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In February 1947, Britain informed the United States that London is ending aid to Greece and Turkey. U.S. President Harry Truman then seized the moment. Truman successfully authorized $400 million in aid for Turkey and Greece.
He also established the Truman Doctrine -- a clear distinction between the capitalist and communist worlds.
During George Marshall's (Minister of foreign affairs since 21.1.47) journey through Europe, he recognized the hopeless situation of Europe. He saw the sorrow with his own eyes and so mentioned the "Marshall-Plan" on his Doctor speech.
The Marshall Plan offered billions of dollars in U.S. aid to European countries -- including those under Soviet occupation. Stalin ordered his foreign minister, Vyacheslav Molotov, to pull out of a Paris conference. As Molotov left Paris, he accused the West of working to divide Europe into two hostile camps.
Stalin saw the Marshall-Plan as a seed of the captitalism and refused to accept the money. He also forbid all the countries under his influence to accept the financial help.
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