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WHY DID THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA GIVE FINANCIAL AID TO EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AFTER 1945? Study Sources 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and answer the questions that follow - NSC History - Question 1 - 2016 - Paper 1
Question 1
WHY DID THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA GIVE FINANCIAL AID TO EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AFTER 1945? Study Sources 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and answer the questions that follow. 1.1 ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:WHY DID THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA GIVE FINANCIAL AID TO EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AFTER 1945? Study Sources 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and answer the questions that follow - NSC History - Question 1 - 2016 - Paper 1
Step 1
1.1.1 State TWO ways in which Western European countries were affected by the Second World War.
Answer
Western European countries faced severe devastation due to the Second World War, which led to:
- Destruction of infrastructure, including buildings and transport systems, making recovery and trade difficult.
- Ruined agricultural lands, resulting in food shortages and economic instability.
Step 2
1.1.2 Explain in your own words why George Marshall decided to launch the European Recovery Programme in the late 1940s.
Answer
George Marshall initiated the European Recovery Programme, also known as the Marshall Plan, to help rebuild war-torn Europe. He believed that assisting these nations would not only alleviate human suffering but also prevent the spread of communism. The plan aimed to revitalize industrial production, restore the economy, and foster political stability across Europe.
Step 3
Step 4
1.1.4 Using the information in the source and your own knowledge, explain why the Marshall Plan was seen as having 'created an economic miracle in Western Europe'.
Answer
The Marshall Plan is often referred to as having created an economic miracle due to its significant impact on Europe's recovery. The influx of financial aid allowed countries to rebuild their infrastructure, stabilize their economies, and boost industrial production. This rapid recovery contributed to a shift towards prosperity and ensured that nations could resist communist influences, leading to long-term political stability in Western Europe.
Step 5
1.2.1 Why, according to Varga, did the United States of America implement the Marshall Plan?
Answer
Varga suggests that the United States implemented the Marshall Plan primarily to prevent the anticipated economic crisis that could arise from Europe’s post-war instability and the potential spread of communism.
Step 6
1.2.2 Select TWO pieces of evidence from the source that indicate that the United States of America used the Marshall Plan to prevent an economic crisis.
Answer
- Evidence that the USA anticipated a drop in production leading to increased unemployment in Europe.
- The need to increase exports to bolster the American economy.
Step 7
1.2.3 Define the term monopoly capital in your own words in the context of the Marshall Plan.
Answer
Monopoly capital refers to the concentration of economic power within a few large corporations that dominate the market, often leading to limited competition. In the context of the Marshall Plan, it suggests that the USA sought to promote its economic interests while providing aid, ensuring that the flow of capital favored American businesses.
Step 8
1.3 Consult Sources 1A and 1B. Explain which ONE of the sources (1A or 1B) would be more useful to a historian studying the implementation of the Marshall Plan.
Answer
Source 1A would be more useful for understanding the implementation of the Marshall Plan, as it directly provides details on the countries involved, the motivations behind the aid, and the specific economic conditions faced by Europe post-war. Source 1B offers a limited perspective influenced by Varga's interpretation.
Step 9
1.4.1 What messages do you think are conveyed in the cartoon about Europe’s relationship with the United States of America during the Cold War?
Answer
The cartoon suggests a complicated relationship between Europe and the United States, depicting Europe as reliant on American support. It implies that the USA holds significant power over Europe, which may lead to notions of submission or dependency during the Cold War era.
Step 10
1.4.2 Explain why you think the face of the figure in the cartoon is depicted as a coin.
Answer
Depicting the figure's face as a coin signifies the economic interests at play in the relationship. It suggests that financial aid and economic power play a crucial role in the interactions between the United States and European countries during the Cold War.