1. Marshall Plan 1947

2. America’s Response To Greece • Britain decided to withdraw troops end aid in Greece • This left it up to Americans to restore democracy in Greece. • Congress gave support of Truman in giving $400 million to Greece and Turkey.

3. THE MARSHALL PLAN 1947(Marshall Aid) • What Was it? • An American response to the poverty and hardship in post war Europe • Who was Marshall? • An American General and American Secretary of State, sent to assess the economic state of Europe

4. The Marshall Plan • The Marshall Plan was a program announced by General George Marshall in June of 1947 • It was a program of aid to war-torn Europe to re-equip its factories and revive agriculture and trade • This aid took the form of money, equipment, food, and technical assistance

5. It was thought that these were the conditions in which communism thrived WHY? Economies in ruins Shortages of goods Bread still rationed Coal shortages Details

6. What a nice gesture by the Americans. • Yes BUT….. • The aid came in the form of goods made by American firms • So there was an element of American self-interest to prevent another depression in USA

7. Europe’s Reaction • European leaders confronted with economic hardships and no resources were in no position to say no • They quickly accepted.

8. And Stalin • He hated Marshall Aid!! • Forbade Eastern European countries from having anything to do with it • Regarded as anti-Communist • Feared that it might weaken his hold on Eastern Bloc • And Eastern countries would swing to the US dollar.

10. USSR v. US • Truman saw the Marshall Plan as one of America’s greatest contributions to world peace • The Soviets saw it as aiming to unite countries against Communism • Russia’s reply: • Create the Cominform: an attempt to consolidate control over the Soviet satellites and bring conformity to Eastern bloc

11. The Marshall Plan in Action • In April 1948, the US Congress allocated $5.3 billion to implement the Marshall Plan. • By the time the plan had come to an end in 1951, over $13 billion had been spent and this money had enabled European countries to develop their economies and improve their standards of living

14. Two sides to every story… • One Side: • “The most unselfish act by any great power in history” –Winston Churchill on the Marshall Plan • Another Side: • It also protected American interests • Enabled the US to dominate Europe economically • Often it was given in the form of goods which allowed the US to control its use better than giving dollars