The Marshall Plan: America, Britain and the Reconstruction of Western Europe by Michael J Hogan - Book Report/Review Example

?The Marshall Plan: America, Britain and the reconstruction of Western Europe, 1947-1952" by Michael J. Hogan Reviewed By…. Through The Marshall Plan, Hogan attempts to prove that the Marshall plan carried out by America is the best foreign policy ever. The author feels that this particular foreign policy projected America as one of the best reformed nations that were able to provide political and economic assistance to integrate a country. This particular plan is formulated in order to bring the reconstruction of the Western Europe and America had taken this up as one of its priorities post war period. It is not that the Marshall plan was made just for Europe. There were other countries that were also included as part of this policy but they were all peripheral. Europe was the most important target in this deal and hence the author attempts to have some in-depth analysis in the lines of Europe in the book. The Marshall Plan was formulated at the end of the World War II period in order to pave way for a progress of the economy of the nations. At the end of World War II, there was a great amount of devastation record in terms of property, life and also economy because of the instability attributed to the war condition. America emerged as one of the most powerful country after the war and decided to help its Allies in the war in reconstructing their nation. Its political as well as economic aspects were stable and America exhibited a strong leadership sense in all of its dealings1. Michael J. Hogan in the introductory chapters of the book provides that America followed a particular strategy called associative state that paved way for clear cut political, social as well as economical associations in the global level. United States had attempted to impose its vision over the Western Europe and to make it a mixed capitalist economy operating in a single market. Post war, both the US and Europe felt a strong need for integration of Europe in order to bring in more political and economic stability. This is how the Marshall Plan was originated and US provide grants and loans to the deserving European Nations on a timely basis. Even Germany was reintegrated into Europe with the help of US. In the entire process of its support to Europe, America provided huge amount as an aid. By providing close to $12 billion package of postwar aid to Europe, US thought that it will be able stabilize its position2. In spite of all these Europe has its own plans and some of the countries like Britain and France had different plans. The chapter further provides information that the America Marshall Plan is aimed at bringing economic order within and outside the country. The American diplomatic policy went for a change to suit the corporative style that was emerging in the country as per the book. The Marshall Plan was officially known to be the European Recovery Program. Hogan has made use of the most important document like cabinet reports and other validating documents were found in Britain and America which lead to a clear-cut view on the plan. These documents and proofs have started to be in circulation only in the last few years in US and Britain. The last few chapters of the book deals with the reality that Europe did become strong both economically and politically but not the way US wanted. The entire book is based on various proven facts and is evident that it is well researched on some of the most aspects such as plan motives, actions taken in this regard, the grants and loans that have been provided, through the authentic sources. The book discusses on the issues that rose with certain countries like that of Italy and France in Europe that wanted to follow communalism which lead to a some dislike from US which wanted to prove its capitalist means of economy in Europe. Though at later point of time the countries withdrew from the communist mode and is no longer in the crux of communalism, its activities were in support of it post war which set a major blow to the expectations of the US3. Hogan has done some extensive research on areas of prime importance. His quench for history and details is very much obvious from the way he has presented the ideas in the form of the books. Author of the book, Hogan, seems to have done some widespread research in the post war period and has made use of some of the authentic information to support his cause. Though the Marshall Plan has become one of the most interesting areas to research in the recent times, there was some period where the existence of such plan was not known. Documents and reports pertaining to this plan came into circulation only in the recent time and this paved way for the author to go for a complete study about the origin, purpose, effectiveness and also various other important facets regarding the plan. We shall say that the author has made best use of these resources and supports his cause with strong evidence. Michael Hogan through his book has brought out some of the different hidden perspectives and it is by all means a strong attempt from him. People have come to realize and undertake study on the Marshall Plan only in the recent times as information regarding the plan has started to come out only in the recent times. The author strongly believes that the Marshall Plan has greatly brought in developments both domestically and for the foreign countries4. He believes that the plan had created development within US so as it did for foreign countries. This contention of the author differs from the commonly held belief that the plan did not cause any sort of domestic development. Hogan puts up his arguments with strong and clear-cut evidences and arguments which has received wide appreciation from all corners. The book, The Marshall Plan: America, Britain and the reconstruction of Western Europe is a bold attempt from Hogan and is a must read for those who want to unveil the ideas and developments behind the Marshall Plan. Reference: Hogan, Michael. The Marshall Plan: America, Britain and the reconstruction of Western Europe, 1947-1952. Cambridge University Press, 1987. Read More