Question

Why did Stalin decline to participate in the Marshall Plan? Stalin understood that the Marshall Plan would never succeed in reconstructing Europe. Stalin felt that the Marshall Plan was just an attempt to deprive Russia of its gains. Stalin knew that the Marshall Plan would only empower France. Stalin hoped to keep Germany and Western Europe weak.

Answer 1

Stalin hoped to keep Germany weak.

Answer 2

Stalin hoped to keep Germany and Western Europe weak.

With keeping the Western European nation's weak, Stalin believed that he would have an easier time taking over the countries and setting up communist regimes and governments


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