The USA's involvement in Europe

January 1947

The British and US zones in Germany are merged to create Bizonia

June 1947

The Marshall Plan is announced

July-Sept 1947

USSR walks out of Paris Peace Conference. Cominform established.

February 1948

New currency is introduced in Western German zones

June 1948

London Conference recommends a constituent assembly

The USA's approach to Europe

The USA's approach to Europe was focused on working towards the reconstruction of a democratic region in which members not only would be agreed on mutual cooperation but also cooperation on an international scale.
No suggestion of a long term entanglement

What was there no clear indication of?

The USA regarding Europe as a springboard for the development of a global power.

What did the Assistant Secretary of State, Dean G Acheson warn in July 1945?

claimed that the instability in Europe mirrored a wider international problem which was a threat to the stability of the international democracy based on capitalism. He also argued that due to the collapse of railway and power systems the financial systems had come to a complete standstill.
This was not only a problem for the creation of democratic post war states but also the economic and social survival of European states.

What did Clayton (under-secretary of state) conclude in May 1947?

Clayton argued that Europe was deteriorating and without a increase in aid from the USA , Europe would experience social, economic and political disintegration on a regional scale.

By 1947, what was US strategic planning on Europe focused on?

Not only ensuring economic recovery in the wake of WW2 but also promoting unity within Europe which would lead to a stable bloc of pro-American European states.
By 1947, USA had concluded that only western Europe could be moulded into this

What was the USA's route into Europe?

Its "special relationship" with Britain.
Britain represented a politically stable state amid other less stable ones and was the driving force with this relationship with the USA.
The USA needed Britain's role and influence in Europe. Britain was the most receptive to the USA.

Britain's stance on its relationship with USA

There was a need to preserve its own international status which could only be achieved through USA's support through its contribution to Britain's security.
Wanted a relationship of mutual support not dependency.
Other western European states were faced with left-wing socialist political groups who appeared less reliable than the British labour movement. Consensus politics were in place in Britain and so it was a place USA could do business with.

Why was the Marshall Plan set up?

In May 1947, Clayton concluded that a failure to revive the economy of European states would damage the US economically, he predicted the loss of markets for American goods leading to unemployment in the US.
Emphasised a sense of urgency, analysis was alarmist and exaggerated the economic importance of Europe to the USA.

In May 1947, what did George Kennan's Policy Planning staff (PPS) conclude?

That it didn't regard communist activities in western Europe as the basic problem but rather the profound impact of ww2 upon the social, political and economic structure in Europe.
The focus of US aid to Europe should be upon the restoration of Europe's economic strength rather than on combatting communism.

What was the Marshall Plan?

The European Recovery Program (ERP), more commonly known as the Marshall Plan , was a program of U.S. assistance to Europe during the period 1948-1951.
Made public in a speech at Harvard University by George Marshall.

Over the next 5 years, what did the Marshall Plan provide?

$13.5 billion to 16 countries in Europe, through the form of goods as well as money

What was a condition of receiving aid through the Marshall Plan?

That some of it had to be spent on importing goods from the USA. Recipients were required to share economic information with the USA benefitting its own economy.
Also aimed at promoting European unity since a stable European bloc would reinforce Truman's idea of containment.

What did the American vision for Europe rest on?

The creation of a single European market.
Historians have argued that the Marshall Plan contributed to the creation of the European steel and Coal community from 1957.

What was the Marshall Plan not inspired as?

a strategy to prevent Soviet military intervention in west Europe.
It recognised the risk of continued post economic stagnation had into leading communist regimes being democratically elected into office.
The Marshall plan was designed to reverse this.

Which countries in particular was the USA concerned about?

the political and economic stability in France and Italy.
The french communist party had 1.7 million members in 1947 and a continued economic crisis would lead this number to grow - could lead to Soviet influence in west Europe.
In order to achieve stability, the Marshall plan was offered to all European states, including USSR.

Soviet perception on the Marshall Plan

Saw it as a clear example of American economic imperialism. They believed US influence may spread into Eastern Europe and thus undermine their sphere of influence.

By 1947, Czechoslovakia and Hungary...

Not yet fully under communist control. There were still communist-dominated coalition governments that showed interest in the Marshall plan.
Would have led to the states committing themselves to a restoration of market economies and a level of integration of economies with other countries that have accepted the aid.
Would have been brought under the influence of the stronger Western capitalist economies

In July 1947, what did the Soviet Union do?

They walked out of the Paris peace conference and by September had established Cominform.
Czechoslovakia and other Eastern European states that had expressed an interest in the Marshall plan were told to reverse their decisions.
Greater tightening of Soviet control over Eastern Europe was necessary.

What did the Marshall plan fail to do?

Undermine the Soviet sphere of influence in Eastern Europe
It had accelerated the division and undermined the possibility of international relations being based on some degree of cooperation.

Bizonia

By January 1947, the British and American zones were merged into one.
It gave the indication that the USA was interested in creating a clearly defined West German state that was to become the leading force in the unification of a capitalist western bloc

What did the Marshall plan suggest about Germany?

That a strong German economy was fundamental to the development of European economic recovery.
A new form of understanding of Germany and it now assumed a role of centrality in USA's relationship with Europe.

In November 1947, what did Andrei Zhdanov say?

He referred to USA's intention to construct a "western bloc" with Germany at its centre "as an American protectorate"

What did Kennan not believe?

That the Marshall plan would free the USA from long term dependency on it by the western zones. He was weary of the USA assuming such responsibility

What was there a commitment on the part of most of US foreign policy?

To reject the notion of a reunified Germany

The dangers of a reunified Germany to the USA

- Might become too powerful through the manipulation of Eastern and Western powers
-Germany might align itself with the USSR, particularly if the communist influence that was already present grew greater in the face of a reunified country
- The extent of American influence could be undermined as Germany develops a degree of economic dependence that would ensure its independence.