‘Europe convalescent home — He’s getting better too quickly …’ On 9 November 1948, in connection with the aid granted by the United States (Dr Uncle Sam) for European economic reconstruction (the Marshall Plan), German cartoonist Ernst Maria Lang illustrates the fears of France (the young Marianne) and the United Kingdom (John Bull) at an overly prompt economic recovery of Germany (Michel). On the right, the Netherlands (a little Meisje) observes the scene.