The Holocaust
1930’s Anti-Semitism grows stronger in Germany. Jews are blamed
for the defeat in WWI and economic problems.
1933 Persecution of the Jews becomes public policy. Jews can not
hold public office.
1935 Nuremberg Laws- Take away Jews rights, citizenship, jobs,
property. Were forced to wear the star of David to be
identified.
1938 To revenge his father’s deportation from Germany, a Jewish
youth shoots a worker at the German Embassy in Paris.
Nazis retaliate, attacking Jewish communities on November 9.
They destroyed homes and businesses, and beat up and
killed many Jews. This night was called Krystalnacht.
 Many German Jews were deported to other countries but after
taking thousands of refugees many countries began to shut their
doors.
 In an attempt to find another solution, Hitler begins moving Jews to
walled up parts of the city to separate them from the rest of the
population. They were often starved and beaten within the
ghettos.
The Final Solution
Genocide- systematic killing of a whole people.
 Also killed gypsies, poles, homosexuals, disabled and
mentally ill but mostly the Jews.
1939 As Hitler begins to invade Eastern Europe his SS
would round up men, women and children take them to
isolated spots and gun them down. Other Jews were
taken to slave labor camps in Germany and were made
to endure hard labor in bad conditions with very little
food.
1942 Extermination camps are completed in Poland.
Jews are sent to death in mass in gas chambers
disguised as showers, others are beaten and starved to
death. Six million Jews are killed. Many people risked
their lives to hide the Jews or help them to escape.
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Impact of the War
The Yalta Conference (Feb 1945) FDR, Churchill,
Stalin
 create the United Nations (Atlantic Charter)- 50
nations meet, 11 member security council holds
power (major allies and others elected by
general assembly)
 Stalin controls Japanese islands, N½ of Korea,
promises free elections in E. Europe
Potsdam, Germany- July 45‘- Truman, Churchill,
Stalin
 Disarm Germany
 Get rid of Nazi party
 Divide Germany into 4 occupation zonesBritain, France, Germany, Soviets each controlBerlin also divided into 4 zones
In Europe
40 million had died
 Many major cities destroyed by bombs (Berlin, Warsaw,
Stalingrad), transportation, crops/ fields
 millions without homes- Refugees, wander through
Europe
 No electricity, running water, food, supplies
 Governments- France, Italy, Germany start from scratch,
 Communist support grows, loses power in France, Italy
Nuremburg Trials
 Nazis on trial for war crimes, International war tribunal,
23 countries
 22 defendants, 12 sentenced to death, cremated in
ovens at concentration camps
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Japanese Occupation
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Controlled by US forces under General MacArthur- 6
months
War Crimes trials- tried for crimes against civilians
prisoners of war- 1,100 tried, 25 major defendants, 7
sentenced to death, many others serve jail time
Cities destroyed by bombs, rebuild, Capitalism takes
over- economic recovery- distribute land ownership
(wealthy forced to sell), labor unions legal
New Constitution (MacArthur constitution) Parliamentary
Democracy (elections), 2 house legislature (Diet), basic
liberties, Women’s right to vote, Emperor removed from
absolute power, still head of state (forced to admit he is
not divine)
Demilitarization- only allowed a small police force,
protection from the US
At Home- during
Economic boom, money invested
 Good weather, fertilizer, farm production booms also
 Women flood workforce, prove competency
 Population shift, according to war industries, many move
west
 Marriage boom, also divorce boom
Discrimination persists
 African Americans- segregated but prove themselves on
the battle field, Tuskegee Airmen, 92nd infantry (Buffaloes)
 Race riots at home, CORE (congress of Racial Equality)
fights for rights, sit-ins
 1943- Zoot Suit Riots- Mexican Americans
 1944- Korematsu vs. US- Supreme court says Japanese
internment was a necessity
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Post War US
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US becomes the major world power
GI bill of Rights- veterans get money for schools,
help to buy homes, start businesses
Housing shortage met by track homes (not
called that yet)- growth of suburbs, housing
communities outside of big cities
Major readjustment- Some difficult transition,
fathers return from war, women return to the
home,
Economy- war products not needed, millions out
of work/ new industries emerge
Price controls removed- inflation, some goods
are scarce- some govt. price controls renewed
Consumers have $ to spend, economic boom
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American military defense spending high due to Cold
war, 3 million men in military
Marshall plan- rebuilding in Europe, good for trade
Labor strikes- unions forced to give up, Truman
threatens to draft workers
Congress refuses to support Civil Rights, Truman orders
desegregation of Military, end to discrimination in hiring
of federal employees
Election of 48’- division in Democrats, Civil Rights
platform not popular, congress (Republican) refuses to
work w/ Truman- Whistle stop Campaign, traveled the
country and gained support.
Truman- minimum wage raised, social security extended,
flood control/ irrigation, housing for low income families