Following World War II, all of Europe was left in a clutter of disarray. Instead of watching Europe endure the hardships left from the war, the United States went to Europe’s aid. From 1947 to 1952, European nations experienced a time of massive growth. The Plan aimed to repair the economic and political damages from the war. The plan was a response to American concerns that communist parties were growing stronger across Europe and that the Soviets might intervene. The Marshall Plan also reflected the belief that US aid for European economic recovery would create strong democracies and open new markets for American goods. After World War II, The European Recovery Program was instrumental in economically and politically rebuilding European infrastructure. (Cayton) Prior to the making of the Marshall Plan, President Harry Truman requested permission to spend $400 million in Greece and Turkey.
…show more content…
At the time, Greece and Turkey were both in economic despair. The US figured this would happen, especially considering the war-debt the two countries were in. Not to mention the weak military both countries owned. He called this plan the Truman Doctrine. Truman focused on the military challenges of communism. The doctrine was to immensely affect the, slowly approaching, Cold War. Truman stirred up controversy when he announced that the doctrine was to become a basis for the US policy of containing communism around the world. (Associated 71) Throughout, Europe was suffering from various post war hardships due to the impact left from the Second World War. Europe’s economy was in desperate need of saving. The United States aided Europe by loaning $13 billion in reparations towards the war. Giving the current circumstances the Europeans were in, the Marshall Plan invigorated the reconstruction process and eradicated the poverty level. Citizens of Europe were living in shambles (See Fig 2). Politically, Americans knew spreading capitalistic ways in Europe would gain support from the Europeans, giving the United States trade partners. During the Cold War, Germany became the center of all the tensions between Capitalism and Communism. Germany was the ideal gateway between East and West Europe. Its location made it a suitable place for these political struggles to occur. This angered the Soviets because they too wanted to influence their ways on Europe. The Marshall Plan, following the Truman Doctrine-- which supplied $400 million to countries under totalitarian regimes (Turkey and Greece), appeared to be another anti-communist move made by the United States. However, the United States still successfully achieved the goal of making Europe economically stable. The idea of creating the Marshall Plan can be credited to General George C. Marshall Jr. of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Marshall served as the Secretary of State after his time at war. With the help of the American diplomat, George Kennan and President Harry Truman, Marshall was able to see through with creating his plan. In 1946, Kennan was ordered by Marshall to travel to Europe to observe the current living conditions. Kennan immediately reported back to Marshall, stating the grim realities of Europe, “Many survivors of the war were homeless, hungry, and unemployed. Inflation robbed the wages of those who were employed. Factories, railroads, bridges, electric power plants, and water systems were damaged beyond compare. Farmers suffered from drought. Also, the trade and the flow of capital needed to finance reconstruction were interrupted.” (Crf). Kennan then suggested that the US help rebuild “the economic health and vigor of European society” (Crf). He felt this was an efficient way to put an end to the spread of communism in Europe. On June 5, 1947, Marshall was scheduled to speak at Harvard University. He never planned on making world history, hence as to why he was merely there to accept an award for his honorary degree. However, Marshall pointed out the urgency for economic reimbursement for the damaged nations of Europe. “It is logical that the United States should do whatever it is able to do to assist in the return of normal economic health in the world, without which there can be no political stability and no assured peace,” (Marshall).
At the time, Greece and Turkey were both in economic despair. The US figured this would happen, especially considering the war-debt the two countries were in. Not to mention the weak military both countries owned. He called this plan the Truman Doctrine. Truman focused on the military challenges of communism. The doctrine was to immensely affect the, slowly approaching, Cold War. Truman stirred up controversy when he announced that the doctrine was to become a basis for the US policy of containing communism around the world. (Associated 71) Throughout, Europe was suffering from various post war hardships due to the impact left from the Second World War. Europe’s economy was in desperate need of saving. The United States aided Europe by loaning $13 billion in reparations towards the war. Giving the current circumstances the Europeans were in, the Marshall Plan invigorated the reconstruction process and eradicated the poverty level. Citizens of Europe were living in shambles (See Fig 2). Politically, Americans knew spreading capitalistic ways in Europe would gain support from the Europeans, giving the United States trade partners. During the Cold War, Germany became the center of all the tensions between Capitalism and Communism. Germany was the ideal gateway between East and West Europe. Its location made it a suitable place for these political struggles to occur. This angered the Soviets because they too wanted to influence their ways on Europe. The Marshall Plan, following the Truman Doctrine-- which supplied $400 million to countries under totalitarian regimes (Turkey and Greece), appeared to be another anti-communist move made by the United States. However, the United States still successfully achieved the goal of making Europe economically stable. The idea of creating the Marshall Plan can be credited to General George C. Marshall Jr. of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Marshall served as the Secretary of State after his time at war. With the help of the American diplomat, George Kennan and President Harry Truman, Marshall was able to see through with creating his plan. In 1946, Kennan was ordered by Marshall to travel to Europe to observe the current living conditions. Kennan immediately reported back to Marshall, stating the grim realities of Europe, “Many survivors of the war were homeless, hungry, and unemployed. Inflation robbed the wages of those who were employed. Factories, railroads, bridges, electric power plants, and water systems were damaged beyond compare. Farmers suffered from drought. Also, the trade and the flow of capital needed to finance reconstruction were interrupted.” (Crf). Kennan then suggested that the US help rebuild “the economic health and vigor of European society” (Crf). He felt this was an efficient way to put an end to the spread of communism in Europe. On June 5, 1947, Marshall was scheduled to speak at Harvard University. He never planned on making world history, hence as to why he was merely there to accept an award for his honorary degree. However, Marshall pointed out the urgency for economic reimbursement for the damaged nations of Europe. “It is logical that the United States should do whatever it is able to do to assist in the return of normal economic health in the world, without which there can be no political stability and no assured peace,” (Marshall).