The Marshall Plan provided extensive economic aid to Western Europe after World War II. Secretary of State George Marshall argued that the U.S. needed to offer aid to help stabilize countries left in ruins by the war. In 1947, Marshall proposed a plan to provide $13 billion in aid to 16 Western European countries. While Eastern European countries like the Soviet Union were invited, only Yugoslavia accepted the aid. The Marshall Plan succeeded in boosting industrial production in Western Europe by 41% within four years and stabilized economies. The U.S. benefited economically by selling more goods to European countries and maintaining strong international trade partnerships.

1. The Marshall Plan aided Western Europe.The Marshall Plan aided Western Europe.
– Greece and Turkey not the only countries whoGreece and Turkey not the only countries who
needed aid fromneeded aid from U.S.U.S.
• World War II left many countries in ruins.World War II left many countries in ruins.
• Secretary of State, George Marshall argued that theSecretary of State, George Marshall argued that the
U.S.U.S. needed to do something fast.needed to do something fast.

3. The Marshall Plan aided Western Europe.The Marshall Plan aided Western Europe.
• Marshall presented a plan to offer extensive economicMarshall presented a plan to offer extensive economic
aid to all nations of Europe in June 1947. (Speech)aid to all nations of Europe in June 1947. (Speech)
– 1616 W. EuropeanW. European countries received almost $13 Billion incountries received almost $13 Billion in
economic aid.economic aid.
– E. EuropeE. Europe including theincluding the U.S.S.R.U.S.S.R. invited to participate.invited to participate.
• Only Yugoslavia accepted.Only Yugoslavia accepted.

4. The Marshall Plan aided Western Europe.The Marshall Plan aided Western Europe.
• Marshall Plan proved to be a great success.Marshall Plan proved to be a great success.
– Within 4 years, countries receiving aid saw aWithin 4 years, countries receiving aid saw a
41% higher industrial production than on the41% higher industrial production than on the
eve of WWII.eve of WWII.
– Countries were stabilized and exports wereCountries were stabilized and exports were
rising rapidly.rising rapidly.

5. The Marshall Plan aided WesternThe Marshall Plan aided Western
Europe.Europe.
• U.S.U.S. benefited.benefited.
– U.S.U.S. govt. bought foods and goods from farmsgovt. bought foods and goods from farms
to be sent to Europe.to be sent to Europe.
• U.S.U.S. farms and factories raised production to recordfarms and factories raised production to record
levels.levels.
– U.S.U.S. economy continued its wartime boomeconomy continued its wartime boom
without faltering.without faltering.
– W. EuropeansW. Europeans became great consumers ofbecame great consumers of
AmericanAmerican exports.exports.

6. End of Notes Review GameEnd of Notes Review Game
• What was the name of the Secretary of State in 1945?What was the name of the Secretary of State in 1945?
• What was the reason that Marshall cited as the reasonWhat was the reason that Marshall cited as the reason
why all of Europe needed aid and not just Turkey andwhy all of Europe needed aid and not just Turkey and
Greece?Greece?
• How many countries received aid? How much total wasHow many countries received aid? How much total was
given out by thegiven out by the United StatesUnited States??
• What was the onlyWhat was the only Eastern EuropeanEastern European country to receivecountry to receive
aid?aid?
• Was the Marshall Plan successful? What statistics canWas the Marshall Plan successful? What statistics can
you cite?you cite?
• Why would you say that theWhy would you say that the United StatesUnited States benefitedbenefited
from giving out aid?from giving out aid?

7. • What is the message thatWhat is the message that
the artist is trying tothe artist is trying to
send?send?

8. WebsitesWebsites
• Speech by George C. Marshall at HarvardSpeech by George C. Marshall at Harvard
University, June 15, 1947 Speech by George C.University, June 15, 1947 Speech by George C.
Marshall at Harvard University, June 15, 1947Marshall at Harvard University, June 15, 1947