Problem? Europe's poor, can't buy US stuff + Communism seems tempting in poverty.
Solution? US says, "We got you!" and proposes to spend BIG on Europe.
Fun Fact: Between 1945-1947, US already gave $11 billion to Europe. Marshall Plan? An even cooler $17 billion. ๐ค
Extra Fun: All European countries, even USSR, could get a slice of this pie.
But... was everyone happy in the US? ๐
Nope! US Congress was like ๐คจ.
Issues
It's a LOT of money, even more than the Truman Doctrine. Time for Americans to tighten their belts!
US getting too nosy in European affairs? Some thought so.
Game Changer: Communist coup in Czechoslovakia. US sees it as a red flag (pun intended) and thinks: If they don't act, Europe might go all red (communist, that is). So, Congress says yes on 3 April 1948.
But hey, there's some fine print: To get the aid, some countries had to make certain... changes. Italy and France? Had to cool down their communist vibes first.
So, why did the US splash the cash? ๐
Gaddis asks: Selfish reasons? Kind hearts? Scared of the red (communists)?
Interesting Tidbit: Marshall aid money? Mostly spent in the US. Ka-ching for the American economy.
Gaddis' Verdict: Fear of USSR growing too big, and hey, let's spread democracy while we're at it!
Unlock the Full Content!
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History HL
Chapter 21 - Truman (Cold War 1945- 81)
The Marshall Plan Europe's Recovery & Cold War Tensions
Problem? Europe's poor, can't buy US stuff + Communism seems tempting in poverty.
Solution? US says, "We got you!" and proposes to spend BIG on Europe.
Fun Fact: Between 1945-1947, US already gave $11 billion to Europe. Marshall Plan? An even cooler $17 billion. ๐ค
Extra Fun: All European countries, even USSR, could get a slice of this pie.
But... was everyone happy in the US? ๐
Nope! US Congress was like ๐คจ.
Issues
It's a LOT of money, even more than the Truman Doctrine. Time for Americans to tighten their belts!
US getting too nosy in European affairs? Some thought so.
Game Changer: Communist coup in Czechoslovakia. US sees it as a red flag (pun intended) and thinks: If they don't act, Europe might go all red (communist, that is). So, Congress says yes on 3 April 1948.
But hey, there's some fine print: To get the aid, some countries had to make certain... changes. Italy and France? Had to cool down their communist vibes first.
So, why did the US splash the cash? ๐
Gaddis asks: Selfish reasons? Kind hearts? Scared of the red (communists)?
Interesting Tidbit: Marshall aid money? Mostly spent in the US. Ka-ching for the American economy.
Gaddis' Verdict: Fear of USSR growing too big, and hey, let's spread democracy while we're at it!
Unlock the Full Content!
Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of History HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 ๐