Civilian Conservation Corps

The Civilian Conservation Corps was first presented as part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal. I remember when I first heard about it, I knew immediately that I was hooked. Its goal was to put young men to work. While I was staying in the army in South Carolina, I decided to incorporate some of CCC’s ideas in my soldiers. I even took a pay cut in order to stay in the Army. So, I taught my men to grow their own food and helped establish CCC projects along the South. A series of reforms was necessary in order to improve their morale and to help make their experience beneficial in the future. I also began a newspaper for the CCC region that would help promote achievement. A variety of programs was initiated as well to develop skills and improve the individual’s general health. My inspections of the CCC camps gave me a chance to relax and withdraw myself into the beauty of the American northwest along with my wife, Katherine. Such beautiful memories that brings back... 
          Personally, I believe that this assignment was “the most instructive service I ever had, and the most interesting.” However, most of my peers did not like the idea of CCC. That did not stop me though since I already had a firm belief that personal glory was less important than the welfare of the nation. CCC would help accomplish a positive attitude in creating strong, hardworking citizens that are faithful to their country. 
         Together, we all have the ability to change individuals for the better of the whole.

Exchange with the President

I admit that I can be a little too blunt at times but I can’t help it since it is a part of my personality afterall. Nonetheless, this trait of mines led to a surprising event while I was attending a White House conference in November 1938… 
          President Roosevelt made a proposal to build 10,000 aircrafts to provide to European democracies for the prolongation of U.S involvement in World War II. I was shocked to hear that there was no provision in training this mass amount of flight crews. When Roosevelt asked other attendees for their opinion, all of my military colleagues agreed with him even though I knew that they would oppose if it wasn't for his mere presence. Roosevelt eventually asked me “Don’t you think so, George?” I know that Roosevelt had a high position in society; however that didn’t mean he could call me by my first name so casually! Feeling a little upset and bold, I replied back, “I’m sorry Mr. President, I don’t agree with you at all.” The president was shocked upon hearing this and brought the meeting to respite. My fellow colleagues already knew about this compulsion of mine and just assumed that that incident would spell doom for my career. 
          Surprisingly, Roosevelt actually acknowledged me and decided to promote me to the Chief of Staff of the Army! I felt so honored so I told him “I have the habit of saying exactly what I think which can be unpleasing. Is that all right?” He responded with a grin and said “I know.” From that point on, we maintained a friendly partnership and probably had the most important exchange in American military history.

My Awards

Foreign military honors

• Brazilian Order of Military Merit
• British Order of the Bath (Knight Grand Cross)
• Chilean Order del Merito
• Colombian Grand Cross of the Order of Boyacá Cherifien (Given by President Ospina Perez as he opened the IX Panamerican Conference)
• Cuban Order of Military Merit, First Class
• Ecuadorian Star of Abdon Calderon, First Class
• French Croix de Guerre
• French Legion of Honor
• Greek Grand Cross Order of George I with swords
• Liberian Centennial Medal
• Montenegro Silver Medal for Bravery
• Netherlands Grand Cross with Swords in the Order of Orange Nassau
• Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (Italy)
• Order of the Crown of Italy
• Moroccan Grand Cross of Ouissam Alaouite
• Soviet Grand Cross Order of Military Merit
• Soviet Order of Suvorov
• Panamanian Medal of La Solidaridad, Second Class
• Peruvian Gran Official del Sol del Peru

Civilian honors

• In 1948, I was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award for my role and contributions during and after World War II.
• Nobel Peace Prize 1953 for the Marshall Plan.
• The United States Postal Service honored me with a Prominent Americans series
• 1959 Karlspreis (International Charlemagne Prize of the city of Aachen).
• 1960 George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
• The British Parliament established the Marshall Scholarship in recognition of my contributions to Anglo-American relations.
• Many buildings and streets throughout the U.S. and other nations are named in my honor.
• George C. Marshall Award, the highest award given to a chapter in Kappa Alpha Order.
• George C. Marshall High School, founded in 1962 and located in Falls Church, Virginia, is the only public high school in the United States named after me
• The Marshall Elementary School is in the Laurel Highlands School District, Uniontown, Pennsylvania

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Effect of My Plan

 

