The Legacy of the War World War II

The Legacy of the War World War II (1939 -1945) Chapter 27, Section 5

Essential Questions: • If YOU are told to do something by a teacher, and YOU do it, but then YOU get in trouble for it, are YOU responsible for YOUR actions?

WWII: The Human Cost • Over 20 Million Soldiers Were Killed During WWII • The Soviet Union Lost 7. 5 Million Soldiers, the Most of Any Country! • The United States Lost Over 400, 000 • 400 Gold Stars at the WWII Memorial

World War II Memorial

In Memory of 400, 000+

World War II Destruction • WWII Was Fought w/ NO Limits/Boundaries: – Cities Were Bombed – Villages Were Destroyed – Millions of Civilians Were Killed! • Fighting Took Place on 5 Different Continents • Over 20 Million Soviet Citizens Were Killed! • Over 10 Million Chinese Citizens Were Killed!

WWII Refugees • Refugees Are Citizens Who Are Forced Out of Their Homes/ Country (War, Genocide, Floods, Earthquakes, Etc…) • WWII Created Over 21 Million Refugees: – Orphans of Soldiers – P. O. W’s – Concentration Camp Survivors – Citizens Who Fled When Enemy Armies Arrived – Etc…

Post War U. S. Economy • U. S. Economy was “Booming” After WWII • WWII Ended the Great Depression • No Attacks on U. S. : – U. S. Factories Were in Full Swing! – Everyone Had $$$ to Spend! • Europe’s Economies Were in Ruins: – Factories Were Bombed – Cities/Villages/Ports/ Roads/Bridges/ Transportation Was All Destroyed!

Helping Japan? Really? • At the End of WWII, U. S. Forces Occupied Japan for Several Years • Made Japan Create a New Constitutional Monarchy(Democracy) • The U. S. Provided Japan with $Billions of Dollars for Recovery! • WHY Would We Do That?

The Marshall Plan • In 1948, the U. S. Agreed to Give European Countries Over $13 Billion Dollars • United States Wanted to Help European Countries Get Back on Their Feet! • Or Was Their Another Motive? What Might the U. S. Be Afraid of?

The G. I. Bill of Rights • When WWII Ended, Millions of Soldiers Returned Home! • Wanted Their Jobs & Apartments Back! Competition Grew! (Racism too) • U. S. Passed the G. I. Bill of Rights: – Provided $$$ for Veterans to Go to College – Provided a Living Allowance – Exists to This Day!

The Nuremberg Trials (1945) • An International Court Case to Make Judgment of War Crimes Charged Against Nazi Leaders • Trial was Held in Nuremberg, Germany • 24 Nazi Leaders Were Charged with Crimes Against Humanity for Their Role in the Holocaust • HUGE Trial!

Nuremberg Trails (1945) • “I Was Just Following Orders” • 19 Nazis Were Found Guilty, 12 Were Given the Death Penalty • 185 Other Nazi Leaders Were Found Guilty in Later Trials • Nuremberg Upholds an Important Idea: You Are RESPONSIBLE for Your Actions, Even In Wartime!

Ethnic Cleansing/Genocide • To Exterminate a Group Based on Race, Culture, Creed, Beliefs, Etc… • Unfortunately Happens All Over the World! • Major Genocides That Have Grabbed the World’s Attention: – – – Cambodia (1973) Somalia (1990) Rwanda (1994) Bosnia (1995) Darfur (2005)

The United Nations • Created in April of 1945 • “Nations Must Work Together in Order to Secure World Peace” • Prevent Wars and Resolve Conflicts Peacefully!

NYC (East Side)

United Nations • UN Still Exists Today: 65 Years & Counting! • Headquarters Located in Manhattan (NYC) • Works Every Single Day On Negotiating and Diplomatically Solving International Problems: – – – – Prevent/End Wars Genocide Poverty Natural Disasters Economies Nuclear Weapons Etc…

The General Assembly

United Nations • Outbreak of WWII Also Showed the Weakness of the League of Nations: – Created After WWI – 14 Points = Wilson • Why Did the US Choose to Stay Out of the League of Nations? • The United States DID Join the United Nations and is a Huge Member to this Day!

International Tensions • In 1948, the United Nations Created the Nation of Israel • Wanted to Create a Homeland for Jewish in Palestine • Palestinians Were Very Angry! Arab Nations Surrounding Israel Attacked Right Away! • United Nations and United States Have Always Assisted in the Defense of Israel • Fighting Dates Back Thousands of Years!

U. S. vs. Soviet Union • At the End of WWII, 2 Countries Emerged as Super Powers: – United States – Soviet Union • What Promise Did Stalin Break at the Yalta Conference? • Why Did this Scare the United States? • What Were We Afraid Of?

International Tensions • 27. 5 Million Russians Died During WWII – 7. 5 Million Soldiers – Over 20 Million Civilians • Stalin Wanted a “Buffer Zone” to Make Sure the U. S. S. R. Couldn’t be Invaded Again (aka = East Bloc) • Created Communist Dictatorships in Countries that the Soviet Union Freed (AGAINST YALTA!)

The Cold War Begins! • In 1946 Winston Churchill Declared that an “Iron Curtain” Had Come Down Across Europe. • By 1949 All the Governments of Eastern Europe Except Yugoslavia Were Stalinist/Soviet Regimes • The Cold War Was On!

Communism Today!

Essential Questions: • If YOU are told to do something by a teacher, and YOU do it, but then YOU get in trouble for it, are YOU responsible for YOUR actions?