Marshall Aid

• the USA gave Marshall Aid because they wanted to create new markets for American goods.
• Many in the US government wanted Aid to be given to states that embraced democracy and free markets
• the USA wanted an "Open Door" to these countries - no trade tariffs for US companies
• Stalin forbade communist countries to apply for Marshall Aid
• Stalin thought that the USA was trying to dominate countries by making them dependant on US dollars - weakening his hold on Eastern Europe