LAD#36- Truman Doctrine

Truman Doctrine March 12, 1947

One aspect of the situation that President Truman is dealing with, involves Greece and Turkey. The government of Greece has asked the United States for economic assistance. This is assistance is extremely important for Greece to survive as a free nation. Greece does not have many natural resources so they have had to work extremely hard to make ends meet. In the years during and following WWII, Greece faced many invasions. Germany came in and destroyed roads and railways, and brought illness to both people and livestock. Even after the Germany take over, Greece is still threatened by Communists. Turkey is also in a difficult situation that requires aid from other nations. The United States must take a leading role in the formation of the United Nations due to its victorious position in WWII.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. President Truman felt that it was important to help out all nations during times of need, "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." If the United States does not help Greece and Turkey, it will not only effect those nations but the whole world.The free peoples of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms. "If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world -- and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation. Great responsibilities have been placed upon us by the swift movement of events."