Effects of WWII and Origins of the Cold War

Effects of WWII Use of atom bomb creates new military tension between the U.S. and Soviet Union called the Cold War – arms race, space race, spread of communism, fear World governing body the United Nations is created

3. Germany is divided among the allied countries – East = USSR, West = U.S. G.B. and France 4. U.S. creates a new constitution for Japan – emperor loses all power Japanese delegation on U.S.S. Missouri surrendering at the end of WWII

5. Former Nazi leaders are put on trial for war crimes 6. Rise of the U.S. and the Soviet Union as the two world “superpowers” 7. Soviets gain control of Eastern European countries. Nazi war trials held in Nuremberg, Germany

Origins of the Cold War Very different political and economic theories: U.S. = Democracy Capitalism Free Markets vs. Soviet Union = Communism State controlled economy No opposing political parties

The U.S. was angry that Stalin originally supported Hitler 2. The U.S. was angry that Stalin originally supported Hitler Soviet Union angry that U.S. kept the atomic bomb a secret Hitler and Stalin political cartoon Scientists of the Manhattan Project watching the test atomic bomb in the New Mexico desert

3. Soviet Union prevents free elections and democracies in Eastern European countries (satellite nations) 4. In response to the Soviet Union’s growth – The U.S. adopts a policy of containment = to stop the spread of communism.

5. Differences over what to do with Germany - U.S./Britain/France = Western Germany = Rebuild - Soviet Union = Eastern Germany = Keep weak to prevent future aggression Construction of the Berlin Wall