The Marshall plan (1947-52) Flashcards
What did Clayton, Under-secretary of state for Economic affairs, conclude from the fact-finding tour of western Europe in May 1947?
A failure to revive the economy of European states would damage the USA economically as a loss of market for American goods would lead to consequent unemployment in the US.
What did George Kennan’s PPS (policy planning staff) state on issues in Western Europe?
It didn’t regard Communist activities as the basic problem instead that the real issue was the profound impact of the second world war on the economic, political and social structure of Europe.
What did the PPS think the US would focus their efforts on?
The restoration of Europe’s economic strength rather that combating communism
What did George Marshall unveil on 5 June 1947?
The European recovery program (ERP) or Marshall Plan
What was the ‘x article’?
it appeared in the July 1947 issue of foreign affaires magazine.
Stated that “Us policy towards the Soviet Union must be of a long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies.”
Is now considered to be the most significant public explanation of America’s emerging policy of containment.
Kennan however felt that he was misunderstood in it.
What was Marshall Aid?
A loan package intended to kickstart the economies of Europe.
What was a condition of receiving the Aid?
the recipient had to spend a proportion of it on American goods, allow American companies access to its markets and allow an international body to access economic information.
What did the USA hope to achieve through Marshall Aid?
To lesson the appeal of Communism in Western Europe and promote European unity. a stable European bloc would reinforce Truman’s idea of containment
How many members were in the French Communist party by 1947?
1.7 million
What did Churchill call the Marshall Plan?
“the most unselfish act in History”
What happened at the July 1947 Paris Peace Conference?
The Soviet Union walked out and by September had established Cominform.
From April 1948- December 1952 what was the impact of the Marshall plan in Europe?
The US provided $13.5 billion to 18 countries in Europe, they even offered it to the Soviets-not just through monetary aid but with providing food, fuel and machinery.
the UK was the largest recipient (26%)
France got 18%
W.Germany got 11%
What did Russia think about the whole thing?
Saw the Marshall plan as a clear example of American economic imperialism-coined Dollar imperialism by Molotov, Soviet foreign minister
Thought American influence would undermine their sphere of influence and security and so forbade any counties within the Eastern bloc from accepting American aid.
A greater tightening of Soviet control over Eastern Europe was necessary.
Did the Marshall plan succeed?
While it did provide great aid to the countries it gave aid to and help to strengthen some relations it also didn’t undermine the Soviet sphere of influence or help to push the Eastern bloc countries towards democracy.
it also helped to increase the divisions within Europe and further undermined the possibility of international relations being based on some degree if cooperation and consensus between the two superpowers
