Step-by-step explanation:
In 1947, several European countries requested Marshall Aid, officially known as the European Recovery Program (ERP), which was proposed by U.S. Secretary of State George C. Marshall. The primary purpose of Marshall Aid was to provide economic assistance to war-ravaged countries in Western Europe to aid in their post-World War II recovery.
While multiple countries expressed interest in participating in the Marshall Plan, one of the first countries to request aid was the United Kingdom (UK). The UK, led by Prime Minister Clement Attlee, faced significant economic challenges after the war and sought assistance to rebuild its economy and infrastructure. The British government submitted a formal request for Marshall Aid in July 1947, signaling its intention to participate in the program.
Other European nations, including France, Italy, and the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg), also requested and eventually received Marshall Aid. Over time, a total of 16 European countries became recipients of Marshall Aid, benefiting from the economic assistance provided by the United States.
It's worth noting that while the United Kingdom was one of the early countries to request Marshall Aid, it was not the only country to do so. The program aimed to provide assistance to multiple war-torn nations in Western Europe, helping them recover economically and stabilize their societies in the aftermath of World War II.