Effects of the War

Yalta Conference - Feb, 1945 The Big Three FDR wants quick Soviet entry into Pacific war. FDR & Churchill decide Stalin needs buffer – FDR & Stalin want spheres of influence and a weak Germany Agreed that Poland, Bulgaria + Romania would hold free elections – Stalin would take this back eventually Churchill wants strong Germany as buffer against Stalin

Truman Faces Stalin at Potsdam July, 1945  Big Three meet again (Truman not FDR, Clement not Churchill) – While there Truman learns of the successful atom bomb test  briefly discuss when/how to use – They draw up plans to divide Germany after the war (4 parts, one for each of them and France) – Poland (borders) moved around to suit the Soviets

The Division of Germany:

A New World Takes Shape August 1945 – plans come into reality – Not exactly what Allies envisioned…

The World Map Changes The bi-polarization of Europe – West Germany and Europe (non-communist) – East Germany and Europe (communist) Japan  occupied by American troops and MacArthur who reworked their gov’t – Wrote up a constitution – Women’s suffrage – Abolished use of military except for defense – Reworked the economy for success

Imperialism Goes Into Decline The De-Colonization of Europe

The Balance of Power Shifts GB loses power U.S. and S.U. were most influential in defeating the Axis Powers – Left the war the strongest in the world – U.S. clearly strongest (industry, military, economy) BUT 2 world superpowers: (dual hegemony)

International Cooperation Americans knew of their new role in the world – Did not want to make the same mistakes from the end of WWI (not joining L.O.N.) Led to rise of fascism and Hitler’s power

A New World Economy Establishment of the IMF and World Bank – Back by U.S. money to operate – Both served to ensure global economic stability General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1948 – Expand world trade by reducing tariffs – (globalization effect on peace)

United Nations is Formed U.S. was the leader in created the United Nations

United Nations 5 main powers and the rest rotate – U.S., S.U., China, Great Britain, France Create the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – Condemned slavery, torture, upholds freedom of speech + religion – Affirms that everyone should have the right to a good standard of living, health, and well-being

War Criminals Go on Trial Axis Powers repeatedly violated the Geneva Convention: – Internat’l agreement governing the humane treatment of wounded soldiers and POWs Allies required that the Axis Powers stand trial for their war crimes – Japanese and Nazis specifically

Japanese War Crimes Trials General Hideki Tojo Bio-Chemical Experiments on humans

The Nuremberg War Trials: Crimes Against Humanity

Nuremberg Trials 22 Nazis tried for war crimes – Hermann Göering – leading Nazi 12 were sentenced to death others went to prison. Many others would be tried in different courts.

A New American Identity Americans became “global” thinkers during the war Knew they now had a global responsibility – What happens in the rest of the world DOES effect them. New commitment to civil rights Post war economy strong  gov’t involvement not going away