‘After Uncle Sam’s fruitless attempts to control European politicians, Stalin could succeed by employing more flexible means.’ In January 1951, the German satirical magazine Der Tintenfisch portrays a Europe in the Cold War period that is at the centre of international issues.

On 17 March 1948, against the background of the Cold War between the two superpowers — the United States and the Soviet Union — the Dutch daily newspaper Het Parool questions Europe’s role and position on the international scene.

Das Nachrichtenmagazin Der Spiegel analysiert die Reaktion der Sowjetunion auf den Marshallplan. Dabei kommt dem Handel mit den osteuropäischen Ländern eine besondere Bedeutung zu.

‘Peace is excluded from paradise.' On 20 July 1950, the Soviet satirical magazine Krokodil denounces the Marshall Plan, portraying it as a dangerous refuge serving the economic, military and religious interests of the West.

On 1 January 1949, the Soviet daily newspaper Pravda describes a Europe divided into a capitalist and a socialist sphere and compares the two systems.

On 17 December 1948, the Soviet newspaper Pravda criticises the US aid granted to West Germany under the Marshall Plan and deplores the decision taken by the British and American military authorities of the Bizone for an eventual transfer to the Germans of the decision-making authority regarding the ownership of the steel and mining industries in the Ruhr (Law No 75).

On 13 July 1947, the Soviet daily newspaper Pravda publishes a critical report on the work of the Conference on European Economic Cooperation which, at France’s invitation, opened the previous day in Paris in order to review the ways in which the loans granted to Europe under the Marshall Plan have been utilised.

On 2 July 1947, during the final meeting of the Three-Power Conference in Paris, Viatcheslav Molotov, the Soviet Union Foreign Minister, criticises the Marshall Plan and US imperialism.

Italian industry benefits from new equipment provided by the United States under the Marshall Plan. Fiat car factories do particularly well.

In Matera, southern Italy, funds allocated under the Marshall Plan make possible the construction of new housing.