US Economic Power

• Post-WW2, the US emerged as a global economic superpower. Its economy was strengthened by the war and was able to out-produce all other nations combined.
• Example: After WW2, the US made up about half of the world's manufacturing capacity and was a major creditor nation.

US Commitment to Open Trade

• The US promoted 'open trade' policies, advocating for liberal trade and a competitive market.
• Example: After WW2, the US promoted the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) to reduce trade barriers and encourage international trade.

US Economic Stability in Europe

• With its economic strength, the US sought to prevent instability in Europe.
• Example: The Marshall Plan, a $12 billion aid package, was implemented to help European nations rebuild their economies after WW2.

Small Eastern European Countries

• Small Eastern European nations created after WW1 were not economically viable on their own and needed a stronger neighbor.
• Example: Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary relied on the USSR for economic support.

Democracy's Triumph

• The West saw the victory of WW2 as proof that democracy and international collaboration were the right paths for the future.
• Example: The establishment of the United Nations in 1945 reflected the Western allies' commitment to international collaboration.

Communism's Role

• The USSR believed that Communism had triumphed over fascism, having played a significant role in resisting the Nazis.
• Example: Communist resistance fighters in countries like France and Yugoslavia were crucial in battling German occupation.

USSR's Political Influence

• The USSR's enormous losses and the role of the Red Army in defeating the Nazis gave Stalin a claim to great influence in shaping the post-war world.
• Example: The USSR had a significant role in the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences, where the post-war order was discussed.

Communism in Eastern Europe

• The USSR had the political and military strength to prevent instability in Eastern Europe. Communism could fill the political vacuum there.
• Example: The USSR established Communist governments in Eastern Europe, forming what Winston Churchill called the "Iron Curtain."