Introduction for Students

"The end of World War II in Western Europe left millions homeless and helpless in the face of hunger, poverty, and disease. The region's political and economic instability worsened the situation, which contrasted sharply with the relatively ample bounty enjoyed by many Americans once the soldiers came home."

Herbert Block, a political cartoonist more commonly known as Herblock, expressed his support for the Marshall Plan in the cartoon seen here. The Marshall Plan was created in 1947 to address the problems that many Europeans were facing in the aftermath of World War II.

Europe had been divided by conflicting ideologies on government and economics, as well as by leaders such as Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. During the war, Europe was decimated physically, economically, and politically. Europe managed to rebuild, especially with the help of the Marshall Plan, but did Europe ever manage to unite?