Effects and Achievements
The Marshall Plan proved highly successful:
European industrial production surged, exceeding pre-war levels by 35–50% in many sectors (e.g., steel, chemicals, engineering) by the early 1950s.
Gross national products in recipient countries rose 15–25% during the plan's timeframe.
It sparked the “Wirtschaftswunder” (economic miracle) in West Germany and similar booms elsewhere, laying the foundation for the European Economic Community ( precursor to the EU).
Politically, it strengthened democratic institutions, reduced communist influence (e.g., in France and Italy), and solidified the division of Europe during the Cold War.
Historians widely regard it as one of the most effective foreign aid programs in history, demonstrating that targeted economic support could achieve both humanitarian and strategic goals.
The Marshall Plan was a successful effort to not make the punitive mistakes implemented after we won WW1, but laid the tracks for Hitler to chug to power in the 1930s.
See my comment #22,314, at the Attack on Europe thread, regarding opportunities for Trump to make positive moves, or have failures depending on how he handles issues of real estate, economic development, and military development in the next few years. These thoughts are especially aimed at his potential moves that affect the Ukraine/Russia war and possible peace.