Excerpts from senator rand pauls article against the afforda - GED Practice Questions
Question
After World War II, the United States implemented the Marshall Plan, which provided over $13 billion in economic assistance to Western European countries. What was the primary motivation behind this massive foreign aid program?
Answers
-
-
-
correct
-
Explanation
Correct Answer: C. To contain the spread of communism by strengthening allied economies
The Marshall Plan (officially the European Recovery Program) was primarily motivated by the U.S. strategy of containment—preventing the spread of Soviet influence and communism in Western Europe. By helping to rebuild and strengthen European economies, the U.S. hoped to create stable, prosperous allies that would resist communist influence.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option A (To rebuild Japan's infrastructure): Japan received U.S. aid through a separate program (the Occupation of Japan), not the Marshall Plan, which was specifically for Europe.
- Option B (To spread Christianity): Religious conversion was not a goal of the Marshall Plan, which focused on economic recovery and political stability.
- Option D (To create new markets for agriculture): While economic benefits to the U.S. were a secondary consideration, the primary motivation was geopolitical—containing communism.
No Payment Cards Needed
