The First Cold Warrior : Harry Truman, Containment, and the Remaking of Liberal Internationalism

From the first days of his unexpected presidency in April 1945 through the landmark NSC 68 of 1950, Harry Truman was central to the formation of America's grand strategy during the Cold War and the subsequent remaking of U.S. foreign policy. Others are frequently associated with the terminology of and responses to the perceived global Communist threat after the Second World War: Walter Lippmann popularized the term "cold war," and George F. Kennan first used the word "containment" in a strategic sense. Although Kennan, Secretary of State Dean Acheson, and Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall have been seen as the most influential architects of American Cold War foreign policy, The First Cold Warrior draws on archives and other primary sources to demonstrate that Harry Truman was the key decision maker in the critical period between 1945 and 1950. In a significant reassessment of the thirty-third president and his political beliefs, Elizabeth Edwards Spalding contends that it was Truman himself who defined and articulated the theoretical underpinnings of containment. His practical leadership style was characterized by policies and institutions such as the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, NATO, the Berlin airlift, the Department of Defense, and the National Security Council. Part of Truman's unique approach -- shaped by his religious faith and dedication to anti-communism -- was to emphasize the importance of free peoples, democratic institutions, and sovereign nations. With these values, he fashioned a new liberal internationalism, distinct from both Woodrow Wilson's progressive internationalism and Franklin D. Roosevelt's liberal pragmatism, which still shapes our politics. Truman deserves greater credit for understanding the challenges of his time and for being America's first cold warrior. This reconsideration of Truman's overlooked statesmanship provides a model for interpreting the international crises facing the United States in this new era of ideological conflict.

From the first days of his unexpected presidency in April 1945 through the landmark NSC 68 of 1950, Harry Truman was central to the formation of America's grand strategy during the Cold War and the subsequent remaking of U.S. foreign policy. Others are frequently associated with the terminology of and responses to the perceived global Communist threat after the Second World War: Walter Lippmann popularized the term "cold war," and George F. Kennan first used the word "containment" in a strategic sense. Although Kennan, Secretary of State Dean Acheson, and Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall have been seen as the most influential architects of American Cold War foreign policy, The First Cold Warrior draws on archives and other primary sources to demonstrate that Harry Truman was the key decision maker in the critical period between 1945 and 1950. In a significant reassessment of the thirty-third president and his political beliefs, Elizabeth Edwards Spalding contends that it was Truman himself who defined and articulated the theoretical underpinnings of containment. His practical leadership style was characterized by policies and institutions such as the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, NATO, the Berlin airlift, the Department of Defense, and the National Security Council. Part of Truman's unique approach—shaped by his religious faith and dedication to anti-communism—was to emphasize the importance of free peoples, democratic institutions, and sovereign nations. With these values, he fashioned a new liberal internationalism, distinct from both Woodrow Wilson's progressive internationalism and Franklin D. Roosevelt's liberal pragmatism, which still shapes our politics. Truman deserves greater credit for understanding the challenges of his time and for being America's first cold warrior. This reconsideration of Truman's overlooked statesmanship provides a model for interpreting the international crises facing the United States in this new era of ideological conflict.

Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 1. "I'm tired babying the Soviets" The Beginnings of Truman's Internationalism......Page 20 2. "The two giant marauders, war and tyranny" Framing Containment......Page 48 3. "A growing feeling of certainty in the rightness of our step" The Truman Doctrine......Page 72 4. "A noble page in world annals" The Politics of the Marshall Plan......Page 92 5. "Bonds far greater than those of mere ideology" Kennan's Sources of Soviet Conduct......Page 114 6. "The great principles of human freedom and justice" The Beginning of the Atlantic Alliance......Page 140 7. "Peace with freedom and justice cannot be bought cheaply" The Purpose and Structure of National Security......Page 164 8. "To assure the integrity and vitality of our free society" The Culmination of Truman's Containment......Page 188 9. "We must put on the armor of God" History, Faith, and Peace in Truman's Thought......Page 210 Conclusion......Page 234 Notes......Page 244 Bibliography......Page 310 C......Page 322 E......Page 324 I......Page 325 K......Page 326 M......Page 327 O......Page 328 S......Page 329 T......Page 330 U......Page 332 W......Page 333 Z......Page 334 Truman Deserves Greater Credit For Understanding The Challenges Of His Time And For Being America's First Cold Warrior. This Reconsideration Of Truman's Overlooked Statesmanship Provides A Model For Interpreting The International Crises Facing The United States In This New Era Of Ideological Conflict.--jacket. I'm Tired Babying The Soviets : The Beginnings Of Truman's Internationalism -- The Two Giant Marauders, War And Tyranny : Framing Containment -- A Growing Feeling Of Certainty In The Rightness Of Our Step : The Truman Doctrine -- A Noble Page In World Annals : The Politics Of The Marshall Plan -- Bonds Far Greater Than Those Of Mere Ideology : Kennan's Sources Of Soviet Conduct -- The Great Principles Of Human Freedom And Justice : The Beginning Of The Atlantic Alliance -- Peace With Freedom And Justice Cannot Be Bought Cheaply : The Purpose And Structure Of National Security -- To Assure The Integrity And Vitality Of Our Free Society : The Culmination Of Truman's Containment -- We Must Put On The Armor Of God : History, Faith, And Peace In Truman's Thought. Elizabeth Edwards Spalding. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 299-309) And Index. From the moment he took the oath of office in April 1945, Harry Truman was required to make difficult decisions in an increasingly dangerous world. The results-notably the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-were the building blocks of containment, a strategic approach usually associated with George F. Kennan. In this fresh account, based on primary sources, Elizabeth Edwards Spalding argues that it was Truman himself, shaped by history, experience, and religious faith, who outlined and directed America's practice of containment. In so doing, he esta From the moment he took the oath of office in April 1945, Harry Truman was required to make difficult decisions in an increasingly dangerous world. The results -- notably the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization -- were the building blocks of containment, a strategic approach usually associated with George F. Kennan. In this fresh account, based on primary sources, Elizabeth Edwards Spalding argues that it was Truman himself, shaped by history, experience, and religious faith, who outlined and directed America's practice of containment. In so doing When Harry Truman became president in April 1945, liberal internationalism was little more than an intellectual concept and by no means a common expression.