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The End of World War II: Impact on World Affairs How did post-war conferences change the U.S.’s role in “policing the world”? In what ways did the use.

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Presentation on theme: "The End of World War II: Impact on World Affairs How did post-war conferences change the U.S.’s role in “policing the world”? In what ways did the use."— Presentation transcript:

1 The End of World War II: Impact on World Affairs How did post-war conferences change the U.S.’s role in “policing the world”? In what ways did the use of the Atomic Bomb change diplomacy? What characteristics define a “cold war” and does this accurately describe the early years 1945-1950?

2 Europe: 1943 Things looked bleak for most of “Allied” Europe; Germany had taken over most of the continent Things looked bleak for most of “Allied” Europe; Germany had taken over most of the continent Active resistance to Nazi control The Soviet Union, Japan, and Italy had allied with Germany to form the “Axis Powers” The Soviet Union, Japan, and Italy had allied with Germany to form the “Axis Powers” Hoped to achieve new imperialist aims Soviet Union would later join Allied Powers after failure to work with Germany’s demands, war aims

3 U.S. Involvement Europeans, involved in the war since 1939, had forces revitalized by U.S. troops; one factor in the Allied victory Europeans, involved in the war since 1939, had forces revitalized by U.S. troops; one factor in the Allied victory This was also true of the campaign in the Pacific against the Japanese forces This was also true of the campaign in the Pacific against the Japanese forces

4 Political negotiations By 1943, The Big 3, Franklin D. Roosevelt (U.S.A.), Winston Churchill (Great Britain) and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union) will form a union and fight together to defeat the Axis Powers. By 1943, The Big 3, Franklin D. Roosevelt (U.S.A.), Winston Churchill (Great Britain) and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union) will form a union and fight together to defeat the Axis Powers. LOOK AT HANDOUT OF CONFERENCES. LOOK AT HANDOUT OF CONFERENCES.

5 End of WWII: Europe The Soviets were the first to discover the Nazi “death camps” and reveal the atrocities of Hitler’s “Final Solution” (the Holocaust) The Soviets were the first to discover the Nazi “death camps” and reveal the atrocities of Hitler’s “Final Solution” (the Holocaust) April 30, 1945: Adolf Hitler committed suicide in a bunker during the Battle of Berlin. April 30, 1945: Adolf Hitler committed suicide in a bunker during the Battle of Berlin.  V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day) was May 7/8, 1945. These are the two days that the unconditional surrender of the Axis Powers in Europe were accepted and signed.  The War in Europe was officially over.

6 End of WWII: V-E Day

7 End of WWII: Pacific Front During the war, US spies uncover intelligence that Germany is building an atomic weapon During the war, US spies uncover intelligence that Germany is building an atomic weapon Race between Axis and Allied powers to create (and use?) the first “A” Bomb US covert project named Manhattan Project after the first meeting place of the scientists Trials carried out in New Mexico After V-E Day, significant debate over whether to use bomb as a show of force to end the war with Japan After V-E Day, significant debate over whether to use bomb as a show of force to end the war with Japan

8 End of WWII: Nuclear War In order to bring the war to an end quickly, new President Harry S. Truman decided that a show of extreme force would end the fighting. In order to bring the war to an end quickly, new President Harry S. Truman decided that a show of extreme force would end the fighting. Estimates predicted a loss of over 1 million if fighting continued.Estimates predicted a loss of over 1 million if fighting continued. On August 6, 1945, a B-52 fortress bomber, the Enola Gay dropped the A-bomb nicknamed “Little Boy” on Hiroshima On August 6, 1945, a B-52 fortress bomber, the Enola Gay dropped the A-bomb nicknamed “Little Boy” on Hiroshima Japan offered an ultimatum: unconditional surrender or a second nuclear attack.Japan offered an ultimatum: unconditional surrender or a second nuclear attack. August 9, 1945: second nuclear bomb called “Fat Man” was dropped on Nagasaki. August 9, 1945: second nuclear bomb called “Fat Man” was dropped on Nagasaki. Mass devastation led to surrender and on August 15, 1945, Japan signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, ending the war. (aka V-J Day) Mass devastation led to surrender and on August 15, 1945, Japan signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, ending the war. (aka V-J Day)

9 Hiroshima devastation

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11 Nagasaki devastation

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13 End of WWII: The Rise of Superpowers At the end of the war, two clear “superpowers” emerge: the U.S. and the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.). At the end of the war, two clear “superpowers” emerge: the U.S. and the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.). Superpower—country that has the highest level of political influence and military powerSuperpower—country that has the highest level of political influence and military power Despite their alliance during WWII, the US and the Soviets become enemies after the war, largely over the issue of atomic energy and the challenge of communism vs. democracy Despite their alliance during WWII, the US and the Soviets become enemies after the war, largely over the issue of atomic energy and the challenge of communism vs. democracy

14 Yalta, 1945:A Divided Germany At the end of the war it was difficult to decide what to do with Germany: At the end of the war it was difficult to decide what to do with Germany: Accused of starting two world warsAccused of starting two world wars Britain and France feared future invasionsBritain and France feared future invasions Economic devastation of EuropeEconomic devastation of Europe The (controversial) solution: divide Germany The (controversial) solution: divide Germany Eastern (Communist) and Western (Democratic) Germany, divided by a military zoneEastern (Communist) and Western (Democratic) Germany, divided by a military zone Specifics were hammered out the following year at the Potsdam ConferenceSpecifics were hammered out the following year at the Potsdam Conference

