User:Eliannalandau/sandbox

Article Evaluation

Gulf War

The information provided in this specific article was helpful in understanding the conflict. However, I found that the background section trailed off into extensive information that isn't necessary in order for the common reader to understand the history leading up to the conflict. I didn't find any bias or non neutrality within the article. Historic background information about events leading up to the Gulf War is important to the overall understanding of the causation and international connections. That said, I think the Background and Run-up to the war sections of the article were a bit overstated and overwhelming for the every day reader. The article itself is extensive, clearly due to its focus on a war with the largest military alliance since WWII. I checked a few citations and hyperlinks and they all worked and were relatively up to date on their information.

The Marshall Plan Preliminary Bibliography

Lukacs, John. “A LOOK AT . . . THE LEGACY OF THE MARSHALL PLAN.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 25 May 1997, www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1997/05/25/a-look-at-the-legacy-of-the-marshall-plan/47b5b44c-e1eb-4c68-bd46-5a29c5c76c73/?utm_term=.b758f5822e5f.

Machado, Barry. “Selling the Marshall Plan.” The George C. Marshall Foundation, George C Marshall Foundation, marshallfoundation.org/library/digital-archive/selling-the-marshall-plan-chapter-2-monograph-collection/.

National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago. Foreign Affairs Survey, Jun, 1952 [survey question]. USNORC.520327.R16. National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago [producer]. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY: Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, iPOLL [distributor], accessed Oct-13-2017.

National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago. Foreign Affairs Survey, Mar, 1949 [survey question]. USNORC.490164.R11. National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago [producer]. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY: Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, iPOLL [distributor], accessed Oct-13-2017.

Gallup Organization. Gallup Poll, Feb, 1948 [survey question]. USGALLUP.030348.RT07C. Gallup Organization [producer]. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY: Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, iPOLL [distributor], accessed Oct-13-2017.

Gallup Organization. Gallup Poll (AIPO), Sep, 1941 [survey question]. USGALLUP.41-248.QKT09. Gallup Organization [producer]. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY: Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, iPOLL [distributor], accessed Oct-13-2017.

Improving an Existing Article

The section discussing public opinion of the Marshall Plan is very short. There is no mention of how Americans were increasingly isolationists during this time period and that ideology that influenced public opinion drastically changed under the Marshall plan. There is this whole history of a nationwide campaign for the Marshall Plan that completely shifted Americans from isolationists to internationalists that isn’t discussed at all on the page. That campaign for the Marshall Plan was also one of the first times people were really able to completely flip public opinion on a foreign policy issue. Many scholars say the Marshall Plan was the first big push for a change in American ideology from isolationism to internationalism, that primarily thrived during the post-WWII era. Also, the polling that is in the public opinion section is short and not very extensive, I found some public opinion polls I would like to include.

The Marshall Plan (Rough Draft)

Prior to passing and enacting the Marshall Plan, President Truman along with Marshall started on a domestic overhaul of public opinion from coast to coast. Not only was the purpose of this campaign to sway public opinion in their direction, but also to inform the common person of what the Marshall Plan was, and what it would ultimately do. They spent months attempting to convince American’s and their representatives that their cause was just, and that they should embrace the higher taxes that would come in their foreseeable future (Machado).

The campaign for public support was direct and aggressive. A copious amount of propaganda ended up having an immensely affective impact in swaying public opinion towards supporting the Marshall Plan. During the nationwide campaign for support, “more than a million pieces of pro-Marshall Plan publications-booklets, leaflets, reprints, and fact sheets,” were disseminated (Machado). 

Truman and Marhsall’s efforts proved to be effective. In a Gallup Poll taken between the months of July and December of 1947, it shows the percentage of Americans unaware of the Marshall Plan fell from 51% to 36% nationwide (Machado). Due to the domestic campaign having a two-fold purpose-gaining public support, and informing the common American-the entire country was able to be completely aware and read in on what would really be happening. By the time the Marshall Plan was ready to be implemented, there was a general consensus throughout the American public that this was the right policy for both America, and the countries who would be receiving aid. 

An important part of public opinion to note, is that prior to this period of WWII, Americans were highly of the isolationist ideology. However, many called The Marshall Plan a “milestone” for American ideology (Lukacs). By looking at polling data overtime from pre-WWII to post-WWII, one would find that there was a huge change in public opinion over ideology. American’s swapped their isolationist ideals for a much more global internationalists ideology after World War II. 

In a poll done by the National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago in June of 1952, respondents were asked the question, “Do you approve or disapprove of continuing to send economic aid to western Europe, like we have been doing under the Marshall Plan?” In response, 61% of Americans said they approve of continuing to send economic aid to western Europe (University of Chicago). But, in a poll taken in October of 1943, respondents were asked, “If a candidate for President in 1944--either Democratic or Republican--made the following statements about what our policies should be after the war, which one would meet with your greatest approval? A. We must give all necessary aid to friendly countries even at a good deal of sacrifice to ourselves. B. We must not give so much aid to foreign countries that it will lower our standard of living here in this country.” Over 60% of respondents said that the U.S. must not give too much foreign aid that it would lower our standard of living here in this country (Office of Public Opinion Research Roosevelt Survey).