The purpose of the Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Program, was to aid the rebuilding of European economies after World War II. Announced by U.S. Secretary of State George C. Marshall in 1947, the plan allocated over $12 billion in economic assistance to help Western European countries recover from the devastation of the war. The overarching goal was to prevent the spread of communism by stabilizing these nations economically, fostering political stability and cooperation. The Marshall Plan not only facilitated rapid industrial and agricultural recovery but also strengthened ties between the U.S. and Western Europe, laying the groundwork for future alliances.