Harry Truman Won the Cold War

This act developed the department of defense which included the newly created AIR Force. This policy also created the Central Intelligence Agency. The motives for the act were to reshape American foreign policy based on the new enemy, the Soviet Union. Truman also had a hand and was in full support of the United Nations and N.A.T.O. Truman took much action and was involved in many Cold War policies; the ones that were successful and lasted into the rest of the Cold War were responsible for his current image of the one who won the cold war and a favorable president.

Viewing the cold war today and viewing Truman’s early contributions it is fair to say he was highly responsible for American victory although he was deceased at the time of its conclusion. Truman’s policies lived on way after him and although adapted upon they were still the basis for what led the U.S to victory. Staring with containment, this policy was used by every Cold War president on after Truman. The idea of stopping the domino effect was upheld and in the end the U.S did just that and Soviet Russia failed inside and collapsed. This policy can be ruled as the biggest success for Truman and directly includes him in the reasons for U.S victory in the cold war. The reason containment is the most significant Truman success is because it includes the Marshall plan and the Truman doctrine as well has the Berlin Air-Lift. The Marshall plan which was not only a huge success for the U.S and its fight against communism it became the savior for Europe.

This plan put Europe back on its feet economically and socially. This plan also highly contributed to the huge booming economy in American during the 1950’s and 60’s. The Marshall plan not only has American significance it has world significance. The Truman doctrine notably halted communism especially in Greece. U.S aid sent under the Truman doctrine helped the democratic anti communist side win the Greek civil war against the communists. The Truman doctrine also keep communism out of Turkey and although many saw it has a failure it led to the Korean war which in fact held communism back its just the cost was very high in lives.

The Truman doctrine definitely stopped any kind of domino effect in the Mediterranean and Korea which in theory could have led to Japan. Japans modern economic success and strength is very much attributed to Truman. Although there was no specific plan in which Truman acted under he still allowed the industrial growth of Japan that made it the strongest Asian economic power. Japans success was vital the U.S because it prevented it along with many other Asian countries under its influence to turn communist. . The Berlin aril if was a Truman success because he basically saved the city and ruined Stalin’s plans forcing him to reopen all connections into the city and put the U.S on top in the minds of the people in America and in Europe. This was a highly significant victory because by saving lives he showed America was the stronger and more favorable power to many. He also maintained U.S influence in Germany.

One can agree that Truman although he was dead did have an obvious impact on the out come of the Cold War. It can also be said he was way ahead of his time in many regards. To his defense he probably thought that his plan would work a lot sooner and was designed for more immediate results. This is why at the time he was considered a failure. Over time and looking back many aspects of his ideas make him look like a genius but it is doubted that he was thinking as far ahead as the plans he put forward lasted. His influence definitely led to U.S victory but in many regards he may have gotten lucky on how everything worked out because although his plans were designed to succeed they could have easily failed. In the end of the battle of powers the more defined and powerful nation won. If the U.S was in Russia economic and social state during the war with the same plans it is questionable weather they would have had the same outcome. Overall the way history presents itself it is safe to say Truman had a large hand in winning the Cold War.