George C. Marshall – newly appointed Secretary of State.

Background information: You are the primary advisor to the President in determining and carrying out U.S. foreign policy (how we interact with other nations). You served as the Chief of Staff of the Army during WWII and retired at its conclusion (after 45 years of service). The President greatly admires you, and you have his total confidence.

Mr. President,

I need not tell you that the world situation is very serious. That must be apparent to all intelligent people. I think one difficulty is that the problem is one of such enormous complexity that the very mass of facts presented to the public by press and radio make it exceedingly difficult for the man in the street to reach a clear appraisement of the situation. Furthermore, the people of the United States are distant from the troubled areas of the earth such as Eastern Europe and it is hard for them to comprehend the plight and consequent reactions of the long-suffering peoples, and the effect of those reactions on their governments in connection with our efforts to promote peace in the world.

Given all this, it is imperative that we, with France and Great Britain, take a firm and unwavering stand in the face of this latest example of Soviet aggression. We have labored for so long to contain this aggression through political and economic means – our plan to invest in Europe and so secure them from the false attractions of communism are working – surely we cannot back away at this critical juncture! The majority of Germany stands on the edge of stability…or chaos. We must not leave them to sway in the wind of Soviet blackmail, lest they be pushed in the wrong direction and become added to a long list of Eastern European countries hidden behind Iron Curtain.

We have seen appeasement before with Hitler’s Germany, and we have witnessed its complete failure. The idea that this is not our problem, that it is simply a European concern, is, as the Nazis so terribly demonstrated, without merit. Sir, I know you have not forgotten the horrible cost of hesitation on the part of the United States to fulfill her obligation to world peace. We must stay the course and finish what we have started. Soviet aggression must be met head-on, without hesitation. Strength of determination, strength of character, and strength of a free people given the opportunity to experience a free economy will prevail.

The Soviet Union must not be allowed to hold Berlin, and with it all of Germany, Europe, and eventually the world, hostage! A demonstration of the resolve and strength of the U.S., Great Britain, and France is demanded by these trying times. We have started Europe, and with her the world, down the path to recovery from dictatorial rule, territorial aggression, and repressive economic policies. With foresight, and willingness on the part of our people to face up to the vast responsibility which history has clearly placed upon our country, the difficulties I have outlined can and will be overcome. Though another war troubles me deeply, we must once again assemble the combined military might of the Allies. It is not without risk, but given the ultimate atomic trump card we hold, the Soviets are in no shape to stop us should we move across Germany to free the people of Berlin. Do we risk war? Yes! But better a final move today in Berlin than the endless bloodbath that could spill across the world if the Soviets, like Hitler, are appeased.

Sincerely,