The Marshall plan, or European Recovery Program as the name officially is, was an plan for aid to Europe after the second world war. The U.S donated about 13 billion dollar (which would be around 130 billion dollars today) to aid Europe in its recovery. The aid was given as both grants and loans. The aim behind the plan was to help European economics to recover after the war, and to keep them from turning communist. The plan also included lessening of trade regulations and restrictions in the receiving countries. The UK received the highest amount, thereafter followed France and west Germany. 18 countries received some sort of help from the Marshall Plan, but the Soviet Union refused the aid and blocked the East European countries from accepting as well. Instead, the Soviet Union established the COMCON aid as a replicate of the Marshall Plan. The Marshall Plan was signed into law by American President Harry S. Truman in 1948. The plan is named after Secretary of State George Marshall who were a firm believer in that economic stability would provide political stability in Europe.
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