After the end of World War II Europe was devastated. People we hungry homeless and with out water. The US provided economic Aid to Europe in attempts to help them recover from the damages. The US gave Europe roughly 13 billion dollars. The US gained many things from this. They helped relieve destroyed areas, helped modernize industry, remove trade barriers and prevent the spread of communism. The United Kingdom received most of the money compared to others, second was France and other Allied nations. Axis powers received less of the money due to their opposition during the war. The Soviet Union refused any Financial Aid from America. The Marshall plan was essentially a large economic rescue program.