Proclaiming the Truman Doctrine : the Cold War call to arms / Denise M. Bostdorff.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bostdorff, Denise M., 1959-

Series:

Library of presidential rhetoric

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972--Political and social views.

Truman, Harry S.

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972--Oratory.

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972. Recommendation for assistance to Greece and Turkey.

Bush, George W. (George Walker), 1946-.

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972.

Speeches, addresses, etc., American--History and criticism.

Speeches, addresses, etc., American.

Political and social views.

Oratory.

United States--Foreign relations--1945-1953.

United States.

International relations.

Cold War.

United States--Military policy.

Military policy.

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972--Influence.

Bush, George W. (George Walker), 1946---Political and social views.

Bush, George W.

United States--Foreign relations--2001-2009.

Physical Description:

xii, 193 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm.

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

College Station : Texas A&M University Press, [2008]

Summary:

With these words, Harry S. Truman announced a profound shift in U.S. foreign policy toward the Soviet Union, from a position of strained alliance to one of containment. Many historians have traced the beginning of the Cold War to this decisive speech and its policy aftermath.

Now, Denise M. Bostdorff considers President Truman's March 12, 1947 address to a joint session of Congress in its rhetorical, political, personal, and historical context. She focuses on the public and private language that influenced administration perceptions about the precipitating events in Greece and Turkey and explores the news management campaign that set the stage for Truman's speech. Bostdorff even examines how the president's health may have influenced his policy decision and how it affected his delivery of the address and campaign for congressional approval.

After a rhetorical analysis of the Truman Doctrine speech, the book ends with Bostdorff's conclusions on its near- and long-term impact. She identifies themes announced by Truman that resound in U.S. foreign policy down to the present day, when George W. Bush has compared his policies in the war on terror to those of Truman, and members of his administration have compared Bush to Truman.

This important work is a major contribution to scholarship on the presidency, political science, and public rhetoric.

Contents:

Special Message to the Congress on Greece and Turkey: Wednesday, March 12, 1947, 1:00 p.m. 1

1 Prelude to Cold War Crisis 9

2 Turning Points, 1945-47 16

3 The Campaign Begins: Advance Work of Congressional Consultation and News Management 61

4 Opportunity through Threat: The Evolution and Crisis Promotion of the Truman Doctrine Speech 91

5 Reflections on the Truman Doctrine Speech 134.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [175]-186) and index.

ISBN:

9781603440325

1603440321

9781603440349

1603440348

OCLC:

173748311