Immediately after world world two, the U.S. had arguably the largest percentage of world GDP of any political entity in world history. This occurred because th

Immediately after world world two, the U.S. had arguably the largest percentage of world GDP of any political entity in world history. This occurred because the entire industrial capacity, major cities, and young population of every other developed country had been devastated. Also, there was less stratification between the rich and the poor. These are the two basic factors people refer to when they see the 50's and 60's as a golden age.