George Marshall was an American-General. In June 1947 he announced his famous plan, known as the Marshall Plan which was an extension of the Truman Doctrine.
It was stated in the Plan that the USA was ready to help the European countries, shattered by the World War II, for their recovery.
Also it was stated that the USA was ready to help them in order to fight poverty, shortage of food in them, etc. But it was also made clear that the countries who would like to receive the assistance must take the first initiative.
In reality the Marshall Plan was an assistance program for the recovery of the European countries devastated by the World War II.
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At the same time the Plan desired to make the European countries free from the communist influence and bring them in alliance against the Soviet Union.
The Soviet Union realizing the real objective of the Marshall Plan asked its allies to stay aloof from the Plan.