apr 4, 1949 - NATO
Description:
The Marshall Plan, created by George C. Marshall, called for $12.5 billion in aid over four years in 16 European nations to rebuild Europe's shattered infrastructure with the hope it would cause an economic recovery in Europe. After initial trepidation, Congress (passed the bill in April 1948) agreed to open its wallet and fork over the money. By the early 1950's, most European countries were exceeding their pre-war output, and the communist parties in Italy and France began to lose power (which was the plan behind the plan). NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was initiated in 1948 with the UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg in an alliance for a united defense against Soviet Russia. The US became one of 12 charter members who signed the Treaty in Washington D.C. April 4, 1949. The essence of the agreement is that "an attack on any one of the members will be considered by the rest as an attack on all the members." In such a case, all members pledged to respond with armed force.
Added to timeline:
APUSH
Date:
