The
Marshall Plan was the large-scale American program to aid
Europe where the
United States gave monetary support to help rebuild European economies after the end of
World War II in order to prevent the spread of Soviet
communism.
The plan was in operation for four years beginning in April 1948. The goals of the United States were to rebuild a war-devastated region, remove
trade barriers, modernize industry, and make Europe prosperous again. The initiative was named after
Secretary of State George Marshall. The plan had bipartisan support in Washington, where the
Republicans controlled Congress and the
Democrats controlled the White House. The Plan was largely the creation of
State Department officials, especially
William L. Clayton and
George F. Kennan. Marshall spoke of urgent need to help the European recovery in his address at
Harvard University in June 1947.