1. European Economy and Society After WWII
14.7

2. Bretton Woods Conference (1944)
Representatives of 44 countries sought to create financial world without trade restrictions and economic nationalism
Creates the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank to provide loans to struggling countries

3. Postwar Economic Issues
Western Europe faced MAJOR financial problems
“Economic Miracle” – Western Europe rebounded incredibly well
Causes
Marshall Plan
Korean War stimulated economic activity
Keynesian Economics – spend money to kickstart economy
Higher demand and solid work ethic

4. Postwar Economic Issues
Popularity of the Welfare State
European governments now take care of the people
Reduced class tensions
Britain becomes model for welfare state
Guest Workers
High levels of immigration begin to affect culture
Nationalists worry about the future of their “identity”

5. Energy Crisis of 1970s
OPEC increased oil prices after US’s support of Israel in Middle Eastern affairs
Triggered economic decline due to high energy prices
Stagflation

6. Social Consequences of Economic Crisis
Trouble for communism and Soviet Union
High pessimism, but “welfare state” politics saves people from devastation
Return of conservatism in politics to control spending
Margaret Thatcher
Socialist/Keynesian approach in France fails
Francois Mitterand

7. European Society Post-WWII
Science, Class, Youth, Women, Religion

8. Science and Technology
TREND  Make science applicable to life
Radar for national defense, electronic computers, Manhattan Project
Space Race captured imagination of the world
Brain Drain – many of Europe’s best minds came to America

9. Changes in Class Structure
Middle class dominates due to access to higher education…society was being “leveled”
Welfare state allowed for all people to have same opportunities from government
Allowed for more disposable income
Consumerism led to higher standard of living
Gadget Revolution

10. Youth Movement & Counterculture
General rebellion against parents, authority figures, and the status quo in the late 1960s
Student Revolts
Causes
Opposition to wars
Influence of Marxist thinking
Rejection of materialism
Problems in higher education

11. French Student Revolts, 1968
Students took over university, taking violent means if necessary
Seeking better conditions for students
Students call for general strike from industrial workers
De Gaulle sends in troops to stop students and gives better wages to industrial workers

12. Women! Post World War II Trends Women began to marry earlier
Sharp increase in women working for wages outside home
Decline in overall birthrate

13. Women’s Rights Movement
Simone de Beauvoir (The Second Sex, 1949)
Women have been trapped by men and must act to escape the role as “other”
Betty Friedan (The Feminine Mystique, 1963)
Women have to conform to “wife and mother” role
Goals of Movement
New statutes in the workplace
Rights to divorce and abortion
Physical protections

14. Religious Changes Second Vatican Council (Vatican II, 1962-1965)
Allows for use of vernacular in Catholic mass
Ideological Changes
Other Christian groups should be respected
Relaxed dress
Acquittal of Jews in Jesus’ death
Religion today – extremely secular
2005  only 21% of Europeans see religion as “very important”
Only 15% attend church regularly (44% of Americans)