Europe's recovery from the destruction of carpet bombing by Allied forces was made possible by the generosity of the American people in the form of the Marshall Plan.  And, when the Soviet Union tried to force the West to abandon West Berlin, the Air Lift proved the resolve of the U.S. to ensure that western Europe did not fall behind "the iron curtain".  European countries were grateful, more than willing to establish markets with the U.S.  We had the capital and resources needed by the countries of Europe to rebuild.  The Soviet Union did not.  We encouraged public participation in governance, a far cry from what the Soviets were willing to allow. No two economic and political systems could be further apart.