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The Marshall Plan assistance is generally credited with helping to launch the European economic recovery. The Marshall Plan helped feed a destitute European population. It help European ecomomies recover. And in doing so the United States played a major role in preventing the spread of Communism beyond the Eastern European countries occupied by the Red Army. It is imprtant to note that not one European country chose Communism in a democratic election. Some authors down play the importance of the Marshall Plan, maintaining that the recovery was already well underway. [Hitchcock] It is undobtedly true that the reason for the European Economic Miracle following the War was the competence and determination of the European people. Europe not only had a well, educated hard working population, but there was a degree of state competence as well. Corruption was not a major problem as is the case in the Third World. Here the resiliancy and potential of capitalism should not be overstated. The Marshall Plan itself should not, however, be underestimated. Marshall Plan assistance fed an essentially starving population during severe winters following the War. American aid also helped prime the economic pump. It at the very least speed economic revoery and may have even made it possible. Speed is a very important factor. Had economic recovery faltered or been delayed, it is very possible that Communists may have achieved power in countries like France, Greece, and Italy and possibly other countries as well.
Hitchcock, William I. The Struggle for Europe: The Turbulent History of a Divided Continent (Doubleday), 513p. This is a thought provoking, well researched book. He has gained access to never before used Soviet archives. We do not agree with all of his conclusions. The author in many instances, for example, tends to explain Soviet actions as response to American policies rather than the inherent nature of a brutal regime.
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