Cold War
...4. Presidential Cold War Philosophy
President Truman's philosophy was to come to the defense of those countries in danger of Soviet takeover, but the US would not start a war with the Soviet Union. He also made alliances with Europe through NATO, which was a contrast to the past because from the time of Washington's Farewell Address, Americans have strongly favored avoiding all foreign entanglements. He also was taken over by the paranoia created by the Red Scare because he ordered investigations of 3 million federal employees for "security risks."
5. Actions taken during presidency in regard to Cold War.
a. The Beginning of the Cold War- The end of World War II raised the issue of the shape of the
new world and what new political alliances would be formed. This would become the major
source of contention between the world's leading political-economic system, capitalism and
communism. The American economy was growing more dependent on exports, while American
industry needed to import metals. This required open trade and friendly relations with those
nations that provided metal. With many economies in shambles, competition for the few healthy
economies became fierce. Germany, Japan, and Great Britain, who had been the strongest before
war had either been defeated or their influence was greatly reduced. The United States and the
Soviet Union became the world's leading two powers, and they quickly became enemies.
b. The Truman Doctrine- After the Soviet Union had spread communism to Hungary
and Czechoslovakia, it threatened to take over Greece and Turkey. Truman was intent on
preventing this. The Truman Doctrine states that the US would support the free peoples who
were resisting the attempted subjugation of the Soviet Union. This was the cornerstone of a...
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