The Marshall Plan

After World War II Western Europe was in a state of chaos. Refugees were living in designated camps with poor living conditions after escaping Nazi concentration camps. At this time many factories and warehouses were bombed and raided as many people literally had no possessions. The living conditions for these refugees got worse as the winter of 1946 caused water transportation to be cut off due to frozen rivers, leading to a fuel shortage. People in the United States looked for a way to help the refugees of these countries and in 1947. Secretary of State George Marshall, proposed a plan of action for the United States. Under the Marshall Plan, the United States provided aid to these Western European nations. The money would help these countries to rebuild their economy after the war. George Marshall when asked to describe the plan stated that the move was directed, "Not against any country or doctrine but against hunger,poverty, desperation, and chaos." Over the next four years after the plan was installed, sixteen countries received $13 billion in economic aid. The United States was satisfied with the loss of power the communist party was receiving and considered these European Countries to be flourishing.