The goal of the Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Program, was to provide economic assistance to rebuild European countries after the devastation of World War II. Announced in 1947 by U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall, the plan aimed to promote stability and prevent the spread of communism by revitalizing economies through financial aid, food supplies, and material support. It helped to restore industrial and agricultural production, improve living standards, and foster economic cooperation among European nations. The Marshall Plan played a crucial role in establishing a prosperous Western Europe and helped solidify the U.S.-European alliance during the Cold War.