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The Marshall Plan: Section 1: Introduction Summary

Hey, So We're In Trouble

  • Marshall starts his speech to Harvard University's Alumni Association with…well, basically a doomsday message.
  • No, seriously. His first sentence (after his "thank you"s and "hello"s) is that the world is in trouble right now.
  • The best part about this opening, though? He's buttering up his crowd by saying he doesn't need to tell them that because it's obvious to intelligent folks. (Ooh, Marshall. You slick.)
  • He goes on to point out that it's tough to understand just how bad the situation is, because there's a ton of information getting thrown at people through newspapers and radios.
  • On top of that, the folks who are struggling are far away from America.
  • Way to keep the mood light, Marshall.