In
1947 The United States responded to what appeared to be a clear
Soviet attempt to spread communism into Eastern Europe. It declared
the Truman Doctrine aimed at stopping the spread of communism further.
"I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures. I believe that we must assist free peoples to work out their own destinies in their own way.
I believe that our help should be primarily through economic and financial aid which is essential to economic stability and orderly political processes."
This speech also included a request that Congress agree to give military and economic aid in the amount of $400,000 to Greece to assist that country in its fight against communism. He also announced that he would be sending American military and economic advisers to countries whose political stability was threatened by communism. See
the complete text of Truman's
speech to Congress and the Soviet Response at the United Nations.
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