What was the marshall plan and why was it instituted ?

The Marshall Plan (Or European Recovery Program(ERP)) was an American initiative to aid Western Europe, in which the United States gave over $13 billion in economic support to help rebuild Western European economies after the end of World War II.
The plan was in operation for four years beginning on April 1948.
The goals of the United States were to rebuild war-devastated regions, remove trade barriers, modernize industry, make Europe prosperous once more, and prevent the spread of communism.The Marshall Plan encouraged an increase in productivity, labour union membership, as well as the adoption of modern business procedure.

It was an American incentive to aid the Western part of Europe. It was instituted to help West Europe rebuild their economies after World War II. The plan was operating for a total of 4 years, starting on April 8th 1948