Truman Doctrine

“Since 1940, this industrious and peace loving country has suffered invasion, four years of cruel enemy occupation, and bitter internal strife.”

This description of Greece exemplifies Truman’s use of emotive language to endear his policy to America. The juxtaposition of an “industrious and peace loving people” with “cruel enemy occupation” and “bitter internal strife” reinforces Truman’s portrayal of Greece as an unjustly suffering nation that the US is morally obligated to assist.

“As a result of these tragic conditions, a militant minority, exploiting human want and misery, was able to create political chaos which, until now, has made economic recovery impossible.”

This excerpt is the first example of how Truman portrays the spread of communism and the role of economic aid in foreign policy, key themes in his speech. He establishes the basis of communism in “want and misery,” which gives militant minority factions the opportunity to act. From here the use of economic aid in containment is claimed to eliminate the circumstances in which communism can gain a foothold, the aim of the Truman Doctrine.

“There is no other country to which democratic Greece can turn.

No other nation is willing and able to provide the necessary support for a democratic Greek government.”

Truman introduces The Necessity of American World Leadership in this section. He seeks to preempt criticisms of the Truman Doctrine that question why it is America’s role to support worldwide democracies by using emotive language to endear the Greek government’s cause to the listeners and then demonstrating that America’s assistance is the only possible recourse. He further implies a criticism of nations “able,” but not “willing” to support the democratic Greek government, almost certainly a reference to the USSR.

“No government is perfect. One of the chief virtues of a democracy, however, is that its defects are always visible and under democratic processes can be pointed out and corrected. The Government of Greece is not perfect.”

Here, Truman mentions flaws in the Greek government. By this, he means the authoritarian trends it often exhibited, such as its political suppression of leftist activists. However, he dismisses this as a reason to avoid providing aid to Greece, justifying such aid on the basis that Greece is nevertheless a democracy. It is revealing of his depiction of a polarization in the morality of governmental forms; a democracy, even if flawed, is more virtuous than any non-democratic government.

“Since the war Turkey has sought financial assistance from Great Britain and the United States for the purpose of effecting that modernization necessary for the maintenance of its national integrity.

That integrity is essential to the preservation of order in the Middle East.”

In this excerpt, Truman references the Domino Theory, holding to the view that changes in government can lead to knock-on effects within their region. He notes specifically that Turkish “modernization” is important to maintain the stability of the entire region.

“I am fully aware of the broad implications involved if the United States extends assistance to Greece and Turkey, and I shall discuss these implications with you at this time.”

Truman presents the US as a nation whose concern for global democracy is central to its foreign policy. He is aiming to support his argument that America must provide aid by creating an image of the American character (ethos) as fundamentally related to supporting democracy.

“One of the primary objectives of the foreign policy of the United States is the creation of conditions in which we and other nations will be able to work out a way of life free from coercion.”

Truman presents the US as a nation whose concern for global democracy is central to its foreign policy. He is aiming to support his argument that America must provide aid by creating an image of the American character (ethos) as fundamentally related to supporting democracy.

“To ensure the peaceful development of nations, free from coercion, the United States has taken a leading part in establishing the United Nations, The United Nations is designed to make possible lasting freedom and independence for all its members. We shall not realize our objectives, however, unless we are willing to help free peoples to maintain their free institutions and their national integrity against aggressive movements that seek to impose upon them totalitarian regimes.”

This quote is thematically important to Truman’s focus on the Necessity of American Leadership. He highlights America’s role in the foundation of the UN, which has the goal of protecting nations from coercion. From this basis, he is able to support calls for US action by showing that it would be enacting the principles of the UN.

“The Government of the United States has made frequent protests against coercion and intimidation, in violation of the Yalta agreement, in Poland, Rumania, and Bulgaria.”

This excerpt is the only reference to the USSR in the speech and even here Truman is indirect. Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria had recently had pro-Soviet governments installed, positioning them firmly within the Soviet sphere of control. Truman critiques Russian action, and notes that their action was against the agreements reached at the February 1945 Yalta Conference, yet he does not directly mention the USSR. This is likely an attempt not to present his Doctrine as one of exclusive opposition to the Soviets, who were recently wartime allies and toward whom Americans still felt positively.

“One way of life is based upon the will of the majority, and is distinguished by free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individual liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression.

The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio; fixed elections, and the suppression of personal freedoms.”

Truman’s opposed presentations of democracy and totalitarianism form an essential element in his aim to ground his policy proposals in morality. Through defining the key virtues of liberal democratic governments and showing that these appear only in their inverse within totalitarianism he strengthens the perceived need for US intervention to support democracy.

“I believe that our help should be primarily through economic and financial aid which is essential to economic stability and orderly political processes.”

Here, Truman defines the primary method of action he envisions for the US following his doctrine. It is an approach to foreign policy well-suited to both the US during his presidency and the geopolitical situation; the limited nature of commitment appeals to the remaining interventionists in the US and the lesser emphasis on military action ensures that the escalation of tensions is limited. This approach to foreign policy makes US global leadership more acceptable within the US and makes an outbreak of war with the USSR less likely.

“In helping free and independent nations to maintain their freedom, the United States will be giving effect to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”

Truman frames US action as “giving effect” to the wishes of the international community which are exemplified by the United Nations. Through this method he is ensuring that his policy is not viewed as an overextension of US power or the US perpetuating its own version of coercion on democratic states.

“Should we fail to aid Greece and Turkey in this fateful hour, the effect will be far reaching to the West as well as to the East.”

This quote presents The Spread of Communism as a Threat to Democracy. Truman stresses the importance of action by again referencing the Domino Theory. Here, the geography of Greece and Turkey is especially noted. Since these countries are situated on the boundaries between Europe and Asia, Truman emphasizes that a change to both governments would critically weaken the community of both regions.