Lesson 17: New Changes in Capitalism after World War II

The Union of Europe

After World War II, the Western European countries relied on their original industrial base and the assistance of the Marshall Plan, adopted the most advanced scientific and technological achievements, and formulated appropriate economic development policies to promote economic recovery and development. by the early 1950s, the industrial production of each country had largely recovered to or even surpassed the pre-war level. from the 1950s to the 1970s, Western Europe The economy continued to prosper.

In the early 1950s, six countries, including France and the Federal Republic of Germany, formed the European Coal and Steel Community. in 1958, the six countries established the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community. in 1967, these three organizations merged to form the European Community, or In 1967, these three organizations merged to form the European Community, or "EC" for short.

The EEC member states strengthened economic cooperation and strived to speak with one voice on the international stage, which promoted the economic development and international status of Western European countries. in 1993, most Western European countries formed the European Union on the basis of the EEC, which greatly accelerated the process of European integration.

The Development of the United States and the Rise of Japan

  After the Second World War, the United States actively expanded the world market, applied the latest scientific and technological achievements, and innovated production technology, stimulating economic prosperity and becoming the hegemon of the capitalist world. After the 1990s, a "new economy" characterized by globalization and information technology emerged, and the U.S. economy developed further.

After World War II, the United States occupied Japan alone. The U.S. introduced demilitarization and democratization reforms in Japan and pushed the Japanese government to promulgate the "Peace Constitution. After the beginning of the Cold War, the United States began to actively support Japan for its own strategic needs. After the outbreak of the Korean War, Japan received a large number of orders for military supplies. In 1968, Japan became the second largest economic power in the capitalist world after the U.S.. The Japanese government took advantage of the favorable external environment, formulated appropriate economic policies, and vigorously introduced advanced technologies to promote rapid economic development.

Since the 1970s and 1980s, Japan's desire to become a political power grew stronger and its military spending increased, causing concern and anxiety among its Asian neighbors.

Establishment of the Social Security System

During Roosevelt's New Deal, the U.S. enacted the Social Security Act, which introduced a pension system and an unemployment insurance system to provide relief to those who had no one to depend on. After World War II, the major capitalist countries adjusted their policies and established social security systems in order to alleviate social conflicts, and in 1948, Britain declared a "welfare state. In the 1950s, the United States amended the Social Security Act several times to expand the number of beneficiaries, raise the minimum wage and subsidize poor students.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the social security systems of the major capitalist countries in the West were further developed.

The social security system was the result of the struggle of the working class, and the bourgeoisie also believed that the implementation of such a system could ease class conflicts and create a stable social environment conducive to economic development. However, the social security system cannot solve the basic contradictions of the capitalist system.

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