End of WWII and Formation of Post War World
Impact of WWII
•55 million ppl killed
(USSR lost 22 million)
•Holocaust—largest statesponsored genocide in
history
•Huge change in the balance
of power in Europe and the
world—US & USSR would
dominate
•Post WWII world v.
different from pre WWII
Formation of United Nations
•April 1945—50 nations met
in San Francisco to plan for a body
that would help to govern the post
war world
•Wanted to solve issues that led to
WWI & WWII before they turned
into World War III
UN Mission
•Maintain World Peace & Security
•Foster Economic & Social Development
•Protect Human Rights
•Be place for nations to work out
differences
The “Superpowers” at the UN
•UN’s most powerful group is The Security Council
• 5 original & permanent members are US, USSR, GB, Fr & China
have veto power meaning if all don’t agree w/ something, then
it does not pass (does not become a “binding resolution”)
•Post WWII—US & USSR are “superpowers” at UN
Immediate Problems after WWII
Occupation/De-militarization of Japan:
•US took control of Japan through military occupation
•Helped rebuild cities etc.—not v. harsh
•Japanese people were very compliant w/ US once they realized
US troops were not the “animals” their gov’t said they were
Division and occupation of Germany:
•Ger divided into 4 zones which
were occupied by Allied troops
US, GB, FR =W. Ger;
USSR = E. Ger.
•Berlin (capital) was also in 4
zones w/in in Soviet zone
•Germans did not want to
be under Soviet control—
v. harsh & communist
•USSR also controlled
all land east of Ger. (captured
from Ger)
Dealing w/ Destruction of Europe:
•
•
•
Major cities—esp in
Ger— were flattened
Major industry destroyed
12 million homeless
hardship of the war lasted for
years
Dealing with Displaced Persons (Non-Jews):
•Summer 1945 there were 20
million people in Europe were on
the move
--trying to get home
--escaping Soviet control
--running from Allies
Liberation of Camps:
•World was shocked by death camps & felt
guilt for not helping more
•Survivors were moved to DP (displaced
persons) camps —cared for by Allies
•Most lost everything and either wouldn’t
or couldn’t return go home b/c:
--their communities were shattered,
families were gone, houses occupied by
non-Jews or destroyed (also making it too
traumatic to return home)
--homes were in E. Europe—occupied by
USSR (no one wanted to live under Stalin)
--wanted to begin fresh in a different place
•Most Jews wanted to leave Europe
altogether and emigrate to Palestine
WHY PALESTINE?
Nuremberg Trials:
• Held from Nov 1945—Sep 1946
•Nazi leaders put on trial in by an
international court (but trials held in Ger)
•Most found guilty—many executed for
“crimes against humanity”
•Only a very small percentage of Nazis
stood trial though—most escaped justice
by emigrating to other nations or assuming
new identities within Germany.
Issues in British Mandate post WWII:
•Brits didn’t want to upset Palestinians by allowing
millions of Jews to emigrate
•Jews got tired of waiting to live in what they
considered to be “their homeland” —wanted a
nation where they were the majority & therefore
safe from persecution
•1945—1948 approx. 70,000 illegally entered
Palestine causing major tension w/ Arabs in region.
Mostly traveled across the Med. Sea by ship —
sometimes GB sent them back to Europe causing
an international fury
Partition of Palestine &
Creation of Israel :
•GB asked UN to solve issue between
Jews & Palestinians
•1947—UN passed a resolution
calling for partition of Palestine—
split between Jews & Palestinians
•Jews said yes, but Palestinians said no
(Arabs did not think it was fair)
•GB refused to enforce partition
b/c Palestinians did not agree— gave
control of area to UN in 1948
•May 14, 1948 Israel declared their
part a “formal” nation—Arab
neighbors declare war to support
Palestinians beginning the
1st Arab-Israeli War