Understanding American Foreign Policy

Political Science 128: U.S. Foreign Policy

Mary Baldwin College, Staunton VA 24401

by Prof. Gordon L. Bowen, Ph.D.

email gbowen@mbc.edu

U.S. Economic Primacy, 1948-68


In 1948, the US produced:
 
42.9% of the world's coal production,

48.9% of the world's iron,

51% of the world's steel,

58% of the world's crude oil,

84% of the world's motor vehicles.
 

Our GNP was to that of the Soviets as 100 is to 30.
 


By 1968, world economic recovery led to decline in U.S. primacy:
 

24.9% of the world's coal production

13.5% Iron Ore production    

23.4% Crude Oil production    

40.6% Motor Vehicles Produced 
 
 


sources: United Nations Statistical Yearbook (NY: U.N. Statistical Office, 1958, 1969);  U.S. Foreign Policy Documents, 1963-1977, ed. Nicholas O. Berry (Brunswick, OH: King's Court Communications, Inc., 1977): 23.
 


return to PolS 128 supplements page

return to Prof. Bowen's main home page