In 1946, communist guerillas began a civil war against the government of Greece. The communist government of Yugoslavia gave substantial support to the guerillas, while the British provided the Greek regime with substantial support. The British, beset with financial difficulties, informed the United States that Britain could no longer help support the regime in Greece.
The Greeks officially requested American aid, and at 1:00 pm, March 12th, Truman went before Congress and requested support for Greece as well as Turkey. The president asked for a total of $400 million for both Greece and Turkey. The Senate approved his request, 67 to 23 and the House approved it 287 to 107.
|
