“The Marshall Plan marked the beginning of the Cold War.” (1945–47)

What is the main argument of the view that the Marshall Plan began the Cold War?

It formalised ideological division, turning pre-existing tensions into open economic confrontation between East and West.

When was the Marshall Plan announced?

June 1947.

How did the USSR view the Marshall Plan?

As “dollar imperialism” — a US attempt to dominate Europe economically.

What organisation did Stalin create in response to the Marshall Plan?

Cominform (1947), to tighten control over Eastern Europe.

Why did the Marshall Plan increase Cold War tension?

It forced European countries to choose sides and led to the creation of two economic blocs.

What evidence shows the Cold War had begun before the Marshall Plan?

Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe (1945–46), creating pro-Soviet governments.

What two key U.S./UK documents show early hostility before 1947?

The Long Telegram (1946) and Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech (1946).

How did the Potsdam Conference contribute to early Cold War tensions?

It revealed disagreements over Germany, reparations, and Eastern Europe, weakening wartime cooperation.

How did the atomic bomb influence early Cold War tensions?

U.S. nuclear monopoly (1945–49) led to Soviet suspicion and insecurity.

What US policy preceded the Marshall Plan in 1947?

The Truman Doctrine (March 1947), which announced the strategy of containment.

How were the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan linked?

The Truman Doctrine provided ideological justification for containment; the Marshall Plan was its economic implementation.

What is the post-revisionist view of the Cold War’s origins (e.g., John Lewis Gaddis)?

The Cold War arose from mutual insecurity but hardened into firm blocs around 1947.

Did the Marshall Plan start the Cold War?

It did not begin it, but it institutionalised and intensified tensions, marking the start of the open, clearly defined Cold War.

What is a strong judgement for an essay?

The Marshall Plan was a turning point that crystallised the Cold War, but earlier actions (1945–46) show it had already begun before 1947.