General and statesman George Marshall is credited with creating which plan to stabilize postwar Europe and deter communism?

• A. It stabilized European economies and helped forestall the spread of communism
• B. It funded a global space program
• C. It expanded the US involvement in Asia
• D. It established a global currency union

Answer: (A)

This question centers on how economic aid was used to rebuild Europe after World War II and prevent the spread of communism. George Marshall framed a plan—the European Recovery Program—that provided substantial funding and materials to Western European countries. The goal was to stabilize economies, restore production, rebuild infrastructure, and promote trade and financial reforms. By lifting economic distress and fostering political and economic stability, the plan reduced the appeal of extremist movements and helped deter Soviet influence in the region. The other options don’t fit because they refer to initiatives in areas not addressed by this plan: a space program funding is unrelated to postwar European recovery; expanding U.S. involvement in Asia is a different strand of Cold War policy; and a global currency union did not exist as a plan.