15 Potsdam Conference, 1946 The Soviets lost millions of troops in the war and wanted power in the war’s outcome. The Soviets lost millions of troops in the war and wanted power in the war’s outcome. U.S. feared the spread of communism in Asia U.S. feared the spread of communism in Asia Britain and France wanted a say, but were busy rebuilding themselves Britain and France wanted a say, but were busy rebuilding themselves Decision to divide Germany into parts governed by major powers Decision to divide Germany into parts governed by major powers

16 End of WWII: East & West Berlin The capital of Germany was Berlin, and once they divided the nation, it fell on the Soviet controlled East Germany side. The capital of Germany was Berlin, and once they divided the nation, it fell on the Soviet controlled East Germany side. As a compromise, the city of Berlin was divided into East and West Berlin. As a compromise, the city of Berlin was divided into East and West Berlin. Berlin Wall, however, was not constructed until 1961 Berlin Wall, however, was not constructed until 1961

17 Cold War: Politics Communism is an economic system and form of government in which the government makes all of the decisions as to what will be produced, how it will be produced, and for whom it will be produced. Communism is an economic system and form of government in which the government makes all of the decisions as to what will be produced, how it will be produced, and for whom it will be produced. Capitalism is an economic system in which individuals decide what to produce, how to produce, and for whom to produce. Capitalism is an economic system in which individuals decide what to produce, how to produce, and for whom to produce. Democracy is a form of government in which the people control the government by voting. Democracy is a form of government in which the people control the government by voting.

18 Cold War: Politics West Germany developed a capitalist economy, democratic government modeled after the US West Germany developed a capitalist economy, democratic government modeled after the US East Germany developed a communist economy and government modeled after the U.S.S.R. East Germany developed a communist economy and government modeled after the U.S.S.R. Not allowed to leave borders of Soviet- controlled Berlin into the WestNot allowed to leave borders of Soviet- controlled Berlin into the West

19 Beginnings of the “Cold War” Debate over Germany is the first of many problems between the Soviets and US Debate over Germany is the first of many problems between the Soviets and US Following the war, the Soviets also developed an atomic bomb—US and USSR in a race to control nuclear power Following the war, the Soviets also developed an atomic bomb—US and USSR in a race to control nuclear power The Cold War was a time (1945-1991) when non-cooperation between the US and Soviet Union caused a fear of communism and nuclear war (“mutual destruction”) The Cold War was a time (1945-1991) when non-cooperation between the US and Soviet Union caused a fear of communism and nuclear war (“mutual destruction”) As opposed to a “hot” war or active fighting, this was mainly based on threats and fear

20 Cold War: The World Takes Sides

21 The Berlin Airlift In June 1948, the Soviets decided to seal all land routes into West Berlin; Stalin believed the Western powers were not willing to risk war Truman was faced with tough choices: Giving up Berlin would compromise containment policy Negotiations might suggest that the USSR could engineer a crisis to gain power and question American commitment Truman: “We are going to stay, period.” US and Britain began moving massive amounts of food and supplies into West Berlin by air One supply plane landed in Berlin at the every 3 minutes, saving the city American planes flew over 4,000 tons of supplies daily in "Operation Vittles” Soviets end blockade in May, 1949

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23 With the two superpowers clearly at odds, the rest of the world felt pressure to take sides With the two superpowers clearly at odds, the rest of the world felt pressure to take sides Despite issues with alliances and militarism during both world wars…Despite issues with alliances and militarism during both world wars… Clear division between “democratic” and “communist” nations Clear division between “democratic” and “communist” nations Formation of political (and economic) alliancesFormation of political (and economic) alliances North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) April 1949 “collective security”– if any one of the member states were attacked, all would retaliate together“collective security”– if any one of the member states were attacked, all would retaliate together US, Britain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, PortugalUS, Britain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Portugal Warsaw Pact Warsaw Pact May 1955 Also based on collective security measures

24 Cold War: The Berlin Wall The Berlin Wall became the symbol for the “Iron Curtain” The Berlin Wall became the symbol for the “Iron Curtain” The “Iron Curtain” is the term for the imaginary border between the communist nations and the members of NATO. The “Iron Curtain” is the term for the imaginary border between the communist nations and the members of NATO. British cartoonist Illingworth was published in the Daily Mail on 6 March 1946

25 Cold War: “Proxy Wars” During the Cold War the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. never technically fought each other; however, there were several “almost” events between the two: During the Cold War the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. never technically fought each other; however, there were several “almost” events between the two: 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis1962 Cuban Missile Crisis “proxy wars” in the Middle East; proxy war--war instigated by a major power which does not itself become involved“proxy wars” in the Middle East; proxy war--war instigated by a major power which does not itself become involved These “proxy wars” are the reason nations like Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan have the military training and technology that they do today These “proxy wars” are the reason nations like Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan have the military training and technology that they do today

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27 sources http://www.ushistory.org/us/52d.asp http://www.ushistory.org/us/52d.asp http://www.ushistory.org/us/52d.asp Susan Pojer’s US History PowerPoint Palooza Susan Pojer’s US History PowerPoint Palooza


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