By: Christine June
Public Affairs Office
George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GERMANY (June 2, 2017) - The George C. Marshall European Center Research Library created a 70^th Anniversary of the Marshall Plan website to celebrate and educate soldier, statesman and Center’s namesake George C. Marshall’s concept of rebuilding European security and economies following World War II.

Marshall delivered a commencement speech at Harvard University on June 5, 1947, where he announced one of the largest economic aid programs in history. Known officially as the European Recovery Plan, the initiative is best recognized by “the Marshall Plan.”

The centerpiece of the online celebration is a collection of editorial cartoons from Soviet newspapers, criticizing the Marshall Plan. Though the Soviet Union was invited to participate in the initiative, they refused and began a propaganda campaign to discredit the initiative.

“The Research Library has three books from this time period. We selected the cartoons we liked best and had the captions translated. There are 18 posters in the Research Library on display and we will share others around the center. But the best way to see them all at one time is by viewing them on online,” said Marshall Center Research Librarian Karen Cooper.

Besides the Soviet-era editorial cartoon collection, the online exhibit features a selection of historical and contemporary books, videos, and essays related to the Marshall Plan.