The United States emerged from World War II as one of the foremost economic,
political, and military powers in the world. Wartime production pulled the
economy out of depression and propelled it to great profits. In the interest of
avoiding another global war, for the first time the United States began to use
economic assistance as a strategic element of its foreign policy and offered
significant assistance to countries in Europe and Asia struggling to rebuild
their shattered economies.
British Premier Winston Churchill and President Harry Truman at the famous
"Iron Curtain" Speech
In contrast to American unwillingness to politically or militarily entangle
itself in the League of Nations, the United States became one of the first
members of the international organization designed to promote international
security, commerce, and law, the United Nations. The United States also took an
active interest in the fate of the colonies the European powers were having
difficulty maintaining. In addition to these challenges, the United States faced
increasing resistance from the Soviet Union which had rescinded on a number of
wartime promises. As the Soviets demonstrated a keen interest in dominating
Eastern Europe, the United States took the lead in forming a Western alliance to
counterbalance the communist superpower to contain the spread of communism. At
the same time, the United States restructured its military and intelligence
forces, both of which would have a significant influence in U.S. Cold War
policy.
British Premier Winston Churchill and President Harry Truman at the famous
"Iron Curtain" Speech
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