History of Europe

How did European countries attempt to use their colonies for postwar reconsturcvtion?

France:

* Borrowed money from the colonies: France borrowed heavily from its colonies, especially from Indochina, to finance reconstruction.

* Used colonial labor: French colonial subjects were used as forced labor to rebuild France after the war.

* Exported raw materials: France exported raw materials from its colonies to pay for reconstruction goods.

Britain:

* Used colonial labor: British colonial subjects were used as forced labor to rebuild Britain after the war.

* Exported raw materials: Britain exported raw materials from its colonies to pay for reconstruction goods.

Belgium:

* Used colonial labor: Belgian colonial subjects were used as forced labor to rebuild Belgium after the war.

* Exported raw materials: Belgium exported raw materials from its colonies to pay for reconstruction goods.

The Netherlands:

* Used colonial labor: Dutch colonial subjects were used as forced labor to rebuild the Netherlands after the war.

* Exported raw materials: The Netherlands exported raw materials from its colonies to pay for reconstruction goods.

Italy:

* Used colonial labor: Italian colonial subjects were used as forced labor to rebuild Italy after the war.

* Exported raw materials: Italy exported raw materials from its colonies to pay for reconstruction goods.