Which European nation received significant aid from the Marshall Plan?

The Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Program, was initiated by the United States in 1948 to aid Western European nations in their recovery following the devastation of World War II. Among the countries that received substantial aid, France was one of the primary beneficiaries.

France faced severe economic difficulties post-war, including housing shortages, weakened infrastructure, and a need to revitalize industry and agriculture. The financial support from the Marshall Plan enabled the French government to invest in rebuilding its economy, which included modernizing its industrial sector and improving its agricultural output. The infusion of capital helped stabilize the French economy, leading to an increase in production, employment, and overall economic growth during the late 1940s and early 1950s. This significant aid was critical in helping France regain its economic footing and play a vital role in the political and economic integration of Western Europe in the subsequent decades.

Other nations like Sweden, Finland, and Portugal also had economic needs after the war; however, they did not receive the same level of aid as France under the Marshall Plan. Sweden, for instance, was relatively less affected by the war due to its neutrality, while Finland had unique wartime conditions that shaped its post-war recovery strategy, which differed from the