If There's a Problem, Yo I Solved It

Marshall structures his argument in perfect logical format. He establishes the problem, discusses the parameters of the problem, and then proposes a solution based on the problems he's just enumerated. His ideas flow smoothly from one paragraph to the next. He even keeps the whole thing short and sweet so that when he's done it's difficult to disagree with him.

For the actual Marshall Plan, as in the cash handed over to Europe, it's interesting how that got divvied up. The idea was that it would be given out according to need, but then weighted by who was on the right side. Germany needed it bad—but so did Britain, which was bombed pretty relentlessly as well. Britain was also a close ally and didn't have Hitler as a leader. (Both serious bonuses.)

Eighteen western European countries got money. The United Kingdom got the most with 26%, then France with 18%, and finally West Germany with 11%. So the top three countries getting aid received 65% total.

How it Breaks Down

What Are We Doing Here?

He opens the speech with a thesis statement, then a quick appeal:

"I need not tell you gentlemen that the world situation is very serious. That must be apparent to all intelligent people." (1.1-2)

Marshall says the problem is serious, and then basically says, "if you're intelligent, you see that my statement is true." Who in the crowd is going to raise their hand and say, "No! I'm an idiot! I don't get it!"

Nobody. (Remember, this was delivered at Harvard.)

Okay, It's Bad. How Bad?

The second paragraph discusses how bad it is. Specifically that while the visible cost might be bad enough, the invisible is even worse:

"In considering the requirements for the rehabilitation of Europe the physical loss of life, the visible destruction of cities, factories, mines and railroads was correctly estimated, but it has become obvious during recent months that this visible destruction was probably less serious than the dislocation of the entire fabric of European economy." (2.1)

He goes on to lay the problems at the feet of the Nazis, which is a good move. Nobody likes the Nazis. Can't pass that up.

Dogs and Cats, Living Together, Mass Hysteria!

It's not just the economy in peril; it's all of civilization:

"The farmer has always produced the foodstuffs to exchange with the city dweller for the other necessities of life. This division of labor is the basis of modern civilization. At the present time it is threatened with breakdown." (3.2-4)

He's underscoring the severity of the problem here, and in the following paragraph says that in order to set things right, Europe needs more than they thought, and more than it can repay.

What's the Worst that Could Happen?

World War III.

Marshall doesn't come right out and say it, but he points out that bad economic conditions are where political extremism comes from, whether its Russian feudalism creating a left wing tyrant in the form of Joseph Stalin or putative World War I reparations creating a right wing tyrant in the form of Adolf Hitler.

He also stresses that he's being apolitical: he's trying to alleviate suffering, not start a beef with a specific country:

"Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist." (5.3-4)

That's the kind of thing you like to hear out of a government official.

How Do We Do This?

Marshall finishes up his epic argument of awesomeness by addressing the final concern. How do we do this?

He stresses that it has to be Europe in the lead here, because they know what they want. If Germany's in the middle of a shoe shortage, you don't send them hats. His last message is that we're the only ones who can do this, and so we're obligated:

"With foresight, and a willingness on the part of our people to face up to the vast responsibility which history has clearly placed upon our country, the difficulties I have outlined can and will be overcome." (8.3)

Marshall knew what he was doing.