After World War II ended in an Ally victory, many European countries lay in ruin due to the repeated bombings they had to endure. Natural obstacles such as sever draughts and harsh winters also helped crush the European economy- millions of people were starving and industry ground to a halt. Bombed bridges, railroads, and sea ports hindered any possible trading, and the United States came to fear that as defenseless as it was, Europe might be the next target for communism.
General George C. Marshall was the man who stepped in and pulled Europe from its glimpse of destruction. While accepting an honorary degree from Harvard, Marshall addressed the graduates and guests and began to speak about Europe's poor condition and his determination to have America help. He admitted that the initiative would have to come from Europe, but encouraged all Americans to support them in their dark days. Europe's reaction was immediate- twenty-two days later, the Foreign Ministers from Britain, France, and the Soviet Union met to discuss Europe's future. Not surprisingly, the Soviet Union rejected the Marshall Plan because they did not want a free flow of East-West trade. This helped many Americans to get over their doubt concerning the Plan since many both feared and detested communism.
In 1947, sixteen European countries met with George Kennan to form a proposal acceptable to all parties. In September, the nations agreed to a proposal of seventeen billion dollars in aid over a period of four years, and it a draft was sent to the US Congress for approval. At first it seemed doubtful that Congress would sign on since many of them were isolationists and others believed that America had helped Europe enough during the War. In 1948, though, President Truman signed the European Cooperation Act. By the time it was completed in 1951, over thirteen billion dollars had been distributed to sixteen European countries, and the European economy was saved.
