The Marshall Plan Speech

American Modernism
The Marshall Plan Speech

November 14, 2024

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LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

After an initial reading and discussion of the speech, students will be able to evaluate details to understand key ideas.

• World War II: After Hitler invaded Poland, Britain and France declared war against Germany. Japan and Italy formed the Axis Powers with Germany. The U.S. and the Soviet Union joined Britain and France as the Allies.

• In the aftermath of World War II, much of Europe was left physically and economically devastated, while the U.S. enjoyed economic prosperity.

​Background Information:

• Europe was devastated by World War II. Many were left homeless after the bombings, and families were torn apart. Food was scarce throughout Europe. In Holland, people ate tulip bulbs to survive.

• The recovery following the war was slow because the population was decimated and schools, homes, and entire cities had to be rebuilt.

• The Soviet Union objected to the Marshall Plan because it included help for Germany. The Soviets viewed it as an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of other states. They refused to participate and prevented Poland and Czechoslovakia from taking part, even though these countries were eager to do so. The outcome of the Marshall Plan was that the people in Western European countries gradually earned better incomes and achieved better standards of living than the people in Eastern European countries.

  
  

​Background Information:

Read & Annotate

• Evaluate details to deepen your understanding of key ideas and note answers you find.

• For each boldfaced word, annotate to supply a possible meaning, and then use print or digital resources to clarify and validate the meaning. For multiple-meaning words, use context to determine intended meaning.

• Highlight any other unfamiliar vocabulary and note definitions and pronunciations.

​Now it's time to read The Marshall Plan Speech.

Remember to:

Open Ended

What was more important than rebuilding the cities and factories in Europe?

Open Ended

Why did the United States need to help Europe?

Open Ended

What would a “joint” program include?