The Marshall Plan Comparative Book Review

The Marshall Plan : Comparative Book Review

Introduction

The Marshall Plan , whose architect was George Marshall , the Secretary of State after the 2nd World War during the administration of President Harry Truman , was the blueprint for the economic and social recovery of war-torn Europe . Pouring vast wealth and resources into the region , the United States had the primary objective of expelling the threat of communism brought about by the growing sphere of power of the Soviet Union . Rejected by the Soviet Union , who claimed that the plan was basically meant to as

imperialist tool of the United States , the Marshall plan has had success in the countries that welcomed it , whose economy soared after the economic and political crisis experienced during the world war . The two books I selected give a comprehensive and encompassing view of the contributions , successes , and political hurdles of the Marshall Plan . Below are my brief account summary and review of books of authors who looked at the Marshall Plan in similar and different lenses

Book 1 : The Most Noble Adventure : The Marshall Plan and the Time When America Helped Save Europe by Greg Behrman

The beginning of the book of Greg Behrman The Most Noble Adventure : The Marshall Plan and the Time When America Helped Save Europe is a recount of the character of the person who was responsible for the Marshall Plan , the economic strategy of the United States that essentially shaped the foreign policy condition for decades after that . In 1947 , George Marshall announced the economic concessions that America would offer states in Europe , the region that were most devastated by the war Extended to all European countries , the Soviet eventually declined the offer , claiming propaganda as the motivation of America , a decision that was not altogether unfortunate for the United States because from the start , they viewed Soviet participation as a disadvantage for any cooperative measures . Initially , the Soviet participated in talks regarding the Marshall Plan , and they criticized much of its contents eventually walking out on the talks . American representatives announced that they would push through with the plans , with or without Soviet participation , which then already prohibited the cooperation of East Europe , whose country is under the Soviet sphere of influence

The main intent of the Marshall Plan was humanitarian assistance for Europe , to help a region that was torn and wrecked by the bloodiest war in history . Of course , this objective was accomplished , as economic figures and political history would prove , and in this sense , the Marshall Plan , United State 's humanitarian initiative , was a success Yet , the motivation for coming up with such strategy is not purely out of altruism , in fact , it was also necessary for America to survive . If Europe 's economy would break down , it would mean less revenue to American products , which would have an impact on the export industries of the US . The book also shows , despite its title , the angle of American self-interest for self-preservation

The author George Behrman also explored the politics...