George MarshallGeorge Marshall

(Only take notes on pages with a * in the title)

Early CareerEarly Career

(December 31, 1880 – October 16, 1959) (December 31, 1880 – October 16, 1959) Chief of Staff of the Army(1939 to 1945)Chief of Staff of the Army(1939 to 1945) Secretary of State(1947 to 1949)Secretary of State(1947 to 1949) Enrolled at Virginia Military InstituteEnrolled at Virginia Military Institute Graduated as Senior First Captain of the Graduated as Senior First Captain of the

Corps of Cadets Corps of Cadets

During World War OneDuring World War One

No matter the post he distinguished No matter the post he distinguished himself over the next 9 yearshimself over the next 9 years

He was appointed to General StaffHe was appointed to General Staff When we joined the war he sailed to When we joined the war he sailed to

France with the First Division France with the First Division He exceeded in the battles of Cantigny, He exceeded in the battles of Cantigny,

Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne. Argonne.

Post WWIPost WWI

Instructed at the Army War College in 1927Instructed at the Army War College in 1927 Assistant commandant of the Infantry Assistant commandant of the Infantry

School (1927 to 1932)School (1927 to 1932) Named General Chief of Staff in September, Named General Chief of Staff in September,

1939 by Franklin D. Roosevelt1939 by Franklin D. Roosevelt He was named America’s Foremost SoldierHe was named America’s Foremost Soldier

*Post WWII Europe**Post WWII Europe*

Western Europe was in chaos.Western Europe was in chaos. Many factories were destroyed.Many factories were destroyed. Millions of poor were living in refugee Millions of poor were living in refugee

camps.camps. Poverty and unemployment grew Poverty and unemployment grew

exponentially.exponentially. Harsh winter in 1946-47 caused crops, Harsh winter in 1946-47 caused crops,

water supply, and fuel to be cut off.water supply, and fuel to be cut off.

*Marshall’s Plan**Marshall’s Plan*

Proposed plan to aid any countries in Proposed plan to aid any countries in Europe rebuilding from the destruction of Europe rebuilding from the destruction of WWIIWWII

Required European countries to Required European countries to cooperate to develop common plan for cooperate to develop common plan for recovery.recovery.

Soviet Union refused to participate Soviet Union refused to participate

U.S. Aid

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

1

Co

un

try

Money (In Millions)

Other

Iceland

Yugoslavia

Portugal

Sweden

Ireland

Turkey

Norway

Denmark

Greece

Belgium/Lux.

Austria

Holland

West Germany

Italy

France

Great Britain

*Promoting Marshal's *Promoting Marshal's plan*plan*

United States gave 13 billion in aid to 16 United States gave 13 billion in aid to 16 countries within 1947 and 1952.countries within 1947 and 1952.

Goal = stable market based economies that Goal = stable market based economies that would promote democratic institutions.would promote democratic institutions.

By mid 1950s most countries of western By mid 1950s most countries of western Europe were U.S. allies.Europe were U.S. allies.

West Germany brought back into the rebuilt of West Germany brought back into the rebuilt of European community. European community.

*Importance to U.S. *Importance to U.S. Economy*Economy*

Marshal plan prevented U.S. from going Marshal plan prevented U.S. from going back to depression.back to depression.

Much money from marshal plan was Much money from marshal plan was spent on American goods transported in spent on American goods transported in American ships.American ships.

Helped the U.S. maintain strong Helped the U.S. maintain strong economy and world economic economy and world economic leadership.leadership.

*Europe and the U.S.**Europe and the U.S.*

Promoted strong trade between Europe and Promoted strong trade between Europe and the U.S. the U.S.

Europe became favorable place for American Europe became favorable place for American investment.investment.

Strengthened capitalism as economic system Strengthened capitalism as economic system against soviet communism.against soviet communism.

Communism less appealed to European voters Communism less appealed to European voters when democracy resulted in great economic when democracy resulted in great economic conditions.conditions.