Post War Europe and Japan

World War II Costs COUNTRYFINANCIAL COST MILITARY DEATHS CIVILIAN DEATHS DEATH AS PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION China ,500, million France$111 billion 217,600350, Germany$272 billion 5,500, million9 Italy$94 billion 301,400155, Japan$56 billion 2,120,000750,0004 Korea ,0002 Poland ,0005,400, Soviet Union$192 billion 9,000,00013,000, United Kingdom $120 billion 383,80067, United States$341 billion 416,8001, Which country lost the smallest percentage of its population? Explain why that might be. 2.What accounts for the high disproportionate amount of civilian deaths in Poland compared to military deaths? 3. In your opinion,which country sacrificed the most in World War II? Explain.

Politics in Postwar Europe Citizens feel shame and disgust in Italy, Germany and France –Mussolini leads Italy to defeat –Hitler brings destruction to Germany and historical guilt to country –Pétain and Vichy France collaborates with Nazi Germany Communist Party in Europe gains popularity Why would the Communist party appeal to Europeans after World War II (HINTS: 1. What did communist ideology say? 2. Which nation sacrificed the most men to defeat Hitler?) 1.People disgusted with “the state”; communism promises a “withering away of the state” 2.People’s lives have been destroyed by war; communism promises economic equality 3.Communist Soviet Union sacrificed greatly to defeat Nazism –Communist popularity declines as economies improve Nuremberg Trials - Nazi leaders charged and hung for “crimes against humanity”

Postwar Japan Virtually every major and mid sized city destroyed by fire bombing Occupation of Japan –General MacArthur tries to ensure Japan can’t make war again Demilitarization - disbanding of the armed forces Democratization –Japan becomes constitutional monarchy –Empire renounces divinity –“peace constitution” written by America - –Article 9 outlaws right to go to war, no military with offensive abilities Japan becomes quick American ally –Occupation ends in 1951 –United States continues military presence Fear of Communist Soviet Union, China and North Korea Yokohama58% Tokyo51% Toyama99% Osaka35% Nagoya40% Wakayama50% Kobe55% Okayama69% Takamatsu68% Nara69% Kofu79% Gifu64%