The main focus of the Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Program, was to provide economic assistance to help rebuild European countries devastated by World War II. Launched in 1948 under U.S. Secretary of State George C. Marshall, the plan aimed to restore economic stability, strengthen democracies, and counteract the spread of communism in post-war Europe. The U.S. allocated approximately $13 billion (around $140 billion in today's dollars) to support reconstruction efforts in participating nations. The Marshall Plan not only facilitated the recovery of European economies but also promoted cooperation and integration among Western nations, laying the groundwork for future alliances like NATO and the European Union.