what were the major reasons for the unprecendented economic boom of the post-world war two period?

Answer 1

All those markets needing everything from food to materials and no other competitors (they were all ruined), the right to direct the economies of those countries (for years Washington ordered the governments around), and the little known fact that all the money lent to those countries had to be reimbursed, and was. A win win scenario which allowed the US to become the biggest world power. They didn't make the same mistake as post WWI and allowed the money to flow around, which helped the countries neighbouring the USSR to rebuild themselves and become another wall instead of satellites countries to the USSR.
Also, the need to rebuild meant that everyone had jobs, more jobs than there were people, which meant allowing women to enter the workforce. Another source of revenues for the families and more money to spend, feeding the cycle.

Answer 2

A complex issue, but there are a few salient factors. First of all, much improved macro- economic and fiscal management by governments and systems of international settlements based on Keynsian economics. Secondly, much enlarged public sectors contributing to more stable effective demand and less volatile fluctations in public and private capital expenditures. Part of this is attributable to defence expenditures during the cold war. Thirdly, full employment especially in comparison with the 1920s-30s, providing and sustaining consumer and business confidence in continued expansion of the economy.

Answer 3

After WW II, Germany, France, Russia, Japan, Britian, were completely destroyed. Mass Destruction from bombings & loss of millions of lives left these countries in total desolute. It some 1/2 century to rebuild cities, economy, lives... America was just beginning upon an Industrial Age & had few losses (materially) in comparison to other countries. History is facinating...look it up! We may have profited from that war, but that was certainly the last one! From then on, we, as Americans, have not profited materially nor humanely at all. Does this make us losers?

Answer 4

Follow the money. Rebuilding countries destroyed by bombing and war, consumer goods, enhanced travel and transportation, expansion.