What was the primary goal of the Marshall Plan?

The primary goal of the Marshall Plan was to aid in the economic recovery of European nations after World War II. Officially known as the European Recovery Program, this initiative, which was proposed by U.S. Secretary of State George C. Marshall in 1947, sought to provide financial aid to help rebuild war-torn European countries. The devastation caused by the war left many nations in dire need of support to restore their economies, infrastructure, and societies.

By providing substantial economic assistance, the United States aimed not only to revitalize Europe but also to prevent the spread of communism, which was a significant concern during the early stages of the Cold War. Healthy economies were seen as a bulwark against the appeal of communist ideology, which thrived in regions facing economic distress. The success of the Marshall Plan is often credited with laying the foundation for long-term economic growth and cooperation in Europe, leading to greater stability in the region.

The other options do not encapsulate the main objective of the Marshall Plan. While military alliances did form later, such as NATO, and notions of expanding U.S. territory or establishing peacekeeping forces were relevant to different aspects of U.S. foreign policy, none of these were the primary intent behind the Marshall Plan.