The main goal of my plan was to rebuild prosperity and stability in Europe. Optimism was important since we had to look towards a better future not the destruction caused by World War Two. Efforts were made to help modernize European industry and business with high tech American models. Artificial trade barriers were also reduced to help promote more exports and income. We also supplied food for citizens so their daily ration increased and hunger was reduced. My plan took about five years to complete from 1947 to 1951. Europe’s economies have grown slowly but surely with the aid of our money. 
          Overall, the total political and economic reconstruction of Western Europe was stimulated. West Germany was the main receiver of our vast funds since the “complete revival of Germany industry, particularly coal mining” was of “primary importance” to American security. After all, the shutdown of the Germany industry has disrupted the Allies intra-European trade. Since we are loaning money to these nations in need, of course they would feel obliged to us until they have paid their debts. Communist Parties will have to cease since they plainly go against our institutions. The power and popularity of these groups have worried the United States. 
          We DO NOT want communism to spread further and overpower democratic nations. Still, without our help they probably wouldn’t have gotten as far as they have now with the United States to help. At this low point of their lives, us Americans must be seen as heroes I suppose.

Introducing...the Marshall Plan

As an effect of World War Two, Europe was destroyed and its people’s hearts along with it. Somebody had to take action, so I came up with an idea to loan money to European nations in need. This wasn’t cheap of course since it included $13 billion worth of US dollars from the government. This was welcome to all European nations but of course the Soviets did not accept it. USSR polices are completely different from our democratic institutions. Secretly, our belief was that communist aggression fed off economic turmoil. Of course we did not say that publicly and I even mentioned at a commencement speech at Harvard that “Our policy is not directed against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos.” 
          Regardless, the division of Europe appeared to be sped up faster into two opposing blocs. Almost all Western European nations used our help while Eastern European nations refrained from it. Hmm I wonder if Stalin of Russia had something to do with it... Word has even spread that Stalin pushed for more authoritarian control of Eastern Europe to guard Soviet interest. We cannot trust them completely just yet...
          I admit that we have an ulterior motive since nations that accept our grant will feel obliged to side with us. However, the ending result of this will only serve to improve Europe’s terrible condition. Since the enactment of my plan, the economy has been growing rapidly and stronger for nations that requested for our funds while other nations obviously did not get the same benefit.

Movie of My Life

Chapter One

  Chapter Two

Chapter Three

            Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

Introduction

 Greetings everyone, my full name is George Cattlet Marshall. So far, throughout my life I have had many important jobs including 15th Army Chief of Staff, 50th Secretary of State, 3rd Secretary of Defense, military leader, and soldier. I was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania on December 31, 1880 into a middle class family. In 1901, I graduated from Virginia Military Institute and received a commission as a second lieutenant sent to the Philippines the following year. Later I was able to continue my education at Fort Leavenworth in 1906. I graduated top of the class and qualified for the Army Staff College. I was always serious about my education and anything military related of course. 

          After my course was completed, I decided to continue on for two additional years as an instructor. It was in the First World War that I served on the Western Front and cooperated in the planning of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. The success of our military plan eventually earned me a promotion to colonel for five years as an aide to General John Pershing. In the following five years, I maintained my job as an instructor at Fort Benning. In June 1933, I was given leadership over the 8^th Infantry and responsible for 34 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. After first hearing about the CCC camps, I decided to support it and even argued that the US Army should fully cooperate in operating it. 
          However, after I received the command, I became seriously ill and had to receive surgery to remove my thyroid gland. It was such a terrifying moment for me! For a while, people assumed that I would be retired from the army but luckily I was able to make a full recovery and prove them all wrong. I worked hard at my job and in return I was promoted several times. This seemed to impress Harry Hopkins who convinced President Franklin D. Roosevelt to promote me to Chief of Staff. Roosevelt even agreed with him and in 1939, I assumed my first political office in the government. While working in politics, Harry S. Truman noticed my talents as well and gave me a promotion to Secretary of State. Life blesses with me so many opportunities, so in return I will contribute to society as much as I can!
          It was during this time, that I planned out the European Recovery Plan (ERP). We spent a total amount of $5,300,000,000 and rebuilt European’s buildings and economy. Due to this, I was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. Europe should be thankful for my brilliant idea. However, I admit that I had some enemies in my business. Joe McCarthy, a right wing senator, thought that I was being too soft on communism! He gave out a speech on June 14^th and declared that I was making decisions that "aided the Communist drive for world domination" and insinuated that I was a traitor to his country! How dare he! I made so many selfless achievements that benefited our nation greatly! Still, hearing this made me feel depressed so I retired from politics. On October 1, 1959, I kicked the bucket but was honored with many eulogies at my funeral. I'll always cherish those memories!