What policy aimed to prevent the spread of communism through economic and military support to threatened countries?

The Truman Doctrine was a pivotal foreign policy established in 1947 that sought to prevent the spread of communism, particularly in Europe and beyond. It specifically outlined the United States' commitment to providing political, military, and economic assistance to countries that were threatened by communism or authoritarian regimes. This policy arose in response to growing tensions during the early years of the Cold War, especially in Greece and Turkey, where the U.S. perceived communist influence as a direct threat to democratic governments.

By proclaiming that the United States would support free peoples resisting attempted subjugation, the Truman Doctrine set the stage for a broader strategy of containment, aiming to stop any further expansion of Soviet influence. Through this doctrine, the U.S. also laid the groundwork for subsequent programs, such as the Marshall Plan, which focused on economic support to rebuild war-torn European nations. The fundamental aspect of the Truman Doctrine is its role as a commitment to actively combat the spread of communism through direct assistance, shaping U.S. foreign policy for decades to come.