What was the main purpose of the Marshall Plan after World War II?

The main purpose of the Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Program, was to help rebuild European economies after the devastation of World War II. This initiative, which was introduced by Secretary of State George C. Marshall in 1947, aimed to provide significant financial aid to war-torn European nations to stimulate economic recovery and prevent the spread of communism. The U.S. government believed that a stable and prosperous Europe would be less susceptible to communist influence, thus contributing to global stability and American security interests.

The Marshall Plan provided over $12 billion (equivalent to over $100 billion today) in economic assistance to help rebuild Western European countries such as France, West Germany, and Italy. By revitalizing industries, modernizing infrastructure, and encouraging trade, the plan successfully facilitated economic recovery in these nations and fostered cooperation among them, laying the groundwork for future European integration.

The other options do not accurately capture the primary intent of the Marshall Plan. While military intervention in Asia and the establishment of NATO were relevant to U.S. foreign policy during the post-war period, they were separate initiatives not directly linked to the goals of the Marshall Plan. Promoting American cultural values could have been a byproduct of increased economic interaction and stability, but