Cold War History: Truman's Intervention in Greece

Post-WWII Greece and the Rise of Communism

• After WWII, Greece appeared to be under threat from Communism, despite the royalist success in the 1946 elections.
• The Greek government was under attack from Communist rebels, and Britain was unable to provide financial support due to the cost of intervention.
• In 1947, Britain asked the USA for help, and the US provided a $400M loan, marking its first intervention in Europe since 1945.

The Truman Doctrine

• Truman was concerned about the spread of Communism and was determined to take action.
• He offered arms, supplies, and money to Greece, and by 1949, Communism in Greece was defeated following the Civil War.
• The Truman Doctrine aimed to contain Communism, but not to push it back, and offered support to all countries that declined Communism.

Marshall Aid

• Truman saw war-ravaged Europe as a "breeding ground" for Communism and believed it was vital to encourage countries to become prosperous again.
• The Marshall Aid plan was proposed by George Marshall to help European countries recover from the war.
• The aid also created a market for US exports and was seen as a way to prevent the spread of Communism.
• Stalin viewed Marshall Aid as "dollar imperialism" and refused to accept it, banning Eastern European countries under USSR control from participating.

Tension and Aid

• Between 1947-51, $12 billion was given in aid, providing vital help for recovery.
• However, Stalin's refusal to accept Marshall Aid and his ban on Eastern European countries created tension on both sides.