The Marshall Plan

• Date


  June 1947
• Aim


  To provide money to Europe to fight Communism.
• Truman's beliefs about the spread of Communism

  Communism spread in countries of poverty.
• What would the USA do to contain Communism?

  The USA would use its wealth to help struggling European countries.
• How would the Marshall Plan strengthen the economic relationship between the US and Europe in the postwar period?

  It would encourage trade between the USA and other European countries.
• When was the plan announced and who by?

  American Secretary of State, General George Marshall, in June 1947.
• How much money did the US government provide between 1948-1952 to how many countries?

  $12.7 billion to 16 European countries
• What was the money provided by the US government used for?

  Repairing war damage and building up industry.
• What other forms of aid did the US government provide?

  Machinery, food and technological assistance.
• What happened to funds offered to Soviet satellite states?

  They were prevented from reaching them by Stalin.
• What did countries do in return for the money offered?

  They agreed to buy American goods and allow American companies to invest capital in their industries.
• What happened as a result of the Marshall Plan in 1952?

  Western Europe were prospering and the spread of Communism in Europe had been halted.
• How did the British foreign secretary, Ernest Bevin, describe the Marshall Plan?

  'A lifeline to sinking men, giving it hope where there was none'.
• How did Truman view the Marshall Plan?

  A defensive measure to contain Communism.
• How did Stalin view Marshall Aid?

  As an economic attack on communism and forbade the countries of Eastern Europe from receiving it.
• How did Stalin respond to the Marshall Plan?

  He created Comecon, which involved Eastern European countries working together to share resources.
• Members of COMECON


  Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania (East Germany and Albania in 1950)
• Political implications of COMECON

  COMECON minimised America's influence in East Europe
• Economic implications of COMECON


  Ensured benefits of economic recovery within East Europe stayed within their own borders. Also meant that the benefits of Marshall Plan did not reach East Europe.