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Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine allowed Truman to ask Congress for $400 million in economic and military aid for Greece and Turkey. This policy was a hope to "support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures." The United States took action because Britain was supporting Greece and Turkey resistance to growing communist influence. However, Britain’s economy had weakened through the course of war, so the nation could no longer afford to give aid. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan proposed that the United States provide aid to all European nations that needed it. At the time, Secretary of State Marshall created this plan due to the chaos in western Europe. The weather was horrible, their factories were bombed and looted, and many people were living in refugee camps. -
NATO
The Western Countries were in fear of another war so they created the nation wide treaty called "NATO". This Alliances includes Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Iceland, etc. The U.S. was involved because they agreed if there is any aggression (specifically USSR aggression), they would protect each other. -
McCarthyism
McCarthyism started when Joe McCarthy proclaimed that there were Communist supporters within their own government. The U.S. didn't want communist influences in their government. McCarthy then set out to expose 205 people that he suspect were influencing government decisions with communist beliefs. -
The Korean War
North Korea thought that the U.S. would not fight back so they surprised attacked South Korea. However, The UN passed the law that allowed the U.S. to send over troops to back up South Korea (520,000 troops). North Korea is a communist country whereas South Korea is a Unitary State. Therefore, The United States decided to back up South Korea to prevent the Communist North from taking over Korea. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
American planes flew through Soviet missile bases in Cuba and found out some contained missiles ready to launch. The missile could hit the United States in any minutes. The nation was anxious of the missile attack so Khrushchev offered an American pledge to not invade Cuba if the Soviet got rid of the missile. The United States also agreed to remove missiles from Turkey. Kennedy dealt with the missile crisis guided by his goal to prove his determination to contain communism. -
U.S. Involvement in the Vietnam War
When France moved back to Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh vowed to fight to liberate the South from French control. The United States had already supported France but Johnson's determination to contain communism in Vietnam grew. He sent large numbers of American troops to fight alongside the South Vietnamese. The number of troops multiplied greatly as American soldiers were sent over to fight. -
The Invasion of Cambodia
Cambodia was one of the "safe zone" where the Vietnamese Communist forces could establish. At the time, President Nixon thought North Vietnam was transporting troops and supplies through Cambodia. To stop any farther action between North Vietnam's communist influence, Nixon ordered troops to invade Cambodia and demolish the bases that helped the North Vietnam. -
Soviet invades Afghanistan
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support the weak communist government. The Soviet sent troops into Afghanistan and assumed control of large portions of the city. After hearing the news, President Carter returned to containment and impose sanctions on the Soviet Union and devised numerous measures to compel them to withdraw. -
Destruction of the Berlin Wall
Many people were fleeing from the communist country into democratic. The Germans responded by building a wall which surrounds west Berlin The Berlin Wall isolated West Berlin from other surrounding countries. This restricted people from moving to democratic west Germany. After its destruction on November 9th, people were able maneuver across to any country of their preference.
