3. the USA's involvement in Europe Flashcards
what was the USA’s initial approach to Europe?
- based on the construction of a new democratic region -mutual cooperation
- regarded Europe as a ‘springboard’ for development of a global power
who was Dean Acheson
- one of the architects of the marshal plan
- former US secretary of State
what did Acheson comment about the situation in Europe after ww2?
-situation in Europe represented a threat to the stability of capitalism (railways+paper systems collapsed)
who reinforced Acheson’s views on the situation in Europe after ww2
- Clayton in May 1947
- after travelling to Europe he concluded that failure to help European economies would damage US economy
- focus on US aid should be on rebuilding Europe rather than combating communism
- he launched the marshall plan
what was the USA’s foreign policy towards Europe by 1947?
- focused on Ensuring economic recovery and the promotion of unity w/in Europe
- eventual stable bloc of pro-american states
what the the USA’s relationship with Britain immediately after ww2?
- ‘special relationship’ Britain was a driving force in preserving this relationship and politically stable
- Britain needed USA’s support but didn’t want to be dependent rather than mutual support
- US needed Britain to influence Europe
what predictions did clayton make when he returned from Europe
- predicting loss of markets on American goods
- unemployment in America
what did clayton exaggerate on his return from Europe?
- exaggerated the economic importance of Europe on USA
- however Europe was the only industrialised nation USA could trade with
- therefore only source of money from trade
what did the Marshall plan do?
-provided $13.5 billion to 16 countries in Europe through money and goods
what were the conditions of receiving Marshall aid?
- some had to be spent on goods from the US
- share economic info with the US
- reject communism
how did the marshall plan reduce communism?
- helped contain spread of communism as countries had to reject communism upon aid
- meant US economy grew as money was invested in US goods
- sharing of economic info allowed US to see economic flaws and deficits
Why was USA concerned about political strength in Europe?
- french communist party had 1.7 million members in 1947w/ encouragement from Moscow
- leading to soviet influence in Europe
- Marshall plan reduced this
How did soviets view the Marshall plan?
- Example of American economic imperialism
- believed US would undermine their sphere
What ex communist countries did the Marshall plan help?
- Czechoslovakia and Hungary
- restoring them to free market economies
When did Russia walk out of Paris peace conference
-July 1947
