U.S. Foreign Doctrine: Attitudes, Goals, and Stances - Essay Sample

Introduction

A doctrine is made up of principles that the United States applies to various situations, regions, and countries. More specifically, a doctrine consists of attitudes, goals, and stances of the United States foreign affairs that dictate how the U.S. interacts with other countries. Usually, the Doctrine of the United States changes with the president who is in power and the current issues at the time. However, each Doctrine is typically tailored to cater to the interests of the United States at any given time. One such Doctrine is the Truman doctrine that was meant to contain the spread of Communism in Europe and Asia. This paper discusses Truman Doctrine by analyzing the situations requiring its application, how it was enacted, the effects of this Doctrine on the United States, and other countries as well as exploring its advantages and disadvantages.

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Summary of Situation Requiring U.S. Diplomatic Efforts

Following the end of the Second World War, the United States was involved in the Cold War with the Soviet Union. One of the reasons that fueled tension between the two countries is ideological differences between the United States and the Soviet Union. The United States upheld capitalism as its leading economic system, which differed significantly from the Soviet Union's Communism. Furthermore, the United States was feeling threatened by Russia's effort to spread Communism to other European and Asian countries. As a result, President Harry Truman thought that the United States was obliged to cater to its interest by intervening to empower the countries that were under the threat of Communism, such as Greek. These were active steps to contain the spread of Communism. Additionally, England had been providing military and economic assistance to countries such as Greek and Turkey with the intent of combating the spread of Communism. However, the two World Wars had weakened its economy such that it could no longer continue offering this aid. The withdrawal of England's assistance would be a massive blow to countries like Greek, which was engaged in the Greek Civil War at the time. As such, the United States and, more specifically, Truman's administration felt obliged to fill the void being left by Britain and continue assisting the countries that were previously aided by Britain (United States Department of State, n.d).

The Diplomatic Doctrine Used by Harry Truman

On March 12, 1947, Harry Truman made public his diplomatic Doctrine that was geared towards containing the spread of Communism. Through this Doctrine, the United States was to provide financial support, equipment, and military support to countries that were facing the threat of Communism. In defending his Doctrine, Truman argued that the United States had an obligation to support free people. They were resisting suppression by outside powers or local armed minorities (History News Network, n.d). Truman doctrine marked a shift in United State's foreign policy. Previously, the United States had undertaken a reserved stance towards external conflicts by avoiding direct involvement. However, Truman's Doctrine marked the beginning of the United States intervention in outside conflicts. Since then, Truman's predecessors have undertaken similar foreign policies.

In fulfilling the pledge of offering aid to Turkey and Greece, Harry Truman lobbied Congress to provide 400 million dollars to Greek and Turkey governments (History News Network, n.d). Also, Truman urged Congress to support the dispatch of military aid and equipment to the two countries. These efforts were in the best interest of the United States as Truman argued that spread to Communism was a threat to United States national security and benefits (United States Department of State, n.d).

Effects of Truman Doctrine to the United States and Other Countries

The Truman Doctrine had a significant impact on the United States and other countries. In the U.S, the Truman Doctrine altered American foreign policy from that of isolationism towards that of containment. Since then, utilization of containment has proven helpful to the United States, especially in curbing external threats such as terrorism. Also, Truman Doctrine catered for the interest of the United States, especially in preventing the spread of Communism. Furthermore, Truman's Doctrine laid the basis for the formation of a partnership with other countries hence strengthening the United States' ability to fight Communism. For instance, Truman Doctrine led to the creation of organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization that catered for the interests of the United States.

Truman Doctrine also affected other countries. It provided support to the aid that anti-communist forces required to win the fight against Communism. For instance, economic and military assistance enabled Greek and Turkey to resist Communism. However, Truman Doctrine affected the Soviet Union negatively by hindering its expansion in Europe and the Middle East. To expand, the Soviet Union would offer resources or assistance to a minority group in a specific country to spread communism ideologies. However, this tactic was no longer useful once the United States began providing financial and military assistance that was needed to curb efforts by the groups being sponsored by the Soviet Union. For instance, both Turkey and Greece were able to counter rebellion from communist wings within their countries upon receiving assistance from the United States (Khan Academy, n.d).

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Truman Doctrine

Truman Doctrine had its advantage and disadvantages. On the bright side, the Doctrine protected weaker European and Middle East countries from the threat of Communism by offering military and economic aid. This aid significantly contributed to these countries' efforts to remain independent of Communism and the influence of the Soviet Union. Also, Truman Doctrine established the foundation of a solid foreign policy that has been effective in addressing many threats that the United States has faced, such as terrorism. However, Truman Doctrine also had its cons. For instance, it increased tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. Such tensions were undesirable at a time that European countries and the United States were struggling to rebuild themselves following the severe economic losses that were sustained during the Second World War. Besides, it put an extra economic burden on the United States as the country pledged to help other countries (Harry S. Truman Library Museum, n.d).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Truman Doctrine was intended to curb the spread of Communism. It articulated the United States' commitment to offering military and economic aid to weaker countries, mainly Greece and Turkey, to resist Communism. Truman Doctrine helped curb the spread of Communism hence serving the interest of the United States. It also led to the introduction of a new foreign policy that is geared towards the containment of threats facing the United States. However, the Doctrine also placed a substantial economic burden on the United States as it's obliged to fulfill its pledge of helping other countries. In addition, the Doctrine increased tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.

References

Khan Academy. (n.d). Start of the Cold War-The The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan. Retrieved May 10, 2020, from https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/postwarera/postwar-era/a/start-of-the-cold-war-part-2

Harry S. Truman Library Museum. (n.d). The Marshall Plan, pros and cons. Retrieved May 10, 2020, from https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/education/lesson-plans/marshall-plan-pros-and-cons

History News Network. (n.d). Retrieved May 10, 2020, from https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/377

United States Department of State. (n.d). The Truman Doctrine, 1947. Retrieved May 10, 2020, from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/truman-doctrine