Analyze the effect of massive aid given to Western Europe under the Marshall Plan to rebuild itself after the war, and the importance of a rebuilt Europe to U.S. Economy.

Question

anonymous · Answer

The short answer is that the Marshall Plan quickly built up a strong Western Europe to help stand against the Soviets, bringing European industry and markets back to their feet. 

The Soviets were offered a piece of the Marshall Plan, but Stalin didn't go for it believing that it would tie the USSR to the West. He already had his own plans for Eastern Europe, most of which revolved around plundering whatever technical and manufacturing strength it had for the good of the USSR as well as buffering the Soviets against the West.