What was the main purpose of the Marshall Plan after World War II?

The main purpose of the Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Program, was to aid the economic recovery of European nations after the devastation of World War II. Implemented in 1948, the plan provided extensive financial assistance to help rebuild war-torn economies, restore infrastructure, and revitalize industries. This initiative not only aimed to alleviate the humanitarian crises resulting from the war but also sought to prevent the spread of communism by stabilizing these countries economically and politically. By nurturing economic growth and fostering trade relations, the United States hoped to create a prosperous and cooperative Europe that could resist Soviet influence.

The other choices reflect different priorities and strategies that were not the primary focus of the Marshall Plan. Establishing military bases was not a central goal of this program, nor was it aimed specifically at promoting American investments in Asia or expanding U.S. territory. Instead, the emphasis was squarely on European recovery, which underscores the plan’s historical significance in shaping post-war Europe and U.S.-European relations.