

InterviewSolution
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The period after the Second World War was marked by tension and cooperation Why did many European world leaders promote the idea of greater economic cooperation and unity in Western Europe after the Second World War ? |
Answer» The Second World War had brought colossal destruction to Europe. Every participating country was economically exhausted after the war. During the Second World War, many political leaders of the western European countries had seen the destructive effects of national self-interest. They advocated more economic and political co-operation among the European states so as to avoid wars in the future. After the Second World War, it was widely believed that European economic recovery could be quickened by a co-operative effort among the European states. There was also a growing conviction that in the modem competitive world, the small nation-states could not be economically viable. In 1948, the European economy began to revive. From 1950 on wards, European economic growth became rapid. There are a number of factors which can explain the rapid economic recovery of Europe : The small European states could compete with the two economic giants, Russia and the United States, only through the removal of tariff barriers between themselves, economic co-operation and the utilization of their economic resources on a continental scale. Economic recovery was helped by the changes in Government policies. Before the war, most European Governments adopted the laissez-faire policy. After the Second World War, most of them tried to stimulate the economic growth of their own countries by more Government investments. In Britain, the Beveridge Report was adopted and it meant that the British Government would make heavy investment in developing the welfare services in Britain. Growth in world trade also helped economic recovery. After the war, many European countries had realized the disastrous effects of tariffs on inter-European trade. Trade between Europe and the developing countries in Asia and Africa also increased after the war. Scientific and technological advances after 1945 also helped economic recovery. Both chemical and electrical engineering industries made rapid advances during and after the war. The demand for these new products ensured continuing prosperity in the post-war years. The most important factor in assisting speedy economic recovery in the immediate post-war years was the injection of foreign aid into the European economy. |
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