The Netherlands decisively aligned with the Western bloc (NATO) rather than remaining neutral or siding with the communist bloc. The Netherlands had strong economic, cultural, and political connections with the West and the United States. After World War II, the Netherlands received significant financial assistance through the U.S. Marshall Plan, which helped rebuild its war-torn devasted economy. The Netherlands was geographically close to the Soviet sphere of influence, with Eastern Europe under Soviet control. Joining NATO provided military protection against potential Soviet Imperialism.