The primary aim of the Marshall Plan after WWII was to aid in the economic recovery of Western European nations following the devastation of the war. Officially known as the European Recovery Program, initiated in 1948, the plan provided over $12 billion in economic assistance to help rebuild war-torn regions, bolster economies, and prevent the spread of communism. By promoting economic stability and cooperation, the Marshall Plan was instrumental in fostering European integration and reinforcing ties between the United States and Western Europe.