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Identify and explain two key factors that allowed Europe to recover quickly after World War II.

User Yan Pak
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Final answer:

Europe's post-World War II recovery was accelerated by the Marshall Plan, which provided crucial financial aid, and the establishment of cooperative economic frameworks like the Benelux Agreement, which fostered regional collaboration.

Step-by-step explanation:

Two key factors that allowed Europe to recover quickly after World War II were the Marshall Plan and the establishment of cooperative economic frameworks, such as the Benelux Agreement. The Marshall Plan, officially called the European Recovery Program, was an American initiative to aid Western Europe, in which the United States gave over $12 billion (approximately $100 billion in 2016 dollars) in economic support to help rebuild Western European economies after the end of the war. This aid helped to rejuvenate economies, reduce trade barriers, modernize industry, and make Europe prosperous once more.

Another significant factor was the unification efforts in Europe, epitomized by the Benelux Agreement, signed by Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. This pact facilitated economic collaboration and laid the groundwork for further European integration, ultimately contributing to the formation of the European Union. These countries pooled their resources and industrial strengths, leading to a quicker and more efficient recovery than if they had attempted to rebuild in isolation.

User Wind
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