How did the Marshall Plan affect the course of the Cold War in Western Europe? A potential Soviet invasion of Western Europe was deterred by the Marshall Plan, which detailed a military response to an attack. A system of alliances created by the Marshall Plan committed the United States to the security of Western Europe against the Soviets. Western Europe was able to recover from World War II and fend off communist influence due to the Marshall Plan outlining a system of loan repayments. Economic stability provided through the Marshall Plan strengthened the nations of Western Europe against Soviet influence.