Economic Leadership of the United States after WWII

1. Economic Leadership of the United States after WWII Yesterday’s Questions

2. 1. What did America’s monopoly of atomic power in 1945 symbolize? Its monopoly of atomic power was symbolic of America’s dominance in world markets.

3. 2. Provide three statistics to prove the United States was an economic superpower in 1945. • controlled: • 42% of the global income and half its manufacturing capacity • 57.5% of the world’s steel market • 43.5% of the world’s electricity production • 62% of the world’s oil • 80% of the world’s automobiles • 75% of the world’s gold

4. 3. Why does the author conclude that no other power will ever again enjoy such a productive preponderance over the rest of the world? Circumstances of two world wars destroyed all America’s rivals. It would take another world war to eliminate China, Japan, Europe, Brazil etc as rivals.

5. 4. Why has obesity become an ever bigger problem for Americans since 1945? Provide several theories. high standard of living; food is relatively cheap invention of fast food following World War Two advent of television and addiction to video gaming

6. 5. What motivated the American government to give $13 billion in Marshall Plan aid to western Europe after World War Two? gave money to Europe so that it could buy $13 billion worth of goods from the United States that would otherwise have gone unsold.

7. 6. What strings did the United States attach to Marshall Plan aid? Was this reasonable under the circumstances? had to outlaw commies from positions of influence. Yes. US gave money to ensure success of capitalism No. US interfering in politics of other countries

8. 7. What special status was afforded the American greenback (dollar) in 1945? the international reserve currency; couldn’t rise or fall; other currencies pegged to it

9. 8. Identify the two international financial institutions created at the Bretton Woods (New Hampshire) Conference in 1944 and explain how they benefitted the United States. International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Bank expand American exports force countries to remove trade barriers so U.S. could expand into new markets traditionally enjoyed by other imperialist powers

10. 9. According to this reading, what caused the Cold War? America’s fear that if Communists came to power and instituted planned economies, free market economies would be forced out. American investment would be forfeit and the potential for profit gone.

11. An American Empire? The anti-empire empire

12. Decolonization • the dismantling of empires • Who still had empires in 1945? • Britain • France • Belgium (Congo) • Portugal (Angola, Mozambique) • Holland • Spain

13. When did Britain and France lose their colonies? Britain • United States (1776) • Ireland (1921) • White Dominions: Canada; Australia; New Zealand; South Africa (1932) • India (1947) • Egypt (1954) • after Suez Crisis just about everything else France • Indo-China (1954) • Tunisia (1956) • Morocco (1956) • after Suez Crisis just about everything else • Algeria (1962)

14. Decolonization in Asia after World War II

15. Decolonization in North Africa after World War II

16. Decolonization in South Africa after World War II

17. What role did United States play in all this decolonization? no territorial aggrandizement; no territorial changes made against the wishes of the people; restoration of self-government to those deprived of it; free access to raw materials; reduction of trade restrictions; global cooperation to secure better economic and social conditions for all; freedom from fear and want; freedom of the seas; and abandonment of the use of force, as well as disarmament of aggressor nations. • As first colony to break free from an empire, it provided a blue print. • Atlantic Charter • in 1941, as a condition for entering war, USA made Britain promise to decolonize

18. Who should colonies of Britain and France look to for support? • United States • Soviet Union Both support decolonization!

19. Textbook pp.313-320 • List three reasons Asian independence movements gained strength after 1945. • Why did the USA and USSR support these decolonization movements? • Identify some problems newly-independent countries faced. • Identify and state the significance of SEATO • Record at least five important points about India’s struggle for independence.

20. 1. List three reasons Asian independence movements gained strength after 1945 • Colonial regiments served alongside Allies in war • The Atlantic Charter drafted by Winston Churchill and FDR • Nationalist movements in the colonies led by European-educated leaders

21. 2. Why did the USA and USSR support these decolonization movements? • Wanted the breakup of European Empires • US would have greater access to the former colonies’ markets and resources – political/economic motivations • USSR – to establish communist rule in new nations

22. 3. Identify some problems newly-independent countries faced. • Arbitrary boundaries determined by colonial powers • Inherited weak economies with limited resources • Raw materials out and manufactured goods in – raw materials at mercy of world markets • New democracies often corrupt democracies

23. 4. Identify and state the significance of SEATO • SEATO –Southeast Asia Treaty Organization – 1954 • Members: US, France, Great Britain, Australia,, New Zealand, Thailand, Pakistan and Philippines • A military alliance (similar to NATO) designed to halt communist expansion in Asia • US could intervene in Asian affairs

24. 5. Record at least five important points about India’s struggle for independence. • Ruled by Britain for 200 years • Promised full autonomy at end of WWIII • Conflict between 2 main political parties: the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress (against partition) • 1947 – Indian Independence Act – Partitioned and 2 republics formed: India and Pakistan • Muslims in India fled to Pakistan and Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan fled to India