This book brings together a selection of original and predominantly archive-based studies on
the local-level impact of the Marshall Plan both on the industrial structure of a set of
European countries and on American firms themselves. The book's uniqueness lies in the
originality of the contributions in many cases stemming from recently concluded long-term
research projects. While historians have concentrated on analyzing the macro-economic effects
of American economic aid its impact on Western European industry has been largely neglected.
This volume will fill this gap in Marshall Plan studies. Though the Marshall Plan did not
change local development paths and in fact probably could not have done so in regions such as
Ireland or Southern Italy it offered an opportunity for industrial renewal in regions and
countries with a solid and long-established industrial base such as Northern Italy and France.
