[IrishEyez]

Hi I really need help,
I got this History Homework about the truman doctrine. It has 2 sources on it one is the speech Truman gave to congress, in March 1947. And the other is a quote from a Russian Newspaper in March 1947.
The first question is asking me to read the first source and describe the events as if I was an American. And explain what you think the purpose of the Truman Doctrine and containment.

I know what to do with the second bit of the question, its just the first bit im stuck on. Where it says "describe the events" Im not sure what events its asking me to describe.

Any help would be appreciated!

Irish Eyez xXx

[Mr Field]

Sure - no problem. What I imagine you are asked to do is describe the events that lead to the Truman Doctrine. You need to explain how the US got involved to support the Greek government - to stop what the US thought would be the spread of Communism.

Basically:

• After WWI Greece appeared to be 'under threat' from Communism.
  
• Britain was unable to support Greece (as it had done in the past).
  
• In 1947 Greece was under attack from Communist rebels and asked the USA for help.
  
• Truman was concerned about the spread of Communism and was determined to take action.
  
• He offered arms, supplies and money to Greece.
  
• Communism in Greece was defeated by 1949 following the civil war.

If you look at http://en.wikipedia....Truman_Doctrine you'll find

Quote

The Truman Doctrine stated that the United States would support "free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures."

U.S. President Harry S. Truman made the proclamation in an address to Congress on March 12, 1947 amid the crisis of the Greek Civil War (1946-1949). The doctrine was specifically aimed at assisting governments resisting communism. Truman insisted that if Greece and Turkey did not receive the aid that they needed, they would inevitably fall to communism with the result being a domino effect of acceptance of communism throughout the region.

Truman signed the act into law on May 22, 1947 which granted $400 million in military and economic aid to Turkey and Greece.