The Importance Of The Marshall Plan

In World War 2, two groups of powers--the Axis and Allies--relentlessly fought against each other for dominance, resulting in many countries left in ruins with limited supplies and support, until George Catlett Marshall, an American soldier and U.S. Army chief, proposed a plan to rebuild Europe’s economy. He stated that, “‘Our policy is not directed against any country, but against hunger, poverty, and chaos’”(Zarr 38). Constant fighting lead Europe in terrible ruins with an estimate of 60 million people dead, and especially, German cities in “An estimated 500 million cubic tons of rubble littered”(Zarr 37), creating no opportunity for Germany to rebuild itself or provide any safety and support for its citizens. This period of suffering was

Nevertheless, the Marshall Plan carried out as planned after sorting out personal affairs, and in total, $13 billion was donated to European countries in ruins. “⅓ for raw materials and manufactures; ⅓ for food, animal feed, and fertilizer; and ⅓ for machines, vehicles, and fuel. The American economy flourished”(Zarr 41), and so did the rest of the European countries. With the funds, Germany used a part of it to restore businesses and eventually grow it’s largest bank, Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau. France reduced its debt and restored the currency, while Italy was financially able to provide medical care to wipe out malaria in Sardinia. Over time, 150 ships were recorded to have traveled through Europe, unloading food, medical supplies and other necessities. The Marshall Plan was important to the European countries because the Americans were able to contribute to the sufferings and bring out the hunger and poverty, as George C. Marshall planned. As a result, the plan was successful in restoring the economy in ruined European countries that resulted from the disasters of World War