Communist Containment Policy
Storm Brewing
Although the United States and the Soviet Union were allies throughout WWII, the two nations became rivals following the conclusion of the war. The Soviet Union resented the U. S.’s hesitation in entering the war, which led to millions of Russian deaths. The government systems of the two nations were fiercely different and tensions had been rising for many years. The bloodthirsty Soviet desire to expand across Europe fueled American fear and distrust. Americans worried that the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin would try to take over the world.
The Soviet Union
Just as Hitler led Germany by feeding on the fear of the people desperate to survive the world’s great depression, Joseph Stalin preyed on the fallen European nations that had been weakened by the war. The Soviet Union’s goal was to spread communism. Communism is a political and economic system in which the government owns and controls the country’s businesses and property. For example, if you had two cows, the government would take a portion of your milk to share with the rest of the country’s citizens. You would only get to keep the amount you actually needed.
The United States
The goal of the United States was to stop the spread of communism. Therefore, their policy was known as the “containment policy.” This policy was coined by American diplomat George Kennan who suggested a “long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies.” The United States and many other European nations wanted to encourage the establishment of democratic governments throughout the world. Democratic governments are based on personal freedoms for citizens and a free enterprise economic system.
Containment Goals
1. Restore the balance of power in Europe 2. Minimize Soviet power 3. Change the Soviet Union’s approach to foreign affairs
Examples of Containment
In March 1947, U. S. President Harry Truman asked Congress to send immediate relief to Greece and Turkey by way of the Truman Doctrine. Two years of military and economic support allowed the Soviet threat to pass. That same year, U. S. Secretary of State George Marshall announced the European Recovery Plan. To avoid embittering the Soviet Union, he announced this plan under the premise of addressing the ruined crop fields and infrastructure that had been destroyed during WWII. Congress approved over $17 billion to be spent in Europe. The Marshall Plan was a wild success. Just four years later, European industries were booming and were much less vulnerable to the threat of communism than they were immediately following the war.
What is a Cold War?
A cold war is a term used to label a war that involves hostility between two countries, filled with threats, propaganda, and other techniques, but does not ever result in actual open warfare or bloodshed. This type of war is fought politically, economically, and through arms races. An arms race is a competition for creating and having the most weapons. The enmity between the United States and the Soviet Union after WWII is referred to as the Cold War. The Cold War lasted from 1945 until 1989.

After reading this answer these questions...
KEY IDEAS & DETAILS
1. What changed between the Allies, specifically the United States and Russia, after the end
of World War II? Cite evidence from the text. RI.1

2. Explain the connection that is made between Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin in this article.
RI.3

3. Explain the motives or goals of the United States during the Cold War. RI.3

4. In one sentence, summarize the main idea of the actions that President Truman took
towards containment. RI.3

5. Summarize the main idea of the Marshall Plan in one sentence. RI.2

CRAFT & STRUCTURE
6. According to the text, what is a cold war? RI.4

7. How is the passage organized? (Chronological, cause/effect, comparison/contrast,
description, problem/solution). Use evidence from the text to explain your answer. RI.5

INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE & IDEAS

8. What is the author’s message about the importance of the communist containment policy?
Use evidence from the text to support your reasoning. RI.8