In 1947 the British announced that they are no longer able to support the pro western governments of the mediterranean in their fight against communism. If the United States could not take up the burden the whole region was in danger of falling under communist rule.The Truman administration respond decisively. March 12th 1947, the president went before a joint session of congress to request aid for the countries of Greece and Turkey. The address sent a clear message to the soviet union. The president's appeal was quickly known as the Truman doctrine it represented a dramatic change in us foreign policy merely led the groundwork for what followed a month later when secretary of state George C. Marshall traveled to europe he witnessed first hand the physical damage, social disintegration and economic collapse left by the war. …show more content…
Two months later marshall proposed a program of massive economic assistance the marshall plan. European’s reaction to Marshall’s speech was quick and positive the British foreign secretary Ernest Bevin called it “ a lifeline to sinking men.” Of all the nations invited to help draft the plan only the soviet union and its satellites refused The price would be high up to seventeen billion dollars but compared to the alternative Marshall told congress it was a bargain. While congress debated the enormous financial commitment communist inspired riots led to the overthrow of the democratically elected government in Czechoslovakia the events made the opinion on capital hill when congress approved funding for the marshall plan. American aid was soon on its way to europe food was distributed machinery and technical supports spurred new production homes and business were