Truman - Foreign Policy 1945-53

Truman - Foreign Policy 1945-53

1. Truman and the Potsdam Conference, July 1945

   • 16th July 1945 - America successfully tested the world's first atomic bomb, Truman informed Stalin of this development
   • Agreements at Potsdam
     • To divide Germany and Berlin
       • to demilitarise Germany
         • to re-establish democracy in Germany including free elections, a free pass & freedom of speech
           • Germany had to pay reperations
             • to participate fully in the UN
   • Disagreements at Potsdam
     • What to do about Germany
       • about free elections - Truman wanted free elections in the countries of Eastern Europe occupied by Soviet troops

2. George Kenan's long telegram

   • crucial in encouraging a hostile relationship with the USSR
   • continuation of the Traditional Russian policy of hostility towards the outside world
   • Soviet Leaders felt threatened because the West was more advanced
   • The Soviet government was determined to expand and must be stopped
   • Developed the idea of CONTAINMENT - the USA should use all means possible to stop the expansion of the USSR

3. The Truman Doctrine