When World War II ended in 1945, much of Europe was in ruins. Entire cities had been flattened by bombs. Factories were destroyed. Millions of people had no homes, no jobs, and barely enough food to survive. The United States. This had not been bombed, had a choice: walk away and focus on itself, or help Europe rebuild. On April 3, 1948, President Harry Truman signed a plan named after Secretary of State George Marshall. The Marshall Plan would send roughly $12 billion -- an enormous sum at the time -- to countries across Europe. The money helped rebuild roads, bridges, and factories. It bought food and machinery for farms. It even helped former enemies like West Germany. The plan was not just about being kind. American leaders worried that hungry, desperate people might turn to communism, which was spreading from the Soviet Union. By helping Europe recover, the United States also created new trading partners. Strong European economies meant more customers for American products. Within four years, European countries that received Marshall Plan aid saw their economies grow by more than 30 percent. The plan is often called one of the most successful foreign aid programs in history. It turned former enemies into allies and helped create the strong partnership between America and Europe that exists today.