Marshallaðstoðarinnar

Marshallaðstoðarinnar, commonly known as the Marshall Plan, was a United States program that provided foreign aid to Western Europe after World War II. Officially titled the European Recovery Program, it was enacted in April 1948 and was in effect for four years. The primary goal was to rebuild war-torn regions, remove trade barriers, and modernize industry. The plan was named after U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall, who proposed it in a speech at Harvard University in June 1947.

The Marshall Plan provided over $12 billion in economic assistance to more than a dozen countries. While often seen as a purely altruistic endeavor, the U.S. also had strategic interests. It aimed to prevent the spread of communism by fostering economic stability and prosperity in Western Europe, thereby reducing the appeal of Soviet ideology. Additionally, a stronger European economy would create markets for American goods.

The plan's impact was significant. It played a crucial role in the rapid recovery of Western European economies, contributing to increased industrial and agricultural production. It also fostered closer economic ties between participating nations and the United States. While the Soviet Union and its Eastern Bloc allies were also offered aid, they declined, viewing it as an American attempt to exert influence. This further solidified the economic division of Europe during the Cold War. The Marshall Plan is widely regarded as a successful foreign policy initiative that helped shape the post-war world order.