Coal miners in Zonguldak, Turkey, circa 1950, where Marshall Plan programs helped modernize equipment to turn the mines into a reliable energy source for Europe.

As a neutral nation in World War II, Turkey did not suffer war damage. However, because of its growing ties with Western Europe, Turkey received $225 million in Marshall Plan funds to modernize its infrastructure as part of project linking it more closely with the European economy.

The Marshall Plan invested $16 million into the Zonguldak mines near the Black Sea – including bringing in mining experts from across Europe – to turn a neglected state-run operation into a profitable, efficient enterprise. In other projects, Turkey’s road network was expanded from 1,500 miles to 30,000 miles, and the number of tractors in Turkey was expanded from 2,200 in 1948 to 26,000 in 1952. (National Archives)