What was the main purpose of the Marshall Plan?

The primary purpose of the Marshall Plan was to provide financial aid to European countries to help them recover from the devastation caused by World War II. Officially known as the European Recovery Program, it was initiated in 1948 and aimed to rebuild war-torn regions, remove trade barriers, modernize industry, and improve European prosperity. By injecting about $13 billion (equivalent to over $100 billion today) into European economies over several years, the plan sought to create a stable environment conducive to democratic institutions and prevent the spread of communism in Western Europe.

As countries rebuilt their economies with the assistance of the Marshall Plan, it also fostered stronger economic ties between the United States and Europe, contributing significantly to the long-term recovery and growth of the European nations involved. This strategy not only helped restore European economies but also solidified U.S. influence in the region during the early stages of the Cold War.