Polly Davis
There were many economic effects on the Americas after World War II. The war triggered an economic boom in the United States (Mintz, 2013) however other countries in the Americas began to struggle, including Canada. Canada’s economy was dependent on Europe for trade, so while Europe was repairing from World War II, Canada’s economy began to slow and shrink. (“Marshall Plan,” 2015) America enacted the Marshall Plan which was meant to help rebuild their allies in Europe and keep communism away from the Americas. (“Marshall Plan,” 2015) The Marshall Plan established markets for American goods in Europe and Canada which helped to stimulate the United States economy. (“Marshall Plan, 1948,” 2015) This plan also helped Canada because Europe was able to buy Canadian goods with the aid provided by The Marshall Plan. In the couple years after the Marshall Plan was enacted, Canada made over a billion dollars. (“Marshall Plan,” 2015) This plan helped to get Canada’s economy back on track. Harry S. Truman, President of the United States described the Marshall Plan as, “One of America's greatest contributions to the peace of the world." He said, “I believe that, in years to come, we shall look back upon this undertaking as the dividing line between the old era of world affairs and the new -- the dividing line between the old era of national suspicion, economic hostility, and isolationism, and the new era of mutual cooperation to increase the prosperity of people throughout the world.” This quote shows continuity and change because America had once participated in activities such as economic hostility that were seen by the world as malicious acts of war which ultimately led to America entering World War II. With the enactment of the Marshall Plan, the United States was attempting to reach out to other countries and help them, contrary to their isolationist foreign policy when the war began.
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There were also many diplomatic effect on the Americas. An example of this is the creation of the United Nations. On January 1, 1942, representatives from the twenty-six nations that made up the Allies during World War II met in Washington to sign the Declaration of the United Nations. (“The Formation of the United Nations, 1945,” 2015) By doing so the nations were pledging their allegiance to each other and their disloyalty to the Axis powers. This kept any individual nations from creating peace with the Axis. (“History of the United Nations,” 2015) Harry S. Truman, President of the United States said, “The United Nations is designed to make possible lasting freedom and independence for all its members.” This quote shows cause and effect because the threat of take-over by the axis powers and conversion to communism during World War II was eminent. As a result the United Nations was created to reassure people across the world would not have to face that fear again and to keep peace among the nations. Both the United States and Canada were among the first twenty-six countries that signed the Declaration of the United Nations. The United States, however, stands as a permanent member of the Security Council along with Great Britain, France, Russia, and China. Canada is a non-permanent member and has served several terms on the council. (“Security Council,” 2011) By being such a large power, the United States used this to their advantage during the Cold War by facilitating the invasion of North Korea because of their aggression toward South Korea. (“The United States and the Cold War,” 2015) Since then, both countries have helped to keep peace throughout the world including amongst themselves. (“Canada and the United Nations,” 2015)
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Works Cited
Canada and the United Nations. (2015) Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations. Retrieved from http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/prmny-mponu/canada_un-
canada_onu/can_un-can_onu.aspx?lang=eng
History of the United Nations. (2015). UN News Center. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/history/
Marshall Plan, 1948. (2015). Office of the Historian. Retrieved from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/marshall-plan
Marshall Plan. (2015). New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Marshall_Plan
Mintz, S., & McNeil, S. (2013). Overview of the Post-War Era. Digital History. Retrieved from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=16
Security Council. (2011). Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations. Retrieved from http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/prmny-mponu/canada_un-canada_onu
/overview-survol/security_council-conseil_securite/SC-CS.aspx?lang=eng
The Formation of the United Nations, 1945. (2015). Office of the Historian. Retrieved from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/un
The United States and the Cold War. (2015) Encyclopedia of the New American Nation. Retrieved from http://www.americanforeignrelations.com/A-D/Collective-Security-
The-united-nations-and-the-cold-war.html
Canada and the United Nations. (2015) Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations. Retrieved from http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/prmny-mponu/canada_un-
canada_onu/can_un-can_onu.aspx?lang=eng
History of the United Nations. (2015). UN News Center. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/history/
Marshall Plan, 1948. (2015). Office of the Historian. Retrieved from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/marshall-plan
Marshall Plan. (2015). New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Marshall_Plan
Mintz, S., & McNeil, S. (2013). Overview of the Post-War Era. Digital History. Retrieved from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=16
Security Council. (2011). Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations. Retrieved from http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/prmny-mponu/canada_un-canada_onu
/overview-survol/security_council-conseil_securite/SC-CS.aspx?lang=eng
The Formation of the United Nations, 1945. (2015). Office of the Historian. Retrieved from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/un
The United States and the Cold War. (2015) Encyclopedia of the New American Nation. Retrieved from http://www.americanforeignrelations.com/A-D/Collective-Security-
The-united-nations-and-the-cold-war.html