The main impetus for the Monnet Plan or Modernisation Plan was because of pressure from the US to develop a programme in order to justify further aid for France and because of Monnet's own belief that an integrated Europe was impossible without first re-constructing the economy in France. General De Gaulle, leader of the Provisional Government was in agreement, realising that a programme for French economic re-vitalisation was essential, this decision to increase productivity, raise living standards and invest in the French infrastructure lay behind the French Modernisation Plan. Monnet became head of the planning commission, Commissariat General du Plan, initiated by the French Cabinet in Jan 1946. The plan was to be financed by foreign loans, mainly from the US. The American example was clearly evident in the plan, particularly because of the contribution of Robert Nathan, and because the economic philosophy behind the plan rested in increased productivity, statistical analysis of data and the active involvement of industry, labour and consumers in formulating the Plan. The Commissariat was made up of a series of Modernisation Committees, which dealt with the different sectors, such as employers, trade unions and government experts, these then reported back to the Planning Council, who formulated the findings into thve plan. Robert Marjolin, Etienne Hirsch and Pierre Uri were members of this Council, with Monnet as their Chairman. The Commissariat was not responsible to any Government department and this independence gave Monnet a considerable amount of maneuverability.

The originals are held in various Archives and Presidential Libraries in the USA