GENEROSITY OF AMERICANS AFTER WWII

Millions of Americans were driven by compassion and were instrumental in the welfare of European countries post-World War II. Americans opened their wallets to purchaser $10 CARE packages of food to be sent to impoverished and hungry to people across Europe. In today's terms that would be $130. Hundreds of millions were sent to Europe. Some families had perhaps a loaf of bread to eat for a week. Therefore, those food packages were a godsend.

It was said a German family was in dire need for food when they received their first food package. They were reluctant to open the package because they considered us as their enemy. Eventually hunger compelled the family to open the package much to their elation. It was like Christmas to them, and they would not live in hunger.

Systems were in place for families to get the packages on a regular basis. Children received smaller care packages of food on a regular basis at schools. Sometimes girls would get a doll in their package. I can't imagine the goodwill we created. It speaks volumes of Americans after WWII.

These are some of the items in that constituted the care packages.

one pound (450 g) of beef in broth
one pound (450 g) of steak and kidneys
8 ounces (230 g) of liver loaf
8 ounces (230 g) of corned beef
12 ounces (340 g) of luncheon loaf (like Spam)
8 ounces (230 g) of bacon
two pounds (910 g) of margarine
one pound (450 g) of lard
one pound (450 g) of fruit preserves
one pound (450 g) of honey
one pound (450 g) of raisins
one pound (450 g) of chocolate
two pounds (910 g) of sugar
8 ounces (230 g) of powdered eggs
two pounds (910 g) of whole-milk powder
two pounds (910 g) of coffee

Care Package

It shows what compassion does after a war versus punishment (see post WWI vs post WWII). In the early 90's my wife and I went with a German Aggie friend of ours to Berlin and stayed with his Aunt. She lived in West Berlin during the cold war and was a young teen during the Berlin airlift. We've never been treated so well. Every morning, noon, and night she would hug and thank us as Americans, fed us magnificent meals, and showed so much gratitude. She just remembered that the Americans stopped her from going to bed at night hungry and scared.

Equal measures generosity and enlightened self-interest.

With a second world war arising from the poverty following the first one, we were smart enough to invest in Europe to preempt a third one.

I wonder if cbr will jump in here and post about how the US military/political leaders made a concerted effort to starve the German people after WW2 and millions died.

Aggie1205 said:

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I wonder if cbr will jump in here and post about how the US military/political leaders made a concerted effort to starve the German people after WW2 and millions died.

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And don't forget all the other atrocities (and worse than the Soviets) our soldiers committed.