Marshall Plan (mar 12, 1947 – mar 12, 1947)

Description:

- US thinks they needs to keep people happy with democracy around the world
- Bad economy leads to extremism
- Infrastructure & economy in Europe are bad because of aftermath of WWII (people might disregard freedom to fix rubble)
- US gives $13 billion in aid to Western Europe to support economies
- Marshall Plan: plan to help rebuild Europe after WWII to ensure that war-torn countries didn't collapse or become Communist
- "Marshall" named for US secretary of State George Marshall
- US wants to fix Europe financially to stop altruistic ideology Communism (altruistic ideology is Communism, not Nazism, that's stamped out

So they make the Marshall Plan:
- If any country wants financial aid for post-WWII economy, they can have it
- Western countries all want it because they need money
- All countries eligible for this plan- if you want money, you can have it
- Eastern Bloc can't take the money because the USSR won't let them (the USSR knows it would show weakness in Soviet economy system)
- If Communist countries take the money, it shows Capitalist superiority
- Countries with the Marshall Plan aid & free trade with US have an economic miracle
- Marshall plan was not altruistic --> it was meant to stop Communism & give US allies
- Facism isn't gone from Europe --> Spain Facist until late 70s
- West Germany economy invigorated (rebuilt/renovated)

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