This three-volume work, which I am pleased to introduce, is the eighth edition of the Diplomatic and Historical Archives Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and includes historical and diplomatic documents related to the implementation of the Marshall Plan in Greece, during a period when our country was indeed at the crossroads of a new world, the post-war one.

A precise understanding of the Marshall Plan and the events of the period 1943-1951 has many facets. One aspect is the historical/scientific, aiming to broaden our problematic, prevent historical amnesia, and provoke interpretations that complement existing data or even overturn prevailing stereotypes. The other aspect is the contemporary political one, which seeks to highlight the timeless lessons from the implementation of the Marshall Plan in Greece, as a cooperative effort between Greece and the USA.

The return of history as a tool of education can help foster cooperation and understanding among nations today. With the safe distance we have from the historical events of that tragic era, we are able to evaluate the impacts of the Marshall Plan on the political, economic, and social life of a country devastated by Occupation and Civil War with greater calmness. For while it is true that the plan helped Greece stand on its feet, it is equally true that it contributed to the distorted development of the political system and democratic institutions, as well as the economic and social fabric of Greece.

[Excerpt from the introduction text]