At the end of World War II, the United States became the true winner. Its territory was not touched by the war and its economy continued a remarkable expansionary rhythm, since its war industry became an industry of peace stimulated by the internal demand and by the order of merchandise destined to the Marshall Plan.
Thus, the United States became the richest state in the world, with 7% of the world population consuming 45% of its wealth.
In the war the United States not only developed its economic, military and nuclear power, but also accumulated symbolic and strategic power after proclaiming itself as a defender of democracy and freedom. The most important effect of this was that it managed to erect a consensus among the American population that was the effective and necessary social base of the new imperial and hegemonic power of the capitalist world.
