Title: Marshall Plan Definition
Headings: Marshall Plan
Marshall Plan
What Was the Marshall Plan?
Key Takeaways
Understanding the Marshall Plan
History of the Marshall Plan
Examples of the Marshall Plan
Marshall Plan FAQs
How Did the Marshall Plan Generate Economic Growth?
Was the Marshall Plan Successful?
How Did the Marshall Plan Impact the World Bank?
What Was the Molotov Plan?
What Did the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan Have in Common?
Article Sources

Content: Key Takeaways
The Marshall Plan was a U.S.-sponsored program implemented following the end of World War II, granting $13 billion in foreign aid to European countries that had been devastated physically and economically by World War II. U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall, who laid out the Marshall Plan, believed that the stability of European governments depended on the economic stability of the people. By the time the Marshall Plan ended, in 1951, all the countries who received aid saw their economies grow to better than prewar levels. The Soviet Union believed that the Marshall Plan was a way to meddle in the internal affairs of European countries; this belief prevented Soviet satellite countries from accepting assistance from the United States. Understanding the Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan gave more than $13 billion in aid to European nations—including its World War II enemies, Germany and Italy—and was crucial in revitalizing their post-war economies. By the time U.S. funding ended, in 1951, the economies of all the European recipients had surpassed prewar levels. For this reason, the Marshall Plan was considered a success. Marshall believed that the stability of European governments depended on the economic stability of the people. Europe needed to rebuild transportation hubs, roads, agriculture, factories, and cities that suffered major losses during the long war.