Final answer:
Western Europe's postwar recovery was facilitated by the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, the Marshall Plan that provided significant US financial aid, and internal investments that spurred industrial growth, as well as regional cooperation seen in agreements like the Benelux Agreement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sources of postwar recovery and stability in western Europe can be attributed to a variety of factors, including economic cooperation, the Marshall Plan, and self-driven industrial growth. The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was established in 1951 with countries like West Germany, France, and Italy being key members, promoting economic integration and allowing free trade of coal and steel among them. This was critical for economic recovery and avoiding future conflicts.
Furthermore, the Marshall Plan, which injected $13 billion from the US into Europe's economy between 1948 and 1951, was vital to rebuilding infrastructure and restoring industrial capacities. It immensely helped Western European countries to overcome the massive devastation suffered during World War II. Also, countries like West Germany and Japan invested heavily in their economies, witnessing remarkable industrial growth in the 1950s and 60s, becoming economic leaders by 1970.
Finally, unification efforts, such as the Benelux Agreement between Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, exemplified regional cooperation and showed how integrated approaches could lead to faster and more effective economic recovery post-World War II.