American Assistance Policy For Greece In The Early Days Of The Cold War (1947-1949)

America used assistance policy as a diplomatic strategy frequently after World War II, America controlled other countries through assistance policy, so that it could realize the propose of strategy of the seven seas. American policy for Greece was the beginning of conversion of American diplomatic policy, American success in intervening the Greek affairs provided a exemplification for America intervening other country's affairs. The research to this policy can make us understand strategy of the seven seas of America better, and will help us more clearly understand the originality of the Cold War.The Paper is going to regard American assistance policy for Greece(1947-1949) in the early Cold War as a research object that is based on selecting and analyzing the first hand data as well as the research achievements by the formers. A research will be systematically put up from the background of this policy of coming into being, the aim and form, the course and change of actualization, essences of this policy, influences and appraises.The paper includes four chapters with an additional introduction and conclusion.The research meaning is firstly introduced and then present research situation is reviewed. It puts forward some issues already solved by the researches as well as those unsolved. Lastly, the basic clue and outline of the paper is introduced in this part.Chapter One, the background of American assistance policy for Greece is going to be studied, namely origin of the Greek question and intervention of America. It is closely relevant to the development of international situation, the important geographical position of Greece, the contest of great powers for Greece and the situation of the Greek civil war. From the evening of World War II to the onset of postwar, Britain and Soviet Union both wanted to possessed it and subscribed the "percentage agreement" through negotiation finally, Greece brought into the sphere of influence of Britain However, the communist force was very strong in Greece, if there were no lots of economic and military aids, Greece would collapse. At this time, Britain was busy enough with its own affairs because of the wreck of war, so America got the baton of Britain, began intervene the Greek affairs, assisted and supported the Greek government.Chapter Two, the aim and form of American assistance policy for Greece will be studied. America began to search the pretense for supporting and helping Greece after intervening the Greek affairs, America thought Greece was the only country hadn't given in "the Soviet Union hegemony" in the Balkan. If Greece brought into the sphere of influence of Soviet Union, which could inflict irresistible pressure on Turkey, American national interests would be damaged badly. To be brief, it was necessary for America to supply Greece with economic and military assistance in order to communist expanding. On March 12,1947, Truman delivered state of the union message and declared America would assist Greece and Turkey. On May 12, the president of Truman subscribed assistance act for Greece and Turkey, American assistance policy for Greece came into being formally.Chapter Three, the research is focused the implement and change of American assistance policy for Greece. After the beginning of American assistance, the question would be solved firstly was enlarging the Greek army, the Greece government inquired enlarging Greek army, America satisfied partial requests of the Greece government and requested increasing morale and the ability of war of the Greek army. Even though, the Greek army also couldn't present fatal beat to the guerrilla, even might be beaten, America increased the assistance for Greece gradually and established the Joint U.S Military Advisory and Planning Group which provided advice of military actions for Greece, even considering dispatching American army to Greece. During this period, the Greek army got a few triumphs, America considered cutting assistance, but because of the development of situation, which continued assistance for Greece. With the help of America, Greek government acquired triumph in the civil war.Chapter Four, the influence and appraise of American assistance policy for Greece will be discussed. American assistance for Greece was an important event that happened in the onset of the Cold War, which was bound to have great influence on international situation and correlative countries. The success of American assistance policy for Greece was the change of American diplomatic policy in practice, which enhanced the American government's confidence for intervening world affairs and provided a exemplification for America intervening other country's affairs; American assistance for Greece prevent the breakdown of Greek economy and helped Greece acquire triumph in the civil war. But American assistance policy was also criticized, which was considered intervening weak country's affairs and neglected the Charter of the United Nations and its principle, the action of America deteriorated the relationship between America and Soviet and its satellite states, promoted the form of the Cold War and unhinged the prelude of the Cold War.