further, and many believed that the Soviet Union was more fixed on...

Words: 1316 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Use the Sources Below and Your Own Knowledge to Explain How Far You Would Agree with the Statement That the Cold War Developed in the Years 1945 to 1953 Primarily Due to the Role of Individual Leaders?

...statement that the cold war developed in the years 1945 to 1953 primarily due to the role of individual leaders? The term ‘Cold War’ refers to the period of struggle and conflict between the USA and USSR between 1945-1991. Each of the Superpowers saw the other as a threat to its continued survival and adopted strategies to preserve their positions. The two Superpowers never went to war directly with each other in this period, but became involved in conflicts such as the Korean War where each side stood behind the other nations involved. This statement suggests that the ever-increasing hostility between the USA and USSR during this time period was due to actions from Truman and Stalin respectively. I agree with this statement to a certain extent, however, there are certain flaws with this statement, in that it was not wholly the fault of the two leaders as individuals but more due to certain events and the manor of poor cooperation with which the dealt with them. Two factors in favor of this statement are the beliefs and attitudes of Stalin and Truman. Stalin’s fear of the USA led him to believe that the USSR needed a barrier of territory between Soviet territory and the USA’s allies in Western Europe. Stalin feared another anti-communist invasion of Russia from Europe as had occurred in 1918 and 1941. Stalin wanted to create a barrier against the West, a barrier made up of communist run countries in Eastern Europe. The new president of the USA, Truman, saw Soviet domination...

Words: 1558 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Cold War Super Power

...greatest superpower following World War II. Finally getting back on their feet after the great depression, the United States economy was unmatched by any other nation. The only country able to compete with the United States in any way was the Soviet Union. During World War II both of these super powers fought alongside each other as allies. As the war came to an end so did their civil relationship. The Cold War was a prominent time of tension between the nations following World War II. The war was centered around the issue of communism. This period began in 1945 and lasted nearly 45 years. Over the course of this time period many U.S. presidents came in and out of the White House. Each had their own...

Words: 1724 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Cold War and U

...The Cold War and U.S. Diplomacy: The Truman Doctrine Mark Newsome Strayer University Politics 300 Dr. Sussie Okoro 16 March 2014 The Cold War and U.S. Diplomacy: The Truman Doctrine Harry S. Truman was President of the United States from 1945-1953. President Truman presidency was marked throughout by important foreign policy initiatives. Central to almost everything Truman undertook in his foreign policy was the desire to prevent the expansion of influence of the Soviet Union. At the end of World War II it was immediately apparent that Russia was trying to draw as many countries as it could into its influence, if not total control. The United States became extremely alarmed as country after country did indeed fall under Russia’s communist influences. At the time, the United States Government was under suspicion that Russia was supporting the Greek Communist was effort and worried that if Communists won in the Greek civil war, the Soviets would eventually influence Greek policy (state.gov, p1). In light of the appearance of Soviet meddling in Greek and Turkish affairs, and the withdrawal of British assistance to Greece provided the motivation for the Truman Administration to reorient American foreign policy. The Truman Doctrine was the name given to a policy announced by then United States President Harry Truman on March 12th 1947. The Truman Doctrine was a very simple warning clearly made to the Soviet Union, though the country was not mentioned by name. The United...

Words: 1214 - Pages: 5