The+Cold+War+JC

=__ Early Cold War Years __=

**Containing Communism**
Despite tension with the Soviet Union, many American Officials continued to believe cooperation with the Soviets was possible. Although both British and American Officials pushed for free elections in Eastern Europe, the Soviets did not budge. On February 22, 1946, George Kennan sent a 5,540-word message, which became known as the Long Telegram, explaining his views on Soviets. According to Kennan, the Soviet's views of the world came from "Russian sense of insecurity" and the fear of the west. Kennan then proposed " a long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies". In other words the US would keep the Soviets from expanding their power, the Soviet system would fall apart soon. It would be a way for communism to be beaten without going to war.

**[[image:truman_doctrine_speech.jpg align="right" caption="Harry S. Truman"]]Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan**
**Truman Doctrine** On March 12, 1947, Truman went before congress to ask for $400 million to fight Communist aggression in Greece and Turkey. His speech became known as the Truman Doctrine. Its goal was to " free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures" It's immediate goal was to stabilize the Greek government and to help Turkey resist Soviet demands. The Doctrine pledge the US would fight the spread of Communism worldwide. **Marshall Plan** In June 1947, George Marshall proposed the Marshall Plan, or the European Recovery Plan. The plan would give European nations American aid to rebuild their economies. Truman saw the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine as " two halves of the same walnut" both were essential for containment. Marshall offered help to all nations planning a recovery program. Marshall offered his Plan to the Soviet Union and it's satellite nations in Eastern Europe. The Soviets rejected and made their own economic program, which further separated Europe into competing regions.The Marshall plan gave billions of dollars in supplies, machinery, and food to Western Europe. Western Europe's recovery weakened the appeal for communism and it opened new markets for trade.