Describe the aims and achievements of the Marshall Plan:

The main aim of the Marshall Plan was to help rebuild the economic infrastructure of Europe afters the ravages of the war and to contain the spread of Communism. Based upon the fear that people in economic distress tended to turn towards extremist parties and that, therefore it was in the interests of the capitalist West to prevent this by giving economic support to countries that might otherwise turn to Communism. The Marshall Plan was also designed to create new markets for American goods and it was also designed to stimulate the global economy thereby preventing another worldwide Depression.
Its achievements were that $17 billion of fuel, raw materials, goods, loans and food, machinery and advisers were sent to Europe, jump-starting rapid European economic growth.  All European economies grew to pre war levels, European economies became more integrated and the spread of Communism was stopped.  As Stalin refused the aid the divide between East and West became more pronounced.