LAD #36

President Harry Truman

In the Truman Doctrine, President Truman promised to provide military and economic aid to any nation threatened by communism. Specifically, he looked for the US to provide aid for both Greece and Turkey, citing these nations due to their proximity to the Soviet Union. He acknowledged that the situation in Greece was not great, but it was the country's right to freedom. He discussed the amount it cost to help these nations was a fraction of a percent of what it cost to win World War II, so it was a reasonable request, especially since it would aid in providing freedom.

Secretary of State George Marshall, a leader in the implementation of the Marshall Plan and the man who it was named for.

The Truman Doctrine is similar to the Marshall Plan. Like the Doctrine, the Marshall Plan was designed to combat communism and aid European nations post-World War II. In both instances, the US provided money to European nations to help rebuild and prevent communism.