SOURCE A Stalin's decision to stand aside from the European Recovery Program was one of his greatest mistakes. Whatever their private plans, the Americans, having made the offer to all, would have had no choice but to include Eastern Europe in the ERP. Instead, the aid was confined to the West and marked a parting of ways between the two halves of the continent. Americans were divided as to the goals of the Plan. Idealists saw an opportunity to reconstruct Europe in the American image. However, from a more conventional American perspective, free trade and its benefits were themselves a sufficient objective and justification for the ERP programme. The United States had been particularly hard hit by the trading and export slump of the thirties and spared no effort to convince others of the importance to post-war recovery of free trade. American pleas for the unrestricted movement of goods were self-interested. But this self- interest was enlightened. The CIA Director Allen Dulles said, 'The Plan shows we desire to help restore a Europe which can and will compete with us in the world markets, and for that reason will be able to buy substantial amounts of our products. The Marshall Plan would benefit the USA by restoring her major trading partners, rather than by reducing Europe to a state of dependence. From a history book published in the USA in 2005. SOURCE B It is now suggested that the possibility of American aid being received by this or that country involves an obedient attitude by that country. What will remain of the economic independence of European countries? The Soviet Government certainly cannot go along this path and continue to support the proposals. When it is stated that the decisive hold on the restoration of the economic life of European countries should belong to the United States and not to the European countries themselves, such a position stands in direct contradiction to the interests of European countries. The Plan will lead to Britain, France and the group of countries that follow them separating from the rest of Europe, which will split Europe into two groups of states. From a statement by Molotov at the first Paris meeting about the Marshall Plan in July 1947. Molotov was the Soviet Foreign Minister. Study sources A and B. How far do these two sources agree? Explain your answer using details from the sources.

SOURCE A Stalin's decision to stand aside from the European Recovery Program was one of his greatest mistakes. Whatever their private plans, the Americans, having made the offer to all, would have had no choice but to include Eastern Europe in the ERP. Instead, the aid was confined to the West and marked a parting of ways between the two halves of the continent. Americans were divided as to the goals of the Plan. Idealists saw an opportunity to reconstruct Europe in the American image. However, from a more conventional American perspective, free trade and its benefits were themselves a sufficient objective and justification for the ERP programme. The United States had been particularly hard hit by the trading and export slump of the thirties and spared no effort to convince others of the importance to post-war recovery of free trade. American pleas for the unrestricted movement of goods were self-interested. But this self- interest was enlightened. The CIA Director Allen Dulles said, 'The Plan shows we desire to help restore a Europe which can and will compete with us in the world markets, and for that reason will be able to buy substantial amounts of our products. The Marshall Plan would benefit the USA by restoring her major trading partners, rather than by reducing Europe to a state of dependence. From a history book published in the USA in 2005. SOURCE B It is now suggested that the possibility of American aid being received by this or that country involves an obedient attitude by that country. What will remain of the economic independence of European countries? The Soviet Government certainly cannot go along this path and continue to support the proposals. When it is stated that the decisive hold on the restoration of the economic life of European countries should belong to the United States and not to the European countries themselves, such a position stands in direct contradiction to the interests of European countries. The Plan will lead to Britain, France and the group of countries that follow them separating from the rest of Europe, which will split Europe into two groups of states. From a statement by Molotov at the first Paris meeting about the Marshall Plan in July 1947. Molotov was the Soviet Foreign Minister. Study sources A and B. How far do these two sources agree? Explain your answer using details from the sources.