Rebuilding Europe and Japan after WWII

Following World War II, much of Europe and Japan were in ruins. Fifty million people had lost their lives, mil-

lions were homeless, and seventy percent of the transportation and communication systems, industries, roads,

and buildings had been destroyed. As a new world superpower, the United States felt that it was in its best in-

terests to rebuild the war-torn areas in order to restore economic and political stability.

What condition were Europe and Japan in after World War II? 

What did the U.S. decide was in its best interests? 

In contrast to World War I, most of the victorious Allies of World War II did not ask for reparations, or payment

from the defeated nations. The United States realized that the huge war reparations demanded after World

War I had actually worsened the world-wide depression. Instead, the United States instituted the Marshall

Plan, which was named after President Truman’s secretary of state, General George C. Marshall. This plan

provided billions of dollars in financial aid to help rebuild European economies.

Who was the Marshal Plan named after? 

What did the Marshal Plan provide? 

The United States hoped that the Marshall Plan would also prevent the spread of communism. Commu-

nism is a system of government in which all land, industries, and businesses are owned by the government and

people have few rights.

What was the United States hoping the Marshall Plan would do? 

What is communism? 

Although the United States and the Soviet Union had been allies during the war, this alliance changed. The U.S.

grew concerned by the spread of Soviet influence and communism in post-war Europe. The U.S. strategy was

to use the financial aid offered through the Marshall Plan to create strong economic allies who would not be

tempted by communist propaganda. The United States did not want communism to spread as fascism had af-

ter World War I.

What was the United States concerned about? 

 

After World War II, the world had two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. In addition,

Europe was divided into two main areas of influence: those countries helped by the U.S. led Marshall Plan and

those that were under the control of the Soviet Union.

Who were the two superpowers after World War II? 

Countries under Soviet control were located in Eastern and Central Europe. They included Albania, Bulgaria, Po-

land, Hungary, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and the Baltic States.

Where were the countries under Soviet control located? 

“Free” or capitalist countries included Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Greece, Iceland, Italy,

Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey.

What were the countries of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the 

        Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey called? 

Germany was also divided. It was partitioned into East and West Germany. East Germany remained under

the domination of the Soviet Union and communism. West Germany, however, was occupied by the United

States, Great Britain, and France. It became a democratic nation governing itself within a few years.

What country was also divided? 

What were the two parts of Germany called? 

Who controlled East Germany? 

Who occupied West Germany? 

What kind of government did West Germany have? 

The United States also took a leading role in the rebuilding of Japan. At the end of World War II, Japan’s major

cities, industries, agriculture, and transportation systems were severely damaged. Beginning in 1945, Japan was

occupied by American forces, and the remains of its war machine were destroyed. A new constitution and a de-

mocratic form of government were adopted. It gradually resumed self-government and became a strong

ally of the United States.

Who took a leading role in rebuilding Japan? 

What kind of government was adopted? 

What did Japan gradually become? 

After World War II, the nations of the world once again wanted an organization that would help them safeguard

world peace and prevent future global wars. This time the United States agreed and the result was the

United Nations, or U.N. By joining the United Nations, the U.S. adopted a long-term foreign policy of inter-

nationalism.

What did the nations of the world want after World War II? 

Which nation agreed to join this time? 

What was this organization called? 

What did the United States adopt by joining the United Nations? 

 

1. ________ communism 6.________ democracy

2. ________ domination 7.________ instability

3. ________ Marshall Plan 8.________ occupation

4. ________ partitioned 9.________ self-government

5.  ________ superpower 10.________ United Nations 

1. ________ communism 6.________ democracy

2. ________ domination 7.________ instability

3. ________ Marshall Plan 8.________ occupation

4. ________ partitioned 9.________ self-government

5.  ________ superpower 10.________ United Nations 

a. the U.S. plan to help the nations of Europe rebuild after World War II by giving them billions of dollars in

aid

b. an international peacekeeping organization founded at the end of World War II

c. a political system in which the government owns the key parts of the economy, there is no private property

and there are few political rights

d. an extremely powerful nation with greater political, economic, and military power than most other nations

e. a political system based on the idea that the people rule and the principle of majority decision making

f. a situation of being erratic and unpredictable

g. the invasion and control of an area by enemy forces as a part of war or as a result of a victory in war

h. the ability or right of citizens to choose their own government rather than having it imposed from outside

i. control, power or authority over others

j.  having divided a country into two or more parts 

Terms – Rebuilding – USII 8a

 

Learning from its mistakes after World War I, the United States accepted its role as a world

____________________________; helped to ___________________________ Europe and Japan, and took

the leading role in establishing the ______________________.

Much of Europe was in ____________________ after World War II. Soviet forces occupied most of

__________________ and __________________ Europe and the __________________ portion of Germany.

The United States felt it was in its best interest to _______________________ Europe and prevent political

and economic ____________________________.

The U.S. plan to help Europe was called the ____________________________. It provided massive

____________________________ to rebuild European _______________________ and prevent the spread

of _________________________.

Germany was ____________________________ into East and West Germany. West Germany became

democratic and resumed _____________________________________ after a few years of American, British,

and French ____________________________. East Germany remained under the

____________________________ of the Soviet Union and did not adopt ____________________________

institutions.

Following its defeat Japan was also occupied by ____________________ forces. It adopted a

____________________________ form of government, resumed ____________________________, and be-

came a strong _____________________ of the United States.

Near the end of the war the ____________________________ was formed to create a body for the

nations of the world to try to prevent future global ____________________________.

American Axis ally central communism

Democratic domination east eastern economies

financial aid instability League of Nations west Marshall Plan

military aid occupation partitioned rebuild ruins

self-government superpower Truman Plan United Nations wars

The War’s Aftermath – USII 8a 

  NATO 

Warsaw Pact 

Berlin            *          

        

What country’s mili‐tary occupied Japan following World War 

II? 

  

        

  

What type of govern‐ment did Japan adopt after World War II? 

  

        

True or False, after be‐ing occupied for a few years after War II Ja‐pan resumed self gov‐

ernment? 

  

        

  

What country became a close ally of Japan after World War II? 

  

Post World War II Japan

Directions:  describe Japan during World War II on the left hand side of the table.  Use the pictures as a reference to help your descriptions.  On the right hand side of the table answer the questions about Japan after World War II in the blank boxes. 

 

 

Japan During World War II Japan After World war II

Marshall Plan and The United

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    THE MARSH

ALL PLAN   

                  TH

E UNITED

 NATIONS  

 1.  Democratic 

 2.  East Germany 

 3.  Private Ownership 

 4.  Freedom 

 5.  Warsaw Pact 

 6.  Capitalist 

 7.  West Berlin 

 8.  Government Ownership 

 9.  NATO 

 

10.  Dictatorial   

11.  West Germany   

12.  Communist   

13.  East Berlin   

14.  Control