On 20 March 1974, Fritz Behrendt, a Dutch cartoonist originally from Berlin, takes an ironic look at the changing relations between Europe and the United States over the past 20 years. In 1954, the United States was the dominant force in relations with the countries of Europe, which listened attentively to the advice given by Uncle Sam, but the balance of power seems to have been reversed by 1974. The Europe of the Six has become larger; it has gradually unified, has a fast-developing common market and industrial sector, and is keen to affirm its independence from Uncle Sam. In the 1970s, many countries in the European Community (EC) challenge their interdependence with the United States in the economic, monetary, trade and energy fields.