Post War Issues

1. Post War Issues MWH – Corning March 2010

2. General Overview • WWII involved the loss of millions of human lives and billions of dollars in damage. • 60 million dead – (20 million USSR) • $862 billion spent • The U.S. survived WWII undamaged and with a strong economy which allowed it to become a world power. • Whole societies destroyed (political/economic), people homeless, property heavily damaged.

3. Post-War Issues? (Brainstorming) • Who will run the gov’ts? Who is in charge? • How to rebuild economies and societies? • Rebuilding the infrastructure –what should be done first? How to pay for it? • How to avoid future wars? • The Jewish question – what to do with all the displaced people? • How to solve international problems in the future?

4. Post-War Europe • Cities damaged: only Paris, Rome and Brussels undamaged (why?) • London, Warsaw, Berlin • Displaced people – forced migrations, homeless, property ownership issues (see article) • Agriculture destroyed – famine and disease in cities • People look to government to solve these problems – but which government?

5. Post-War Europe - Politics • Some nations returned to pre-war governments (Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Norway). • Other countries did not want to return to previous gov’ts – Germany, France, Italy. • Increase in the popularity of Communism just after war but as economic conditions improve communism declines.

6. Post-War Europe - Responsibility • A major issue post-war was War Crimes. • 1946- an International Military Tribunal representing 23 nations put Nazi war criminals – Nuremberg Trials. • Nazi leaders were charged with waging a “war of aggression” and committing “crimes against humanity”. • Hitler, Himmler and Goebbels suicide before the trials • Goring, Hess and other Nazis went on trial • Question: what is the difference between an act of war and a war crime?

7. Post-War Plan • Yalta Conference – before end war – Feb 1945 • Churchill (Great Britain), Roosevelt (USA) and Stalin (USSR) met in USSR • Agreed to divide Germany into occupation zones controlled by Allied forces • Germany to compensate USSR • USSR promised free elections for Eastern Europeans • United Nations – 50 countries joined in forming the UN (including USA and USSR) June 1945 • Protect members against aggression, HQ in New York • General Assembly PLUS Security Council (5 permanent members: US, USSR, Britain, China and France plus 6 rotating members).

8. Eastern Europe / Iron Curtain • Soviet Union wanted to shield itself from another invasion from the West. • Used Eastern European nations as a divison between the West and USSR • Stalin ignored Yalta Agreement and installed/ supported Communist gov’ts in Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia • Postdam Conference – July 1945 U.S. Pres. Truman pushed for free elections in Eastern Europe – Stalin refused • 1946, Stalin declared “communism and capitalism cannot exist in the same world”. • Europe divided by the “Iron Curtain” – democratic Western Europe and communist Eastern Europe.

9. U.S. Tries to “Contain” USSR • The US pursued a foreign policy of “containment” – directed at blocking Soviet influence and stopping the expansion of communism. • Included forming alliances and helping weak countries resist Soviet advances. • “Truman Doctrine” – US support for countries that reject communism. • Opposition to US involvement in affairs of other nations AND the cost involved.

10. US Support • Marshall Plan (1947) – aid program to need European nations (food, machinery and other • materials). • Plan very successful • Berlin Airlift – in 1948 US/British/French forces withdrew from Germany, USSR held onto its zone and put West Berlin under a blockade (see pg. 535) • For 11 months US and British officials flew food and supplies into West Berlin, USSR eventually withdrew the blockade (May 1949).

11. Post-War Asia • Japan was left in ruins – millions killed, damage to cities, stripped of colonial empire, economic instability • Gen. Douglas MacArthur took charge of US occupation of Japan – he respected Japanese culture and wanted to be fair/not plant the seeds of a future war • Two key components of his plan: demilitarization and democratization

12. Occupation Plan • Demilitarization: disbanding the Japanese military, only a small police force remained • Democratization: the process of creating a government elected by the people • Feb 1946, creation of new constitution- constitutional monarchy (effective May 1947) • Emperor no longer divine, rather a symbol of Japan • Political power -> Diet, led by Prime Minister • Suffrage for women, bill of rights • Article 9 – Japan cannot declare war, only defensive actions • Economic reforms: broaden land ownership, increase democratic participation of workers and small farmers, independent labor unions.

13. Surprising Friends / Enemies • Sept 1951, Allies and Japan sign formal peace treaty • 1952 US occupation Japan ends, however US maintains military bases to protect Japan and American interests in Asia • Close political and economic ties • Germany allows US military bases as protection against USSR – close political and economic ties • Former allies – US and USSR – are now locked in a power struggle  Cold War