Germany: The Ultimate Prize
Germany became the real battleground for Marshall Aid's true purpose. America couldn't let this strategically crucial country fall under Soviet control, so they pumped 11% of the total $13 billion Marshall Aid budget into rebuilding West Germany.
The formation of Trizonia in June 1948 and the introduction of the Deutsche Mark currency were clear signals that America was building a capitalist stronghold in the heart of Europe. Stalin responded immediately with the Berlin Blockade - he knew exactly what was happening.
During the blockade, America's response revealed both genuine care and strategic calculation. The Berlin Airlift delivered over 2.3 million tonnes of supplies, continuing even five months after Stalin lifted the blockade in May 1949. This showed America was serious about being the 'global policeman' and proving capitalism could outlast communism.
Reality Check: Even America's most generous moments during the Berlin crisis were designed to demonstrate Western superiority and prevent communist expansion.
While Marshall Aid did help rebuild Europe, calling it genuinely altruistic ignores the bigger picture. America was creating profitable trading partners whilst ensuring poverty - communism's 'fertile ground' - couldn't take root in Western Europe.