At the present moment in world history nearly every nation
must choose between alternative ways of life. The choice is too
often not a free one. One way of life is based upon the will of
the majority ... The second way of life is based upon the will
of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority ... I believe
that it must be the policy of the United States to support free
peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed
minorities or other outside pressures ... The free peoples of
the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms.
If we falter in our leadership, we may
endanger the peace of the world–and we shall surely endanger the
welfare of our own Nation.
–President Harry S. Truman (excerpt from "The Truman Doctrine,"
1947) |
