In response to the situation described by President Harry S. Truman in 1947, where Europe faced economic distress leading to a political struggle between freedom and the risk of totalitarianism, the correct U.S. foreign policy would be:
1. The Marshall Plan: This foreign policy initiative was introduced by the United States in 1948 to aid Western Europe in post-World War II recovery by providing financial assistance for reconstruction and economic stability. The main goal was to prevent the spread of communism and promote democratic values by bolstering the economies of European countries, thereby reducing the appeal of totalitarian ideologies.
By implementing the Marshall Plan, the U.S. aimed to strengthen Western Europe economically and politically, fostering stability and democracy in the region. This proactive approach helped prevent the economic distress from being exploited as a justification for the establishment of totalitarian regimes, aligning with Truman's concerns about the political struggle between freedom and totalitarianism in the aftermath of the war.
