Marshall Plan and American Security
The Marshall Plan was the most successful U.S. foreign assistance program ever. It rejuvenated Western Europe and other areas of the globe after World War II. It also had a direct and significant impact on American security.
A Marshall Plan-style program run by the Center for Economic Initiatives (CEI) demonstrated the effect on security and is having a similar impact today. James Silberman, who originated the Marshall Plan’s Technical Assistance Project in the late 1940s, is an active advisor to CEI.
Immediately after the World War II, Europe was in turmoil. There had been tremendous loss of life, and devastation was widespread. Governments were not able to provide necessary services. People looked for ways to improve their lives. They faced two main alternatives: Turn toward the democratic West or toward the communist East.
In both France and Italy, the Communists gained nearly half the vote. America, Britain and the other Western allies needed to do something quickly to improve living conditions, to prevent Western European countries from going communist.
U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall introduced the Marshall Plan. Without it, the world would have been far less secure. Since the Marshall Plan, the countries of Western Europe have lived in peace with each other and with the United States.
Most people want to live in a safe environment, where they can raise their families in peace and enjoy a reasonable standard of living. When economic and political conditions make it impossible for people to reach their aspirations, they may turn to violence and terrorism.
Today the United States again faces a significant security threat. Many leaders are concluding that the best way to combat this threat is to help nations develop their economies and improve their living standards. CEI’s Marshall Plan-style program of technical assistance does this by helping local businesses grow and prosper.
CEI is the only organization applying the Marshall Plan’s technical assistance methodology today. Participation in CEI programs has enabled people in Ukraine and other countries of the former Soviet Union to experience great economic successes. Ukraine, for example, is not only becoming prosperous, but it is also friendly toward the United States and free of nuclear weapons.
CEI’s Marshall Plan-style technical assistance program can also help nations fighting narcotic growers. A technical assistance program can help growers develop alternative crops so they’re not economically dependent on the narcotics trade.