Title: The Marshall Plan and the Cold War | Harry S. Truman
Headings: The Marshall Plan and the Cold War
The Marshall Plan and the Cold War
Background
Key Question
Directions
Materials
Documents to be examined:
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Content: These goals were: It would lead to the recovery of production abroad, which was essential both to a vigorous democracy and to a peace founded on democracy and freedom, and which, in the eyes of the United States, the Soviet Union had thus far prevented. It would support world trade, from which U.S. businessmen, farmers, and workers could benefit. Truman also stressed the humanitarian intent behind aiding Europe’s war-torn countries. The Marshall Plan was estimated to cost the United States approximately $22 billion, but it was later scaled down to cost $13 billion after the plan was put into action. Secretary of State George Marshall presented the plan at Harvard University in June 1947, and it was met with acceptance by military leaders and political advisors. Although the idea behind developing the Marshall Plan had good intentions of offering aid to people in postwar Europe, however, some people did not receive the Marshall Plan with the same perception as Harry S. Truman. Key Question
Did the Marshall Plan make the Cold War colder? Directions
Marshall Plan Lesson Procedures and Goals (opens in a new window)
Materials
Documents to be examined: Letter from Harry S. Truman to Eleanor Roosevelt, March 16, 1948
Letter from Eleanor Roosevelt to Harry S. Truman, February 27, 1947
“Can He Block It?”