<P> Italian and French communist leaders were prevented by party rules from pointing out that it was actually Stalin who had directed them not to take opposition stances in 1944 . The French communist party, as others, was then to redirect its mission to "destroy capitalist economy" and that the Soviet Communist Information Bureau (Cominform) would take control of the French Communist Party's activities to oppose the Marshall Plan . When they asked Zhdanov if they should prepare for armed revolt when they returned home, he did not answer . In a follow - up conversation with Stalin, he explained that an armed struggle would be impossible and that the struggle against the Marshall Plan was to be waged under the slogan of national independence . </P> <P> Congress, under the control of conservative Republicans, agreed to the program for multiple reasons . The 20 - member conservative isolationist Senate wing of the party, based in the rural Midwest and led by Senator Kenneth S. Wherry (R - Nebraska), was outmaneuvered by the emerging internationalist wing, led by Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg (R - Michigan). The opposition argued that it would be "a wasteful' operation rat - hole"'; that it made no sense to oppose communism by supporting the socialist governments in Western Europe; and that American goods would reach Russia and increase its war potential . Vandenberg, assisted by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr . (R - Massachusetts) admitted there was no certainty that the plan would succeed, but said it would halt economic chaos, sustain Western civilization, and stop further Soviet expansion . Senator Robert A. Taft (R - Ohio) hedged on the issue . He said it was without economic justification; however, it was "absolutely necessary" in "the world battle against communism ." In the end, only 17 senators voted against it on March 13, 1948 A bill granting an initial $5 billion passed Congress with strong bipartisan support . Congress would eventually allocate $12.4 billion in aid over the four years of the plan . </P> <P> Congress reflected public opinion, which resonated with the ideological argument that communism flourishes in poverty . Truman's own prestige and power had been greatly enhanced by his stunning victory in the 1948 election . Across America, multiple interest groups, including business, labor, farming, philanthropy, ethnic groups, and religious groups, saw the Marshall Plan as an inexpensive solution to a massive problem, noting it would also help American exports and stimulate the American economy as well . Major newspapers were highly supportive, including such conservative outlets as Time Magazine . Vandenberg made sure of bipartisan support on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee . The Solid Democratic South was highly supportive, the upper Midwest was dubious, but heavily outnumbered . The plan was opposed by conservatives in the rural Midwest, who opposed any major government spending program and were highly suspicious of Europeans . The plan also had some opponents on the left, led by Henry A. Wallace, the former Vice President . He said the Plan was hostile to the Soviet Union, a subsidy for American exporters, and sure to polarize the world between East and West . However, opposition against the Marshall Plan was greatly reduced by the shock of the Communist coup in Czechoslovakia in February 1948 . The appointment of the prominent businessman Paul G. Hoffman as director reassured conservative businessmen that the gigantic sums of money would be handled efficiently . </P> <P> Turning the plan into reality required negotiations among the participating nations . Sixteen nations met in Paris to determine what form the American aid would take, and how it would be divided . The negotiations were long and complex, with each nation having its own interests . France's major concern was that Germany not be rebuilt to its previous threatening power . The Benelux countries (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg), despite also suffering under the Nazis, had long been closely linked to the German economy and felt their prosperity depended on its revival . The Scandinavian nations, especially Sweden, insisted that their long - standing trading relationships with the Eastern Bloc nations not be disrupted and that their neutrality not be infringed . </P>

Who did the us aid after world war 2