Between 1950 and 1970, world trade grew at over 8 per cent annually and per-capita incomes rose sharply in most industrial countries. Yet this prosperity was uneven. Analyse how developing countries were both contributing to and being shaped by the post-war economic boom. Why did many newly independent nations prioritise importing industrial plant and equipment during this period, and what risks did this strategy carry for their long-term economic development?
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 15:02 · grounding rag
Model Answer
During 1950–1970, developing countries contributed to the post-war boom by importing industrial plant and equipment featuring modern technology, boosting global trade volumes. They were simultaneously shaped by this boom, as their growth depended on Western industrial systems and technology.
Newly independent nations prioritised importing industrial machinery to catch up with advanced industrial countries rapidly, aiming for faster economic modernisation.
Risks: This strategy created heavy dependence on foreign technology and capital, potentially leading to large external debts and vulnerability — similar to how Britain's wartime borrowing left it burdened with debt, hampering long-term economic independence and self-reliance.
Source: Chapter 3, Section 4.2 – The Early Post-war Years
---
Explanation
- The examiner expects you to use both passage ideas: developing nations importing machinery (4.2) AND the debt/dependence risk (linked to 3.2's lesson about borrowed capital).
- Three marks = three clear points: (1) contribution to boom, (2) reason for strategy, (3) risk. Aim for one crisp sentence each.
- Don't over-elaborate; the word "catch up" from the passage is a good anchor phrase to use directly.
- The risk of external debt and dependence is the key evaluative point examiners reward.