The Post WWII World

1. The Post WWII World

2. The Costs of WWII 50-70 million dead worldwide; 400,000 American deaths An estimated $ 1 trillion dollars = financial cost of WWII ($341 billion spent by U.S.) Russia/Soviet Union suffered more losses than all other nations combined (28 million deaths). Continued to be united by Joseph Stalin under communist rule. Much of Europe and Japan lay in ruins and were occupied temporarily by Allied nations in order to be rebuilt. 5 billion cubic yards of rubble lay in Germany alone. France, Germany, and Japan were no longer great military powers The United States and Soviet Union had become two competing world powers Democracy vs. Communism

3. Potsdam Conference (1945) • Just before the end of WWII, President Truman had met with Joseph Stalin (USSR) and Winston Churchill (Great Britain) to discuss what to do with a defeated Germany. • It was decided that the German economy must recover or else total devastation would remain across Europe. • Truman was afraid of Communism spreading across Europe under Stalin’s influence. • Germany was divided into four temporary zones of occupation administered by the United States, USSR, Britain, and France until Germany was rebuilt.

4. Potsdam Conference (1945) • Joseph Stalin wanted revenge on Germany and demanded severe reparations. Churchill and Truman cautioned that it was dangerous to punish Germany too heavily like had been done with the Treaty of Versailles. • Truman offered Stalin a deal where he could get some reparations, but he would have to donate food and supplies to the German people. • Truman learned of the successful test of the atomic bomb (Trinity Test) and told Stalin about it. • Stalin felt threatened/bullied into accepting the deal. • Created tension between USA and USSR that would lead to the Cold War.

5. Rebuilding of Japan • All major cities (except Kyoto) in Japan were devastated with food shortages lasting years after the war. • The United States temporarily occupied Japan until 1952 to oversee recovery efforts and the writing of a new Japanese constitution. • Japanese Emperor Hirohito lost all political and military power but remained a symbol of the country. • The right to vote given to all Japanese citizens • Human rights were guaranteed to all citizens in the new constitution. • No offensive army or warfare was allowed under the constitution. • War crimes trials were held, with hundreds executed, for war crimes against Chinese citizens and others (Rape of Nanking).

6. The Marshall Plan • After WWII, Europe was facing major economic problems. • Plan to rebuild Europe (1947) • Restore a working economy to fight against hunger and poverty, remove trade restrictions, and modernize industry. • Aide was also offered to the Soviet Union, however it refused help and prevented its Eastern European satellite nations from accepting aide as well. • U.S. contributed $13 billion in aide under the plan. • Plan was named for U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall who crafted it.

7. Berlin Crisis/ Rebuilding of Germany • Truman believed that if Germany was restored, the rest of Europe would be strengthened. • As determined at the Yalta Conference in 1945, Germany would be divided into zones of occupation administered by the Soviet Union, Britain, the United States, and France. • By 1948, the U.S. realized that the USSR was trying to sabotage the Marshall Plan in Germany and would “’rebuild” East Germany into a communist nation. • Germany was therefore separated into 2 countries when USSR cut off all ties to West Germany. • Truman sent supplies to Berlin, Germany in an event called the Berlin Airlift. • 80 tons of food carried into Berlin over 11 months sustained 2.5 million residents • One of the greatest aviation feats in history

8. Maps of Occupied Germany

9. Creation of the United Nations • World peace keeping organization that replaced the League of Nations, which failed after WWI because the United States did not join. • Purpose: “bring all nations of the world together to work for peace and development, based on the principles of justice, human dignity and the well-being of all people.” • The United Nations came into existence on Oct. 24, 1945, with 51 member countries and its headquarters in New York City. • One of its early, and most important, accomplishments was administering the Displaced Persons camps following WWII. • By 2007, the UN was made up of 192 countries who all agree to abide by its rules and support its goals.

11. Nuremberg Trials • An International Military Tribunal was set up by the U.S., USSR, Britain, and France to try former Nazis for war crimes committed during the war. • Twenty-four Nazis were accused and tried in Nuremberg for such things as crimes against peace, waging aggressive warfare, and crimes against humanity. • Further trials (Auschwitz trials, doctors trials) occurred later and have continued into modern times, with Nazi hunters still continuing their searches for former Nazi officials. • These trials established the fact that, even in war, murder, rape, and unnecessary force are crimes.

12. Creation of Israel • UN recommends a new country (state) to be created near Palestine as a Jewish homeland. • Arab lands taken when new boundaries are drawn, leading to modern conflict and terrorism • Arab countries did not approve of the new nation and promised war. • State of Israel declared May 14, 1948 • David Ben-Gurion becomes Prime Minister • USA (Truman) immediately recognized Israel’s independence as a new nation. • US has traditionally been a strong supporter of Israel, angering many Islamic nations.

13. Israel was to be divided between Arabs (Muslims) and Israeli Jews according to map at left with the holy city of Jerusalem being administered by a neutral international commission. In spite of plan, the territories are disputed by both Arabs and Jews. 1967 – In the Six Day War, Israel seized the West Bank and Gaza Strip from Palestinians, causing ongoing violence between the groups. The West Bank and Gaza were occupied by Israel until 2005 when Israel gave up the Gaza Strip and the northern part of the West Bank to Palestinians. This continued division has led to discussion of a 2-state solution (a Jewish country and an Islamic country) which President Obama supported. President Trump supports Israel. Creation of Israel – UN Plan

14. NATO and the Warsaw Pact • North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) formed by treaty on April 4, 1949 • Alliance formed between the U.S., Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, The UK, and Greece. • Military alliance designed to prevent possible attacks by Communist nations. • Members agree to defend one another if attacked. • Warsaw Pact formed in response to NATO by eight Communist nations: Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the USSR. • Member nations agreed to defend each other if attacked. • In 1956, however, the USSR took military action against Hungary, one of its own member nations, killing thousands. • The break up of the Soviet Union (USSR) and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1991, greatly weakened the Pact.

15. NATO/Warsaw Pact • North Atlantic Treaty Organization • If one country is attacked, then the rest would provide assistance • West Germany allowed to join • Communist Countries (Eastern Europe) signed the Warsaw Pact in response to NATO

16. Instructions for Data Disk – O/L Directions: Create a FIVE-section data disk describing the conditions in countries following World War Two. The topics for each section of the disk and information needed for each topic are described below. Cover Disk Name Period # Your title ‘The Post – WWII World’ A picture representing the title – To the best of your ability try and make your cover artistic Topics for Each Section of Disk United Nations Marshall Plan Rebuilding of Germany/Berlin Crisis NATO Warsaw Pact Required Information for Each Topic Your definition/explanation of each item should have at least 3 important facts

17. Instructions for Data Disk - HON Directions: Create a ten-section data disk describing the conditions in countries following World War Two. The topics for each section of the disk and information needed for each topic are described below. Cover Disk Name Period # Your title ‘The Post – WWII World’ A picture representing the title – To the best of your ability try and make your cover artistic Topics for Each Section of Disk Costs of War Potsdam Conference United Nations Marshall Plan Rebuilding of Japan Rebuilding of Germany/Berlin Crisis Nuremburg Trials Creation of Israel NATO Warsaw Pact Required Information for Each Topic Your overview definition/explanation of each item should have at least an additional 2 important facts