INR 2001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Berlin Blockade, Marshall Plan, Truman Doctrine

• School: University of Florida
• Department: International Relations
• Course: INR 2001
• Professor: Selden Zachary

Document Summary

Realist (believes conflict was inevitable) v. liberal standpoint (how countries are shaped, and domestic politics could"ve contributed to conflict: also has a strong ideological component- contrasting worldview, different interpretations- Standard historical view: sees origins of cold war in expansionist soviet. Revisionist view: sees origins of cold war driven by us over-reaction to. Basic theory that drove us foreign policy during cold war. George kennan-expert on soviet union, first brought forth idea that they are opportunistic. Saw the ussr as totalitarian, but would eventually collapse from the weight of its own ideology". Containment was a way to avoid war and wair until the ussr fell apart from its own economic inconsistencies. Kennan was a huge influence on truman and direction of us policy. Truman doctrine: counter communist insurgencies in europe. Marshall plan: aid in reconstruction and redevelopment of europe. What are the humanitarian, economic, and strategic reasons for the. Marshall plan leads to first big confrontation: berlin blockade.