Essential Question: How did the spread of Communist ideals and power affect American policies during the Cold War? During the 1900’s, American’s witnessed the largest growth of Communist ideology in Europe, Asia, and finding a new way to seep itself into our government after the fall of totalitarianism in Europe. Americans had only just defeated the rule of totalitarianism in Japan, Germany, and others. The citizens of the United States were prepared to protect our home by employing new policies where capitalism could flourish and prevail, and even spread. The goals of the country were described primarily in the Truman doctrine and achieved with the help of many presidents, including Reagan for military strength. This victory was at the cost of human life. Americans came to the aid of other countries, but were facing a breach at home as well. Communism was a force to be reckoned with and even after the Cold War, our country didn’t manage to destroy the ideas from Karl Marx which some countries still follow today. This can be seen as a weakness of our military power, or the power of containment. The Truman Doctrine, created in 1947, gave Americans the foundation to a highly successful military which could power over others. The Truman Doctrine was employed financially and militarily in the aid of Greece and Turkey in protection from the threatening powers of Communism. This was the beginning of the Cuban Missile crisis because Russia began to feel threatened by the nuclear power that came with rebuilding these countries close to home. Americans had originally come to the aid of a small ally, but this policy was so successful, it was used in Korea and Vietnam. This doctrine was formed on the basis of the Domino Theory that a solid ideal with committed followers is sure to spread faster than the speed of light through other countries and across continents unless driven back to its original region. The Truman Doctrine had three main points: Containment, Deterrence, and…
