THE CONSEQUENCES OF WW2

HUMAN COST

40 millions dead in Europe Two-third were civilians One-fifith of Poland’s population died

20 million people displaced

ECONOMIC COST

WW1 fighting took place mostly on the Western Front while during WW2 entire Europe was involved.

Aerial bombing destroyed many cities Transport and communication disrupted Industry destroyed Farmland ruined Food production fell to half 150 million people dependent on relief food

distribution Britain was bankrupted Soviet economy badly effected-25 millions

homeless

POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES

Poland saw its border shifted westwards- lost 179,000 sq.km in the east and gained 104,000 sq.km from German territories

Yalta Conference- decided Poland’s boundaries

Germany to be dicided into four zones Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and

Czechoslovakia one party regime under Stalin’s control.

EFFECTS OF WAR ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Change in the balance of power. USSR and USA emerged as super powers

REASONSMILITARY

USA had acquired the largest air force in the world, 12 million men in the armed forces, more naval vessels and the atomic bomb

USSR had acquired the largest land army in the world to defeat Germany

France and Britain’s inability to defeat Germany placed them second in rank

USSR lacked strong military neighbours thus making it a regional power

REASONSECONOMIC

USA’s economy was strengthened by the war. It was able to out-produce all the other powers

USA was committed to more ‘open’ trade. Small Eastern European countries needed

support of a stronger neighbour which was provided by USSR

IMPACT OF THE SUPERPOWERS

The map of europe after 1945 was determined by the growing conflict between USSR and USA with a clear dicvide between Eastern and Western Europe

USA- end of isolationism, beginning of a dominant role in world affairs

Cold War

EASTERN EUROPE

1944-48 Stalin established control over Hungary, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, romania and Poland which involved

i. establishment of one-party rule ii. Nationalization of private enterprise Iii. Five- Year Plans- encouraged collective

farming

Each satellite state had to produce what USSR needed- eg Poland produced coal

The economic and political system was backed by:

Social and ideological controls eg. Cominform, secret police

Censorship of all media Suppression of religious freedom Military presence of soviet troops Political purges

WESTERN EUROPE

Followed democracy Commitment by USA- the Truman Doctrine,

Marshall Aid Establishment of NATO

IMPACT ON ASIA

China lost 12 million people Japan lost 2 million people

JAPAN

Eliminated as amajor power Occupied by the Americans under General

Douglas macArthur Japan was made a democracy Military and secret police forces were

dissolved The emperor remained to maintain political

stability

THE TREATY OF SAN FRANCISCO

Signed in 1951- japan to 1. renounce all claims to Taiwan, Sakhalin and

the Kuriles 2. hand over the Pacific Island of Micronesia

to UN 3. hand over the Ryuku and Bonin Islands to

USA 4. accepted the judgements of the

international military Tribunal for the Far East 4. Guidelines for reparation and compensation

to prisoners of war, renounced future military aggression, nullified prior treaties

A separate Treaty between Japan and USA- USA promised to defend Japan until it could

look after its own defense which meant that it had military bases in Japan

CHINA

Fighting continued between the nationalist forces of Jiang jieshi and the communist forces of Mao Zedong

Conflict led to the victory of Mao in 1949 and the establishment of a communist China

DECOLONISATION: THE DECLINE OF EUROPEAN INFLUENCE IN ASIA

Weakness of Britain and France found it increasingly difficult to hold on to their empires in Asia and Africa

Nationalist Movements grew USA and the UN condemned imperialism Indonesia got independence from Dutch,

Vietnam from the French, India, Burma and Ceylon from the british

USA and USSR sought to increase their sphere of influence in this area- Cold War

OTHER EFFECTS

War Tribunals established The united nations The Arms Race

ASSIGNMENT

What was the impact of World War II on the following:

The popularity and spread of communism? The defeated powers- Germany and Japan?

What was the impact of WWI and WWII on the roles and status of women?