1950 Sundberg 'Sunday News' Map of the World Highlighting International Aid

This is a 1950 Edwin Sundberg map of the world highlighting U.S.-financed foreign aid in the wake of World War II. The map both lauds American generosity and suggests potential concerns that the funds might be misused or simply not paid back.

A Closer Look

Depicting the world on a Mercator projection, the United States appears near the center with a gigantic, star-spangled Uncle Sam dominating the country. Red arrows emanate from Uncle Sam, indicating an outflow of capital from the U.S. Lists of gifts and loans associated with specific countries appear throughout. Great Britain, the Soviet Union, France, Germany, and Italy received the most aid. Among these programs are Lend-Lease (by far the largest), the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA), the American Red Cross, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the Export-Import Bank.

Historical Context

After World War II, U.S. foreign aid played a crucial role in global recovery and the fight against the spread of communism. The most significant program was the Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Program, which provided over $12 billion (equivalent to more than $100 billion today) to Western European countries to rebuild their economies. This aid helped to stabilize the region, foster economic cooperation, and prevent the spread of Soviet influence. Additionally, the U.S. established other initiatives like the Truman Doctrine, which aimed to support countries resisting communism, and the creation of international institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to promote global economic stability and development. These efforts were pivotal in rebuilding war-torn nations, establishing strong political alliances, and setting the stage for long-term global economic growth.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn by Edwin L. Sundberg for the New York Sunday News and published on July 9, 1950. This is the only known cataloged example.