George Marshall (Only take notes on pages with a * in the title)

Early Career  (December 31, 1880 – October 16, 1959)  Chief of Staff of the Army(1939 to 1945)  Secretary of State(1947 to 1949)  Enrolled at Virginia Military Institute  Graduated as Senior First Captain of the Corps of Cadets

During World War One  No matter the post he distinguished himself over the next 9 years  He was appointed to General Staff  When we joined the war he sailed to France with the First Division  He exceeded in the battles of Cantigny, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse- Argonne.

Post WWI  Instructed at the Army War College in 1927  Assistant commandant of the Infantry School (1927 to 1932)  Named General Chief of Staff in September, 1939 by Franklin D. Roosevelt  He was named America’s Foremost Soldier

*Post WWII Europe*  Western Europe was in chaos.  Many factories were destroyed.  Millions of poor were living in refugee camps.  Poverty and unemployment grew exponentially.  Harsh winter in caused crops, water supply, and fuel to be cut off.

*Marshall’s Plan*  Proposed plan to aid any countries in Europe rebuilding from the destruction of WWII  Required European countries to cooperate to develop common plan for recovery.  Soviet Union refused to participate

*Promoting Marshal's plan*  United States gave 13 billion in aid to 16 countries within 1947 and  Goal = stable market based economies that would promote democratic institutions.  By mid 1950s most countries of western Europe were U.S. allies.  West Germany brought back into the rebuilt of European community.

*Importance to U.S. Economy*  Marshal plan prevented U.S. from going back to depression.  Much money from marshal plan was spent on American goods transported in American ships.  Helped the U.S. maintain strong economy and world economic leadership.

*Europe and the U.S.*  Promoted strong trade between Europe and the U.S.  Europe became favorable place for American investment.  Strengthened capitalism as economic system against soviet communism.  Communism less appealed to European voters when democracy resulted in great economic conditions.