The Truman Doctrin

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y. Throughout Russia's
history, they have been in search of a port - a quest advanced further
by Peter the Great and Catherine the Great. The Soviets in that
respect were direct threats to their non-Communist neighbors: Greece,
Turkey, and Iran.

In Iran, the U.S.S.R. was not evacuating Iran's northern
provinces despite entreaties from the United States. In Turkey, the
Soviet Union coveted several naval bases along the Straits of
Dardanelles. Further, they pressured Turkey for border cessions that
Turkey had taken from Russia after World War I. In Greece, the Soviets
encouraged the insurgent leader Markos Vafiades with arms and economic
support. The British troops helping the Grecian government were
strangled of supplies due to poor economic times in Britain. Also,
further territorial requisitions to Yugoslavia, Albania, and Bulgaria
were being made.

Seeing the deteriorating U.S. - Soviet relations, Truman
issued two statements about "agreements, violations, reparations, and
Soviet actions threatening U.S. security." "1. The Middle East is of
strategic importance to the U.S.S.R.(from which they are in range of
an air attack.) 2. The U.S. must be prepared to wage atomic and
biological warfare." (Ferrel 247) Soon after, he sent bombers to the
Middle East. He desired the return of all arms given to U.S.S.R. under
the Lend-Lease Act.

There isn't a doubt in my mind that Russia intends an invasion
of Turkey and seizure of the Black Sea straits to the Mediterranean.
Unless Russia is faced with an iron fist and strong language another
war is in the making, How many divisions have you? Truman had his eye
on the Soviets and on war. However, The U.S.S.R. never made such
invasions and thus quelled Truman's paranoia. The Truman Doctrine was
starting to develop during 1947 when Truman issued several statements.

1. The present Russian ambassador . . . persona non grata . . . does
not belong in Washington.

2. Ur...