Chapter 30 (The Western Renaissance, 1945-1968) Flashcards
(38 cards)
Western European empires were crumbling in the face of what?
Nationalism in Asia and Africa.
What were the economic conditions in western Europe after the were?
They were terrible. Runaway inflation and black markets testified to severe shortages and hardships.
Who were the Christian Democrats?
Progressive Catholics and revitalized Catholic political parties.
Which political party in Italy emerged as the leading parting in the first postwar elections in 1946 and in early 1948 won an absolute majority in the parliament in a landslide victory?
the Christian Democrats.
Who was the leader of the Christian Democrats?
Alcide De Gasperi, a courageous antifascist firmly committed to political democracy, economic reconstruction, and moderate social reform.
What was West Germany officially known as?
Federal Republic of Germany.
The Christian Democrats rejected what and placed their faith in what?
They steadfastly rejected authoritarianism and narrow nationalism and placed their faith in democracy and cooperation.
What welfare measures were enacted throughout continental Europe?
Family allowances, health insurance, and increased public housing.
What was established under the Labour party?
a “welfare state”. Many British industries were nationalized and the government provided them free medical service.
How did the US provide western Europe with both massive economic aid and ongoing military protection?
Economic aid was channeled through the Marshall Plan, and military security was provided through NATO, which featured American troops stationed permanently in Europe and the American nuclear umbrella.
What were the reasons for western Europe’s brilliant economic performance after 1948?
American aid helped the process get off to a fast start. Moreover, economic growth became a basic objective of all western European governments, for leaders and voters were determined to avoid a return to the dangerous and demoralizing stagnation of the 1930s.
What was the economy of postwar West Germany under the Minister of Economy, Ludwig Erhard?
Erhard bet on the free-economy while maintaining the extensive social welfare network inherited from the Hitler era. He believed capitalism was more efficient but also that political and social freedom could thrive only if there were real economic freedom. Erhard’s first step was to reform the currency and abolish rationing and price controls in 1948.
France combined what to achieve the most rapid economic development in its long history?
Flexible planning and a “mixed” state and private economy.
Western European nations abandoned protectionism and gradually created a large unified market known as what?
The “Common Market”.
How did Western Europe recover politically after 1945?
Republics were re-established in France, West Germany, and Italy. Constitutional monarchs were restored in Belgium, Holland, and Norway. Democratic government took root again and thrived. National self-determination was accompanied by civil liberties and individual freedom.
The close cooperation among European states required by the Americans for Marshall Plan aid led to what?
The creation of both the Organization of European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) and the Council of Europe in 1948.
European federalists hoped that the Council of Europe would quickly evolve into what?
A true European parliament with sovereign rights. (This did not happen.)
Jean Monnet and Foreign Minister Robert Schuman called for what in 1950?
A special international organization to control and integrate all European steal and coal production.
Which places accepted Monnet and Shuman’s idea?
West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg accepted the French idea in 1952.
What was the economic and political goals of the six nations who accepted Monnet and Shuman’s idea?
Economic: a single steel and coal market without national tariffs or quotas.
Political: to bind the six member nations so closely together economically that war among them would eventually become unthinkable and virtually impossible.
In 1957 the six nations of the Coal and Steel Community (France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg) signed the Treaty of Rome to create what?
the European Economic Community, generally known as the Common Market.
What were the goals of the Treaty of Rome?
- A gradual reduction of all tariffs among the six in order to create a single market almost as large as that of the US
- Free movement of capital and labor
- Common economic policies and institutions
Who was General De Gaulle?
A romantic nationalist who established the Fifth Republic and ruled as its president until 1969, and viewed the US as the main threat to genuine French independence.
What was done in France under De Gaulle?
He withdrew all French military forces from the “American-controlled” NATO, developed France’s own nuclear weapons, and vetoed the scheduled advent of majority rule within the Common Market.
