How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)
Quote #1
The gravity of the situation which confronts the world today necessitates my appearance before a joint session of the Congress. The foreign policy and the national security of this country are involved. (1-2)
Wait, what do you mean "gravity of the situation? What about our national security? Are we in danger? How can we be in danger if we just won a major world war two years ago? Oh man, this is bad.
Quote #2
The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio; fixed elections, and the suppression of personal freedoms. (72-73)
This way of life sounds terrifying. Truman even says it's founded on terror. Totalitarianism as a form of government is really a scary thing—Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union are both defined as totalitarian states.
Quote #3
Should we fail to aid Greece and Turkey in this fateful hour, the effect will be far reaching to the West as well as to the East. (87)
This is a strong reference to the domino theory. And the "effect" Truman is describing—Soviet domination—is really quite scary.