Europe and Japan in Ruins Chapter 32 - Section 5 Europe and Japan in Ruins World War II cost millions of human lives and billions of dollars in damages. It leaves Europe and Japan in ruins. NEXT

Europe and Japan in Ruins Devastation in Europe A Harvest of Destruction • Many cities across Europe badly damaged by war • Many people displaced by war and peace agreements Misery Continues After the War • Lack of food, destruction of roads, factories lead to hardship • Many people suffer from hunger, disease after war NEXT

Postwar Governments and Politics Need for New Leaders • Many conquered countries went back to old governments • New leaders needed in Germany, Italy, and France • Communist parties make gains in Italy, France by promising change • Communist interest fades as economies recover The Nuremberg Trials • Nuremberg Trials—trials of 22 Nazi leaders for war crimes • Some Nazi leaders are executed for their actions NEXT

The Nuremberg Trials While Europe rebuilt itself, the surviving 22 members of the Nazi leadership was put on trial by an international military tribunal for “crimes against humanity.” Hitler, Heinrich Himmler (architect of the Holocaust), and several others had already committed suicide and cheated the hangman.

The Nuremberg War Trials: Crimes Against Humanity

Occupied Japan 25 War criminals were tried, and six total were hanged for war crimes. Just as in Germany, however, many that were “important” were protected and employed by the Allies in such industries and biological and chemical warfare, rocket science, and other military pursuits. The Emperor was also protected by American leadership in the Tokyo War Crimes Trials.

Japanese War Crimes Trials Bio-Chemical Experiments General Hideki Tojo Bio-Chemical Experiments

Postwar Japan Serious Damage Occupied Japan • In war, Japan loses two million people; severe damage to many cities Occupied Japan • MacArthur takes charge of U.S. occupation of Japan • Starts process of demilitarization—disbanding Japan’s armed forces • Also launches democratization—creating democracy in Japan • Japanese people adopt new constitution in 1947 • MacArthur puts economic reforms in place NEXT

Occupation Brings Deep Changes Changing Japanese Society • Emperor kept on, but he loses power and becomes figurehead • Japanese people elect two-house legislature called the Diet Prime Minister is chosen by the Diet • Bill of rights guarantees freedoms; women also have right to vote • Constitution says Japan cannot attack another country • In 1951, peace treaty with Japan signed; U.S. occupation ends • U.S. and Japan become allies NEXT

Postwar Japan Much like Europe, Japan was in shambles as well, having been firebombed repeatedly, let alone the results of the two atomic bombs.

Occupied Japan MacArthur also focused on the democratization of Japan, and the traditional monarchy system was replaced with a constitutional monarchy like Great Britain. MacArthur also encouraged the sale of land held by nobles to the Japanese peasants to equalize the Japanese economy and promote individual growth.

Occupation Brings Deep Changes The greatest change to impact Japan was in regards to the Emperor himself. During WWII, he was God on earth, and over one million Japanese sacrificed their lives for his sake, as an honorable death for the emperor was a direct pass to heaven. Despite this fact, after WWII, Emperor Hirohito was no longer a divine (God- sent) ruler and his power was reduced sharply.

Occupation Brings Deep Changes In 1951, Japan was given back its independence, ending the occupation of American forces, and beginning a long military, economic, and social partnership with the US. Interestingly enough, Allies also became enemies soon after WWII as the competing ideologies of democracy and communism began to square off over who would dominate the postwar world.