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End of WWII
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Creating the United Nations
In 1944, delegates from 39 countries met at the Dumbarton Oaks estate to discuss the creation of the United Nations. They would also have a security council of 11 members, with Britain, France, China, the Soviet Union, and the United States being permanent. These 5 members would have veto power. On April 25, 1945, representatives from 50 countries went to San Francisco to officially organize the United Nations and design its charter. -
The Yalta Conference
Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met at Yalta, a Soviet resort, to plan the postwar world. A key issue discussed was Poland. After Germans invaded Poland in 1939, its government fled to Britain. The Soviets drove back the Germans and liberated Poland in 1944 and encouraged Polish Communists to create a new government. After, two governments claimed the right to govern Poland. Eventually, both governments were recognized and combined. Free elections would then be held as soon as possible. -
Truman Doctrine
After defending Turkey and the Middle East, Truman went before Congress to ask for $400 million to fight Communist aggression in Greece and Turkey since Britain told Truman it could no longer afford to protect Greece due its weakened postwar economy. Truman's speech then outlined a policy that became known as the Truman Doctrine. Its goal was to aid those who worked to resist being controlled by others. In the long run, it pledged the United States to fight the spread of communism worldwide. -
Marshall Plan
In June, George C. Marshall proposed the European Recovery Program, or Marshall Plan, which gave European nations American aid to help rebuild their economies. Truman saw the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine as essential for containment. Marshall offered to help all nations planning a recovery program. The Marshall Plan pumped billions of dollars in supplies, machinery, and food into Western Europe. The region's recovery weakened the appeal of communism and opened new markets for trade. -
The Creation of NATO
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The Warsaw Pact
In response to the creation of NATO, Soviet leaders organized their own military alliance in Eastern Europe known as the Warsaw Pact.
