The Truman Doctrine was introduced on 12 March 1947, marking the start of American Containment Policy. It provided economic and military aid to Greece and Turkey, which were in a state of devastation after World War II, and in fear that these weakened countries may succumb to communist pressure or turn to communism as it offered a solution to their problems, the Truman Doctrine was introduced to offer help. It is important in causing the Cold War as it set the framework and foundation for the subsequent American policies as part of the containment policy to contain Soviet expansionism. However, other factors stemming from American intentions prior to the Truman Doctrine, Truman's hesitance in directly confronting the Soviets and the Marshall Plan's success are also important in causing the Cold War. Overall, this essay seeks to argue that the Truman Doctrine is not important in causing the Cold War as it was only a mere declaration of American intentions which were present before 1947, and there were other factors which limited the Truman Doctrine, hence eliciting no response from the Soviets. .
The Truman Doctrine was arguably an important cause of the Cold War as it provided the framework for later American policies as part of the containment policy to contain Soviet expansionism. American intervention was called for when countries faced Soviet pressure, hence setting the direction for subsequent policies such as the Marshall Plan which was passed by the Congress in March 1948. The latter cemented the economic divide in Europe, and the Soviets responded with the Molotov Plan. However, though undeniable that this economic divide was due to the new direction in American policy articulated first in the Truman Doctrine, the decision made by the Congress to pass the Marshall Plan was still largely due to the increased Soviet threat as seen from the Czechoslovakian Coup in February 1948.
