History glossary
Marshall Plan
the American programme of economic aid used to rebuild Western Europe after the Second World War and strengthen it against communist influence.
- Category
- Economic aid programme
- Region
- Western Europe
- Date range
- 1948-1952
What it means
The Marshall Plan, officially the European Recovery Program, sent large-scale American aid to Western Europe from 1948. It helped rebuild economies, restore trade, and reduce the political instability that US leaders feared could open the door to communist parties and Soviet influence.
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