After World War II, U.S. President Harry S. Truman recognized the growing influence of communism. Its reach extended through Europe and even to Turkey and Greece through Soviet-back guerilla aggression. A war-weary America was unlikely to agree to troop involvement, but sending aid would allow impact without boots-on-the-ground. Truman asked Congress for $400 million in aid–military and economic–for these two countries. Within two years, both countries rejected communism and embraced Western influence.
A policy to contain communism was suggested by George Kennan, a diplomat in the State Department. It basically stated, “Send aid, not troops.” After all, much of Europe way devastated by the War and needed the tools to rebuild. That came, not from ideology, but through money, goods, and services.
In 1947, the European Recovery Program was announced by the Secretary of State, George Marshall. To avoid antagonizing the Soviets, it was touted as a humanitarian program. Aid only was sent to Western Europe and to nations in communist-controlled Eastern Europe. Truman requested $17 billion over four years to Great Britain, France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Congress approved the request, now called the Marshall Plan. The aid produced a post-War boom for Europe and the U.S. and suppressed communism.
Throughout the Cold War, communism never came close to overwhelming these countries again. Truman’s aid plan worked.
But the Cold War was just beginning. What was next?
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