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01-05-2005, 12:53 PM

These are just some random thoughts, but no US from say 1945?

Europe was a total mess, without American loans, it would have taken longer to rebuild, but may have retained more of its original character. Culturally things would have been very different, and without the post-war marketing influx from the US (advertising, music, film coca-cola etc) a more traditional lifestyle and set of values might be in evidence today.

The nations not totally exhausted from the conflict would have a greater influence on the reconstruction of Europe, and we might see Switzerland playing a more central role in world affairs today. Likewise, England, though short on manpower and finance would likely have an upper hand based on it's superior trade links outside of Europe. The formation of Israel would have looked a little different too, potentially settling in somewhere less contentious than it's current position. Compromises with the Arabs would have been reached earlier without the impetus provided by the US Jewish lobby. Britain might have closer ties (than the reasonably close ones it currently does) with the Middle East too - the Suez canal might have been held had it not been for the US's public nay-saying.

Educated Jews fleeing from Germany might have settled elsewhere, providing an influx of talent to that country - had this have happened in the UK, many of the technological leaps (Nuclear Power, Radio, Computing) of the post-war age might have been concentrated in one place, giving a different flavour to how they were distributed around the world.

The Empire was already on its way out at that point, but perhaps the organisation and role of the Commonwealth would have a higher status than it does today.

The USSR might have been a tamer beast, and would likely have formed closer and friendlier relations with Europe without the looming presence of the US (which, much like today with the 'Terrorists', talked up the Red Peril very much out of proportion) Japan might have been more isolated without the American presence there after the war, and might today be a less technologically advanced nation.

Thinking about this, after the war, with much of the World's nations on their knees exhausted after the conflict. Americas ability to provide finance and personnel in rebuilding and other similar capacities, had an unprecedented opportunity to introduce its culture, values, media and products to an otherwise stark world. Post-war, the Americans were in a very lucky position to be seen as knights in shining armour, and as such products and values of an American origin recieved a huge psychological boost over local ones.

I think the world today would be a lot less homogenous if that hadn't happened. Whether that is a good, or a bad thing is another matter.

01-05-2005, 12:53 PM	#22 (permalink)
zen_tom Guest	These are just some random thoughts, but no US from say 1945? Europe was a total mess, without American loans, it would have taken longer to rebuild, but may have retained more of its original character. Culturally things would have been very different, and without the post-war marketing influx from the US (advertising, music, film coca-cola etc) a more traditional lifestyle and set of values might be in evidence today. The nations not totally exhausted from the conflict would have a greater influence on the reconstruction of Europe, and we might see Switzerland playing a more central role in world affairs today. Likewise, England, though short on manpower and finance would likely have an upper hand based on it's superior trade links outside of Europe. The formation of Israel would have looked a little different too, potentially settling in somewhere less contentious than it's current position. Compromises with the Arabs would have been reached earlier without the impetus provided by the US Jewish lobby. Britain might have closer ties (than the reasonably close ones it currently does) with the Middle East too - the Suez canal might have been held had it not been for the US's public nay-saying. Educated Jews fleeing from Germany might have settled elsewhere, providing an influx of talent to that country - had this have happened in the UK, many of the technological leaps (Nuclear Power, Radio, Computing) of the post-war age might have been concentrated in one place, giving a different flavour to how they were distributed around the world. The Empire was already on its way out at that point, but perhaps the organisation and role of the Commonwealth would have a higher status than it does today. The USSR might have been a tamer beast, and would likely have formed closer and friendlier relations with Europe without the looming presence of the US (which, much like today with the 'Terrorists', talked up the Red Peril very much out of proportion) Japan might have been more isolated without the American presence there after the war, and might today be a less technologically advanced nation. Thinking about this, after the war, with much of the World's nations on their knees exhausted after the conflict. Americas ability to provide finance and personnel in rebuilding and other similar capacities, had an unprecedented opportunity to introduce its culture, values, media and products to an otherwise stark world. Post-war, the Americans were in a very lucky position to be seen as knights in shining armour, and as such products and values of an American origin recieved a huge psychological boost over local ones. I think the world today would be a lot less homogenous if that hadn't happened. Whether that is a good, or a bad thing is another matter.