World War II Aftermath

U.S.S.R -Invaded by Germany and its allies on June 22, 1941 -Suffers over 20 million military and civilian deaths Contributes greatest share of the fighting in the defeat of germany

Establishes communist governments in 8 countries in eastern Europe at the end of the war in 1945

United STATEs- most powerful nation on earth after defeat of Germany and japan in 1945

Atomic bombs dropped on Japan, August 6 and August 9, 1945 USA becomes world’s first- and at the time only- atomic power

Poland 6 million polish deaths in world war ii- 20% of the population, greater % than any country 3 million are jews, many die at death camps in Poland Polish soldiers fight for the allies from the first day of the war in Europe until the last At wars end, the USSR occupies Poland, installs a communist government, and moves its borders

Poland’s changing borders 1939 1945

Japan Japan attempts to create economic empire in the pacific and asia Reconquered by USA and its allies

August 1945 After atomic bomb raids, continued other bombings, and the entry of the ussr into the war- japan unconditionally surrenders

China Continues to fight war against japan with much usa aid, 1937-1945 Communists and nationalists reunite briefly against the common enemy China suffers over 15 million deaths in the war

Chinese civil war 1945-1949 communists win and drive nationalists to island of Taiwan usa is considered by conservatives to have “lost china”

Germany- Conquers continental Europe from west to east- Defeated by combined allied effort by 1945 7 million military and civilian deaths

Germany defeated, may 1945 Hitler commits suicide Germany divided Ussr and usa troops meet in germany Germany divided

Italy Joins war in 1940- defeated by allies in Africa, europe and ussr 1943- Mussolini overthrown and rescued by germans who occupy Italy, Italy surrenders and joins allies

May 1945- Mussolini executed allies liberate Italy from germany

British empire Britain left alone to fight Germany in 1940 Bombed heavily but wins air “battle of Britain” Attacked by japan, December 1941

Atlantic charter and lend lease- grand alliance formed with USA -with usa defeats Germany and japan by 1945 with the Cost of war heavy, the british empire begins to dissolve at war’s end

France Defeated and occupied by Germany in 1940 Vichy france government collaborates with Germany Free French led by Charles de gaulle fight on

1944- 1945 France liberated by d day invasion Free French join in the defeat and occupation of GErmany