Untitled Document

World War II left many European countries in a destructive and poverty-stricken state. Property damages left many homes destroyed and many businesses unable to function. Food and clean water were in short supply, which caused hunger and starvation in many European countries. The images below illustrate European countries after World War II ended.

To extend the policy of containment, a policy was created called the Economic Assistance Act of 1948. Created with the help of Secretary of State George Marshall, this act was a part of the United States' comprehensive program to help European countries rebuild after the war.

The Marshall Plan, as it was called, economically aided European countries and stimulated the U.S. economy.

Activity

Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required.

Read the following statements and determine if each statement describes the Truman Doctrine, The Marshall Plan, or both. When the statement appears, click on the correct location on the Venn diagram.

Sources for images used in this section, as they appear, from top to bottom:

An unidentified woman receives bread after waiting in a bread line in Agata, Sicily, United States Army Signal Corps, Truman Library
School children in Patras, Greece wait for their lunch to arrive at school, provided by the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, The Truman Library
Photo, Woman in European street, United States Army Signal Corps Truman Library
General George C. Marshall in his Pentagon office, 1943, America's Library, Library of Congress
Poster Promoting European Recovery Program (Marshall Plan) in English and German, American's Library, Library of Congress


Italian citizens receive food in one of the many breadlines sponsored by allied forces.	Children in a school in Greece wait for lunch from United Nations relief workers.	A woman is digging in a trash can looking for food.