What was one major similarity between the Marshall Plan and the Molotov Plan?
A. Both excluded Germany and Japan because of their roles in
starting World War II.
B. Both were designed to drain economic resources from Europe
following World War II.
C. Both represented unifying actions taken by the newly formed
United Nations.
D. Both were launched
because of the rivalry between the United
States and the Soviet Union.

In June 1947, in accordance with the Truman Doctrine, the United States enacted the Marshall Plan. This was a pledge of economic assistance for all European countries willing to participate, including the Soviet Union, who refused and created their own Molotov plan for the Eastern Bloc.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Distinguish between the Marshall Plan and the Molotov Plan

KEY POINTS

In early 1947, Britain, France, and the United States unsuccessfully attempted to reach an agreement with the Soviet Union for a plan envisioning an economically self-sufficient Germany.

In June 1947, in accordance with the Truman Doctrine, the United States enacted the Marshall Plan, a pledge of economic assistance for all European countries willing to participate, including the Soviet Union.

The years 1948 to 1952 saw the fastest period of growth in European history; industrial production increased by 35%, some of which has been attributed to the Marshall Plan aid.

The Soviet Union refused the aid because Stalin believed that economic integration with the West would allow Eastern Bloc countries to escape Soviet control.

In response, the Soviet Union created the Molotov Plan, later expanded into the COMECON, a system of bilateral trade agreements and an economic alliance between socialist countries in the Eastern Bloc.

KEY TERMS