Economic History

1. Mid to Late 20th Century Economic Developments
   1. Post-War Recovery and Growth
      1. The Marshall Plan
         1. Objectives and scope of the Marshall Plan
         2. Economic aid to Western European countries
         3. Impacts on industrial recovery and infrastructure rebuilding
         4. Political and diplomatic consequences
      2. The Economic Boom in Western Countries
         1. Growth of consumer economies
         2. Expansion of the middle class
         3. Rise of multinational corporations
         4. Developments in automobile, electronics, and housing industries
         5. Influence of technological advancements on productivity
   2. The Rise of Welfare States
      1. Keynesian Economics and Policy Making
         1. Adoption of Keynesian principles post-World War II
         2. Government intervention in economic stability
         3. Use of fiscal policies to manage economic cycles
      2. Social Safety Nets and Regulatory Frameworks
         1. Implementation of public health systems
         2. Expansion of pensions and unemployment insurance
         3. Labor laws and workers' rights initiatives
         4. Establishment of educational reforms and public services
   3. The Cold War and Economic Strategies
      1. Command Versus Market Economies
         1. Economic models in the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc
         2. Market economies of the United States and Western Europe
         3. Comparative analysis of economic efficiency and productivity
         4. Military-industrial complexes and their economic roles
      2. Economic Impacts of Decolonization
         1. Transition to independent economies in Africa and Asia
         2. Challenges of building industrial economies
         3. Influence of Cold War superpowers on new nations
         4. Trade relations and economic alliances
   4. OPEC and Energy Crises
      1. 1970s Oil Embargoes
         1. Causes and geopolitical context of oil embargoes
         2. Impacts on global inflation and recession
         3. Shifts in energy policies and conservation measures
      2. Global Economic Responses and Shifts
         1. Formation of energy policies and diversification
         2. Development of alternative energy sources
         3. Long-term economic impacts on import and export markets
         4. Changes in industrial sectors reliant on energy supplies