End of WWII and the Origins of the Cold War
Economic Gains and Labor Unemployment – rates fell Average weekly pay increased Farmers = better weather, improved equipment
Women During the War Enjoyed new jobs, lost them when war ended Women received better pay Different and better job opportunities
Many people moved to the job areas California became a major destination (more than 1 million people in 4 years) Pittsburgh and the Mid-Atlantic had the high growth Pittsburgh = 30% of the US’s steel Population Shifts
Family Life Single mothers increased Women had to work to support the children Many couples married Teenagers left home
Minorities after the War Many faced racism at home and during war Migrated to new areas = same problems
Minorities after the War Japanese internment camp People forced to live in segregated areas Fear of Japanese terror spread rapidly JACL – Japanese American Citizens League
Yalta Conference Germany split into 4 pieces (Britain, France, USSR, and US) Poland’s boundaries are redrawn, and eastern areas are taken by the USSR Agreement on the formation of the United Nations
Potsdam Conference
Stalin breaks promise of free elections in Poland and Eastern Europe Truman wants to spread democracy throughout the world US wanted trade with Eastern Europe The Soviet Union had taken control of Eastern Europe and put communist governments in place Potsdam Conference
Soviet Union become one of the strongest nations in the world – dominated eastern Europe and communism spread Britain and France lose colonies in Asia and Africa Axis powers stripped of all land seized Japan occupied by the US until 1952 Lasting Effects of WWII
Democratization – MacArthur Constitution Gave power to the people Gave women more rights Outlawed “official” religion Disarmament – outlawed a standing army Economical Stability – encouraged trade and helped agriculture Education Reform – traditional American systems Japanese Occupation - Outcomes
Trial of War Criminals – the guilty were sentenced to death Rape – soldiers occupying raped Japanese women Censorship – nothing negative about the US printed Industrial centers were closed Cultural Shock – Japanese don’t know how to react Japanese Occupation - Negatives
Soviet UnionUnited States - Driven by security concerns - Wanted a “buffer zone” of other communist countries -Claimed eastern Europe as a sphere of influence -20 million citizens died approx. 7 million soldiers - Land and economy in shambles - Wanted eastern Europe to choose their own govt. - Believed they would choose democracy - 290,000 soldiers died in WWII - Economy is great, no battle damage
Nuclear Arms Stalin speech - capitalism makes war inevitable George Kennan sent the “long telegram” Stated communism must be contained Iran - remained occupied by Soviets
UN Atomic Energy Commission Baruch Plan - US would keep nuclear weapons...no one else can make bombs Soviets saw this as an unfair plan, refused to agree or discuss terms until US destroyed their atomic weapons
Trouble in Greece Communists from Yugoslavia aided communists in Greece Truman Doctrine - US will help people resisting oppression Sent aid and weapons to Greece, communists stopped CIA and National Security Council created
Aiding War torn Nations Marshall Plan - provided aid and helped rebuild European nations Tried to stop communism Molitov Plan - response to Marshall Plan