1. To learn about and assess the impact of WWII on America and the world
Results of WWII
Unit Objective:
To learn about and assess the impact of WWII on America and the world

2. For America
End of American isolationism & beginning of interventionism—Why?
America had tried to stay out of the world’s business and got dragged into two wars that had little or nothing to do with America, so it was decided that if America was involved in world affairs it could steer things its way and avoid WWIII
America also saw the Soviet Union as a threat potentially as big or bigger than Nazi Germany and it tried to learn from our mistakes in allowing Germany and Japan to rise unchecked before WWII
U.S. came #1 Superpower (nation of greater strength and in possession of nuclear weapons; Soviets were #2)

3. America
Containment:
#1 GOAL OF U.S. FOREIGN POLICY AFTER WWII--KEEP COMMUNISM FROM SPREADING

4. Example of Containment
Truman Doctrine:
U.S. PROMISE TO HELP ANY COUNTRY FACING A COMMUNIST THREAT
Marshall Plan:
U.S. PLAN TO HELP REBUILD WESTERN EUROPE AFTER WAR SO THEY WOULDN’T TURN TO COMMUNISM

5. Cold War
Era of tense relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union from the end of WWII until the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991
U.S. and Soviet troops never actually fought each other but each nation supported opposing sides in Korea and Vietnam
Led to a “nuclear arms race” as each nation tried to be stronger than the other
Also led to a “space race” as each nation competed for prestige—the Soviets got to space first with Sputnik in 1957, the U.S. landed men on the moon in 1969

7. Post-WWII America
America became world’s #1 economic power due to war mobilization and lack of war damage—ended Great Depression
Baby Boom:
Returning soldiers from the war started families, leading to one of
the biggest population increases ever
Renewed Women’s movement (Rosie the Riveter):
WOMEN IN FACTORIES DURING WAR DIDN’T WANT TO GIVE UP FINANCIAL FREEDOM AFTER WAR

9. Impact of WWII on the World
Germany divided:
Germany itself was divided into East Germany (Communist and dominated by the Soviets) and West Germany (Democratic and closely allied with Britain, France, and America)
Berlin was also divided because neither side was willing to give it up leading to the Berlin Blockade and the Berlin Wall

10. Holocaust: Over 12 million killed, half of them Jews
Creation of Israel: To make up for Holocaust, Jews were given a homeland
Palestine was also to be created, but the Palestinians were unwilling to accept any plan that created a nation for the Jews on their land
Jews accepted plan leading to the creation of Israel
Palestinians did not and have been homeless ever since

11. Iron Curtain:
EASTERN EUROPEAN NATIONS DOMINATED BY SOVIETS
  AFTER THE WAR
China became communist
During WWII the Chinese government and the
communists joined forces against the Japanese; after the
war the communists, led by Mao Zedong, were strong
enough to take over

12. Japan rebuilt as democracy by U.S.:
U.S. WROTE JAPANESE CONSTITUTION AND
ESTABLISHED A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT
ONLY 1% OF JAPAN’S BUDGET CAN BE ON
DEFENSE, SO U.S. PROTECTS JAPAN
Impact on Japan:
All the money Japan would have spent on a military since WWII has instead gone into its economy, schools, and industry leading to Japan becoming an economic competitor with the U.S.

13. End of colonialism:
The colonial powers were so weakened by two world wars that they were no longer able to maintain large empires
Britain recognized its situation and gave independence to most of its colonies in return for trade agreements
France let some colonies go and stubbornly tried to hold on to others (Example: Southeast Asia and Vietnam)

14. Post-WWII Organizations
United Nations:
REPLACED LEAGUE OF NATIONS; U.S. DECIDED TO JOIN BECAUSE IT REALIZED ITS SUCCESS IN MAINTAINING WORLD PEACE DEPENDED ON IT
NATO:
ALLIANCE TO PROTECT WESTERN EUROPE FROM SOVIET INVASION
Warsaw Pact:
EASTERN EUROPEAN ALLIANCE TO PROTECT AGAINST INVASION FROM WEST

15. Korea and Vietnam
Korea divided immediately following WWII (North Korea Communist, South Korea allied with U.S.; led to Korean War from )
Communists in North Vietnam gained independence from France in 1954 and tried to establish one communist nation of Vietnam leading to the Vietnam War
The U.S. got involved in both cases because of the Containment policy and Truman Doctrine