Harry S. Truman, March 12, 1947 Address to Joint Session of Congress

March 12, 1947 Address to Joint Session of Congress: On the Politics of Poverty: "The seeds of totalitarian regimes are nurtured by misery and want. They spread and grow..."

In his 1947 address before the Joint Session of Congress, President Truman expounded what became known as the Truman Doctrine, arguing for financial assistance for Greece and Turkey in order to bolster these nations against communist influence.