Commemorative issue Marshall Plan 50th anniversary
Gen. George C. Marshall, map or Europe
Officially named the European Recovery Program, the Marshall Plan was introduced in 1947 by the United States to rebuild and create a stronger foundation for Western Europe, while repelling communism following World War II. The “plan” was named for Gen. George C. Marshall, U.S. secretary of state at the time, and generally was the creation of State Department officials. Established June 5, 1947, was developed at a meeting of the participating European nations. Although offered to the USSR at the time, that nation did not accept it. During the four-year span of the Marshall Plan, the United States provided about $13 billion collars in economic and technical assistance.