1. The Effects of World War II and the foundations of the COLD WAR

2. Fought on 3 continents and majority of world’s oceans
WW II was global
Fought on 3 continents and majority of world’s oceans

3. Weapons of War Both sides pursued a policy of unconditional surrender
30-40 million civilian and military casualties
Ratio of Soldier to Civilian casualties rate was 19-1 in WWI. In WWII the ratio became closer to 1-1
Both sides pursued the development of nuclear and atomic weapons

4. Cost of World War II Direct War Costs Killed/Missing Civilians Killed
USA
288 billion
292,000
4 (give or take a few) GB
117 billion
271,000
60,000
France
112 billion
205,000
173,000
USSR
93 billion
13.6 million
7.7 million
Germany
212 billion
3.3 million
2.8 million
Japan
41 billion
1.2 million
1 million

5. Atomic Bombs
US drops two atomic weapons on Japan to bring a quick ending to WWII and defeat Japan without the help of USSR.
Hard to calculate impact due to multiple generations being affected

6. Destroyed the infrastructure of Europe
Transportation networks and farm lands ruined in theaters of conflict
1.5 trillion dollars in 1945 was est. total cost due in large part to “total war” policy.
US and USSR will take lead roles in rebuilding war torn lands

7. Holocaust
Nazi officials will be tried for war crimes at Nuremberg trials
Only after the camps were discovered by US marines were the true horrors of the camps understood
10 million Jews and other minorities are killed.

8. Shift towards a bipolar world
US and USSR become lone super powers
Marks beginning of the Cold War
Results in division of Europe between east and west.
NATO and Warsaw Pacts
Communism vs Capitalism
Shift towards a bipolar world

9. US Finances the rebuilding of western Europe and Japan
Women in the work force plants the seeds of the feminist movement.
Lack of consumer goods and higher income during the war, lead to a booming economy in the 1950’s

10. USSR
USSR is in much worse shape because of state controlled economy and war primarily fought on their soil.
Destroyed much of own land due to scorched earth policy of Stalin vs. Hitler