Question

"The truth of the matter is that Europe's requirements for the next 3 or 4 years of foreign food and other essential products -- principally from America -- are so much greater than her present ability to pay that she must have substantial additional help, or face economic, social, and political deterioration of a very grave character.

The remedy lies in breaking the vicious circle and restoring the confidence of the European people in the economic future of their own countries and of Europe as a whole.

... Aside from the demoralizing effect on the world at large and the possibilities of disturbances arising as a result of the desperation of the people concerned, the consequences to the economy of the United States should be apparent to all. It is logical that the United States should do whatever it is able to do to assist in the return of normal economic health in the world, without which there can be no political stability and no assured peace. Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist."

—George C. Marshall, remarks made at Harvard University on June 5, 1947

-Which broad U.S. policy goal of the mid-twentieth century was supported by the implementation of the policy proposed in this speech?

Answer 1

The Marshall Plan supported the broader U.S. policy goal of containing communism by rebuilding European economies after World War II, thus bolstering democratic governments capable of resisting Soviet influence and creating markets for U.S. goods.

Step-by-step explanation:

The broad U.S. policy goal of the mid-twentieth century that was supported by the implementation of the policy proposed in George C. Marshall's speech was the containment of communism and the promotion of economic stability in Europe as a means of bolstering democratic governments and resisting Soviet influence. This policy was operationalized through the European Recovery Program, commonly known as the Marshall Plan.

The plan involved providing over $12 billion in economic aid (equivalent to around $147 billion today) to European nations to rebuild their economies, which in turn would create stable democracies capable of resisting communist threats and reopening markets for U.S. goods. By restoring the economies of Western Europe and preventing the spread of communism, the United States aimed to maintain political stability and peace in the region while also benefiting from a revitalized European market for American products.