LEGACY OF WWII

END OF THE WAR

War in Europe

ends May 8, 1945

War in the Pacific ends

September 2, 1945

OCCUPATION & REBUILDING

The United States occupied Japan for several

years following the end of WWII to help

recover Japan’s economy.

Most of Europe was destroyed by WWII and

the economies of European countries were

in need of help.

The U.S. would remain in Europe to help get

countries back on their feet.

MARSHALL PLAN

Secretary of State, George C. Marshall,

developed a plan to help Europe recover and

rebuild after the war. Over $13 billion was

given to the nations of Europe. Money was

especially given to nations that pledged to

reject communism.

George C. Marshall

AT HOME

After the soldiers returned from war, they and the

country faced several issues

Job availability and educational needs

Lack of housing

In 1944, President Roosevelt passed the G.I. Bill of

Rights, which provided money for education and other

living expenses for returning veterans

BOUNDARY CHANGES IN EUROPE

After the end of the war a conference was held in

Potsdam, Germany to set up peace treaties.

The countries that fought with Hitler lost territory and

had to pay reparations to the Allies.

Germany and its capital, Berlin, were divided into four

parts. The zones were to be controlled by Great

Britain, the United States, France and the Soviet Union.

RISE OF COMMUNISM

Many nations after the war were economically

in ruin, which led to social changes. As a result,

many countries turned to communism to repair

the damage done to their country during WWII.

Communism is an economic system where the

government controls all areas of the economy.

There is no private ownership.

Soviet Union Flag Chinese Flag

DEMOCRACY V. COMMUNISM

NATO WARSAW PACT

Military alliance

created by the United

States for countries in

Western Europe

Wanted to prevent

the spread of

communism

Soviet’s response to

NATO

Military alliance for

eight countries in

Eastern Europe

Served as a mutual

defense organization

UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations (UN) was an organization

of several countries. The member nations

would work together to solve their differences

and keep the peace.

UN Headquarters - NYCUN Flag

ATOMIC AGE

The Atomic Age began after the

atomic bombs were tested and

dropped in WWII and lasted throughout

the Cold War.

The United States and the Soviet Union were

competing with each other to be the most

powerful nations in the world. To do this, both

countries began stockpiling nuclear weapons

and competing with each other in technology.

THE “FINAL SOLUTION”

The Final Solution was the German’s attempt to cover

up war crimes of the Holocaust by eliminating the

Jewish people.

Jews and other people from select groups were

isolated and sent to concentration camps, were

starved, and most were executed.

The Final Solution was a regional genocide.

Killed about 6 million Jews, or 2/3 of Jews in

Europe

NUREMBURG TRIALS

After the Potsdam Conference, the Allies

decided to put German war criminals on trial at

Nuremburg, Germany.

The defendants included some of Hitler's top

officials. They were charged with crimes against

humanity for the Nazi’s murder of millions of

people in the Holocaust.

CREATION OF ISRAEL

In response to the Holocaust, the UN created

the state of Israel in 1948 as a homeland for

Jews in Palestine.

Many Arabs living in Palestine and other

neighboring Arab countries joined the

Palestinians in their opposition to Israel. This

led to a series of wars between Israel and

several Arab countries in the Middle East.