Final answer:
One reason for post-World War II economic growth in the United States was the country's advantageous economic position, with a surplus in the balance of trade and exports contributing to the growth. The growth benefited the middle class, who had access to well-paying jobs and increased purchasing power. The United States emerged from the war with a strong economy and military while Europe and Asia faced reconstruction.
Step-by-step explanation:
One reason for post-World War II economic growth in the United States was the country's advantageous economic position. After the war, the United States had a surplus in the balance of trade, with exports of military equipment and consumer goods contributing to the growth of the American economy. The US government took a leading role in creating the post-World War II international order, which aimed to maintain peace and economic prosperity in the world.
The economic growth also benefited the middle class, as they had ready access to well-paying industrial jobs. Consumers, who had been restrained from buying during the war due to rationing, were eager to use their savings to purchase new automobiles, televisions, household appliances, and homes. Many Americans also enjoyed steady employment with improved benefits and started sending their children to college in greater numbers, leading to increased access to higher education.
Furthermore, the United States emerged from the war with a strong economy and military, while Europe and Asia faced reconstruction. The US could focus its efforts on construction, and within a decade, the majority of Americans owned their own homes. The American dollar became the world's standard currency, and US companies spread globally. The falling value of the dollar made American goods seem affordable overseas, and the Marshall Plan helped foreign markets recover, further enabling the purchase of American-made goods.