The Marshall Plan, 1947 - Causes and effects table in GCSE History

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Created by: Grace Leitch
Created on: 25-01-18 21:17

The Marshall Plan, 1947

Causes

Truman believed that communism generally won support in countries who were facing economic problems, unemployment and poverty. Many European countries suffered as a result of World War Two and were struggling to deal with the damage caused.
If the USA could help these countries where in need, turning to communism would not seem necessary.

Effects

By 1953, the USA had provided $17 billion of aid to rebuild economies and raise standards of living.
Europe became more firmly divided between the East and the West. Stalin prevented some Eastern European countries, such as Czechoslovakia and Poland, from receiving aid.
Stalin accused the USA of using the plan for their own benefit - to dominate Europe and boost the US economy.
Soviets responded with Comecon.

Overall summary

The Marshall Plan also played a role in upholding the policy of containment and also worsened relations between the superpowers even further.

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