Truman Doctrine

A central theme of the Truman Doctrine speech is the question of how communism spreads among nations. Truman’s presentation of this issue is based on the already influential Domino Theory, but it is couched in a language of hope.

The Domino Theory originates from beliefs about the nature of communism that held sway within the US government during the Cold War. These beliefs were largely informed by George Kennan’s “Long Telegram,” an analysis of Soviet policy largely based upon a 1946 Stalin speech. Kennan viewed communism as a pseudoreligion that inspired its adherents to forcefully spread its message wherever vulnerable societies showed themselves to be open to radical change. Further, once communist governments had taken power, Kennan argued that communism was exceptionally hard to wholly eliminate.

Kennan’s telegram was well-received by the Truman government, his views becoming near-dogma in the State Department and accepted by Truman himself as the only explanation of Soviet action. Viewing communism through this lens, Truman’s foreign policy analysts saw a nation adopting communism as likely to motivate its further spread, as believers in neighboring nations could work with their new regional allies to spread discontent and resist the government, all as a part of their global mission to ensure communist dominance.