The Legacy of WWII World War I

The Legacy of WWII

World War I and World War II • Powers in World War II hold out for the bitter end. • In WWI, once defeat was likely, Germany gave up. • War technology, culture persevere

Yalta Conference • Feb. 1945 (WWII still going on) • Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania to hold free elections. • Stalin takes back this promise. • FDR/Churchill appease Stalin, wanting support in the Pacific.

Potsdam Conference • July 1945 (outside Berlin) • Truman first conference, Clement Atlee is new PM of GB, and Stalin is still leading the USSR. • USSR gets war reparations • Germany divided

A New World Map

Changes in Asia • China – civil war • Japan – new constitution overseen by Gen. Douglas Mac. Arthur

Remember Africa? • Africa’s role in WWII truly comes at its end. • Colonialism around the world begins coming to an end. • European holdings in the Pacific captured by Japan declare independence. • Britain loses massive colonial holdings.

Independence in Asia

The Seat of Global Power • For much of modern history, sat with Great Britain, France, and Spain, with the US jumping in within the last 150 years. • The US is the premier global superpower. • USSR has Red Army, a force to be reckoned with.

Global Economy • • Takes shape after WWII International Monetary Fund World Bank General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade – expand the existing global economy by reducing tariffs.

San Francisco • 50 nations meet to charter the United Nations in April, 1945. • All member nations sit on the General Assembly. • 5 major powers – US, USSR, GBR, FRN, and CHN sit on the Security Council. • 10 other nations hold two year terms on the security council.

Veto Power • The ability of one of the permanent members of the security council to veto any major resolution it does not approve of.

Israel • Israel is founded as a free and independent Jewish state in Palestine in 1948. • It is immediately recognized by the US.

America Takes the Lead • Isolationist sentiment declines • World peace is a priority to continue prosperity • Opens discussion for Civil Rights • Redistribution of wealth in the country