Changes

==Events in Greece==

==Events in Greece==

Iatrides and Rizopoulos (2000) explain the three phases of the Greek civil war, beginning with the opposition that formed during the military dictatorship of General John Metaxas (1936-41) in the reign of King George II. The invasion by Italian and German forces in 1940-41 gave credence to the Greek Communist Party (KKE), which served as the backbone of the resistance in the northern mountainous region under the banner of the National Liberation Front (EAM) and the Control Committee of the National Liberation Army (ELAS). However, [[Stalin]]'s support for the KKE was never strong. The British, however,  supported the return of the king immediately after the liberation of Greece. By the end of the war, however, little opposition to ELAS remained other than the royalist resistance band the National Republican Greek League (EDES). The second phase of the conflict began immediately after liberation, as the Greek Communists, believing that they had the upper hand, sought support from Moscow and Belgrade. The Soviets, however, were not particularly interested in Greece and were willing to grant the British influential control. After Truman became president, accommodation with the Soviets was replaced with a hard-line, anti-Communist policy. Greece now became an international political battleground, as British supported a policy of containment and opposition to communists. In early 1947 the British were financially exhausted and asked Truman to take over their role.  

Iatrides and Rizopoulos (2000) explain the three phases of the Greek civil war, beginning with the opposition that formed during the military dictatorship of General John Metaxas (1936–41) in the reign of King George II. The invasion by Italian and German forces in 1940-41 gave credence to the Greek Communist Party (KKE), which served as the backbone of the resistance in the northern mountainous region under the banner of the National Liberation Front (EAM) and the Control Committee of the National Liberation Army (ELAS). However, [[Stalin]]'s support for the KKE was never strong. The British, however,  supported the return of the king immediately after the liberation of Greece. By the end of the war, however, little opposition to ELAS remained other than the royalist resistance band the National Republican Greek League (EDES). The second phase of the conflict began immediately after liberation, as the Greek Communists, believing that they had the upper hand, sought support from Moscow and Belgrade. The Soviets, however, were not particularly interested in Greece and were willing to grant the British influential control. After Truman became president, accommodation with the Soviets was replaced with a hard-line, anti-Communist policy. Greece now became an international political battleground, as British supported a policy of containment and opposition to communists. In early 1947 the British were financially exhausted and asked Truman to take over their role.  

The Communists were defeated. Besides the Truman Plan money factors that played a role include the poor leadership and tactics of the Greek Communist Party (KKE), the withdrawal of Yugoslav support for the leftists, the efforts of the Greek government, and public attitudes favorable to the U.S.  The termination of the civil war was a victory for the United States, vindicating its policy in Greece while marking a defeat for the Communists who in the end failed to achieve their goals.

The Communists were defeated. Besides the Truman Plan money factors that played a role include the poor leadership and tactics of the Greek Communist Party (KKE), the withdrawal of Yugoslav support for the leftists, the efforts of the Greek government, and public attitudes favorable to the U.S.  The termination of the civil war was a victory for the United States, vindicating its policy in Greece while marking a defeat for the Communists who in the end failed to achieve their goals.

* [http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/doctrine/large/doctrine.htm Truman Library website with papers related to the Truman Doctrine]

* [http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/doctrine/large/doctrine.htm Truman Library website with papers related to the Truman Doctrine]

* [http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/trudoc.htm Full text of the speech]

* [http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/trudoc.htm Full text of the speech]

[http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/trudoc.htm Text of Truman's Address to Congress]

* [http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/trudoc.htm Text of Truman's Address to Congress]

====references====

====References====

<references/>

<references/>