How did the Marshall Plan align with George Kennan's goals regarding Communism?

The choice that highlights how the Marshall Plan aligned with George Kennan's goals regarding Communism is the one that notes it provided financial aid to counteract the influence of Communism. George Kennan was a prominent American diplomat and historian who articulated the strategy of containment, which aimed to prevent the spread of Communism beyond its existing borders. He believed that the best way to counter Soviet influence was through economic stability and prosperity in Western Europe.

The Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Program, was implemented in 1948 to provide substantial financial assistance to war-torn European nations. By offering aid for reconstruction, the plan aimed to revive economies, improve living standards, and foster political stability in these countries, which in turn diminished the appeal of Communist ideologies. Essentially, the financial support reinforced the idea that economic health was crucial in warding off Soviet expansion and influence, aligning closely with Kennan’s containment strategy.

This strategy effectively countered the potential for Communist parties to gain traction in Western Europe by addressing the economic hardships that could make such ideologies appealing. Instead of isolation, the Marshall Plan encouraged nations to engage in a collective effort to rebuild and resist Soviet pressure, reinforcing Kennan's long-term objectives of limiting the spread of Communism through