Economic impact of WWIII in Europe after WWII

Periodically, topics asking what would happen to Europe in the event of a US/UK vs USSR in 45/46. Questions like who would win, what would the casualties be, ect...

If WWIII did happen in Europe after WWII, between the West and the USSR, what long term problems would this create for the global economy? How does the US handle the increased debt, how does Britain cope with it, Europe is completely destroyed how does it recover, ect...
 
Periodically, topics asking what would happen to Europe in the event of a US/UK vs USSR in 45/46. Questions like who would win, what would the casualties be, ect...

If WWIII did happen in Europe after WWII, between the West and the USSR, what long term problems would this create for the global economy? How does the US handle the increased debt, how does Britain cope with it, Europe is completely destroyed how does it recover, ect...

Do you mean an immediate WWIII, or a nuclear one?

Either way, there would be basically no functioning economy remaining for years afterward, but the nuclear one would be worse.
 
In general a complete bankruptcy of most of the Western Allies. The US will probably still come out on top economically but you won't have a booming 1950's with the hundreds of thousands extra dead soldiers not to mention the hundreds of millions more of debt. In Europe there would be literally no faith left in their economies.

You might also see a US completely disgusted with European foreign affairs. There would be no reason for the US to concern itself with Europe anymore if all they're going to do is break down into warring states every few years fighting the same centuries old territorial disputes.

Communism will be utterly destroyed as an ideology. You might even see a revival of the far-right in some nations. "We told you the communists were the real threat." This could be espicially true if they reequiped the German Heer and Waffen SS prisoners to help fight for the allies.

Look at Dropshot for an understanding of a potential WW3 by American planners in 1949: http://www.allworldwars.com/Dropshot - American Plan for War with the Soviet Union 1957.html

As well as this timeline about the general implications of a WW3(taking place in 1957 as envisioned by dropshot) http://changingthetimes.alternatehistory.com/samples/coldwar/world_war_iii_in_1957.htm
 
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