The Reasons

 
After almost six years of war ...
 
... Europe is destroyed ...
 
... cold ...
 
... and hungry !
 
First help came from organisations like CARE, but wa not sufficient.
 
 
CARE Homepage
 
The Marshall Plan was also meant as a means against the Soviet threat on Western Europe. 
 
It should also soften the change from war to peace production for the industry in the U.S.

This booklet underlined the benefits for American business.