If Western Europe were to fall to Soviet Russia, it would double the Soviet supply of coal and triple the Soviet supply of steel.  If the free countries of Asia and Africa should fall to Soviet Russia, we would lose the sources of many of our most vital raw materials, including uranium, which is the basis of our atomic power.  And Soviet command of the manpower of the free nations of Europe and Asia would confront us with military forces which we could never hope to equal.

In such a situation, the Soviet Union could impose its demands on the world, without resort to conflict, simply through the preponderance of its economic and military power.  The Soviet Union does not have to attack the United States to secure domination of the world.  It can achieve its ends by isolating us and swallowing up all our allies.  Therefore, even if we were craven enough I do not believe we could be—­but, I say, even if we were craven enough to abandon our ideals, it would be disastrous for us to withdraw from the community of free nations.

We are the most powerful single member of this community, and we have a special responsibility.  We must take the leadership in meeting the challenge to freedom and in helping to protect the rights of independent nations.

This country has a practical, realistic program of action for meeting this challenge.

First, we shall have to extend economic assistance, where it can be effective.  The best way to stop subversion by the Kremlin is to strike at the roots of social injustice and economic disorder.  People who have jobs, homes, and hopes for the future will defend themselves against the underground agents of the Kremlin.  Our programs of economic aid have done much to turn back Communism,

In Europe the Marshall plan has had an electrifying result.  As European recovery progressed, the strikes led by the Kremlin’s agents in Italy and France failed.  All over Western Europe the Communist Party took worse and worse beatings at the polls.

The countries which have received Marshall plan aid have been able, through hard work, to expand their productive strength-in many cases, to levels higher than ever before in their history.  Without this strength they would be completely incapable of defending themselves today.  They are now ready to use this strength in helping to build a strong combined defense against aggression.

We shall need to continue some economic aid to European countries.  This aid should now be specifically related to the building of their defenses.

In other parts of the world our economic assistance will need to be more broadly directed toward economic development.  In the Near East, in Africa, in Asia, we must do what we can to help people who are striving to advance from misery, poverty, and hunger.  We must also continue to help the economic growth of our good neighbors in this hemisphere.  These actions will bring greater strength for the free world.  They will give many people a real stake in the future and reason to defend their freedom.  They will mean increased production of goods they need and materials we need.