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World War II: The Devastation of Total War in Western Europe

Discover the profound impact of World War II on Western Europe, from economic damage to civilian casualties and political decisions. Explore the aftermath of strategic bombing and the division of Germany post-war. Learn about the Nuremberg Trials and the establishment of the United Nations. This period marked a pivotal moment in history with lasting consequences for the world.

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World War II: The Devastation of Total War in Western Europe

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  1. World War II The Impact of Total War

  2. Economic Damage:Western Europe • Impact of Strategic Bombing • 75% of Berlin Uninhabitable • 20 million homeless in Germany • Dutch lose 219,000 hectares of land • French lose 40% of pre-war transportation systems • Norway lost 14% pre-war capital Dresden After Allied Bombing

  3. The Human Cost 36½ million Europeans die! Deadliest and Most Destructive Conflict in Human History

  4. Military Deaths D-Day Invasion

  5. Civilian Deaths

  6. Eastern Europe • Soviet troops physically occupied E. Europe at end of WWII. • USSR viewed E. Europe as essential to its security… It wanted a sphere of influence.

  7. Yalta(February, 1945) • U.S. & GB formally accept Soviet domination of Eastern Europe • Left out issue of Germany b/c it was so divisive • Did FDR sell out? The “Big Three” at Yalta

  8. PotsdamJuly 17-August 2, 1945 • Agreement to prosecute Axis war criminals (Nuremberg Trials) • Temporary division of Germany into 4 zones • German question to be decided at final peace conference, which never occurs. Atlee Truman Stalin (GB) (USA) (USSR)

  9. Divided by Default Divided Berlin • US came to favor a unified Germany w/ reconstructed economy. • USSR still saw a restored Germany as a major threat. • Britain, France, USA merged zones to form West Germany (May, 1949). • USSR established East Germany as a satellite state (Oct. 1949). East Germany West Germany

  10. The Nuremburg Trials (1946) • First known war crimes trial. • No clear legal precedent. • Most suspects claimed the court had no jurisdiction… Claimed it was “victor’s justice” • In all, about 1800 Germans tried after WWII • Similar trials were held in Japan & Italy

  11. The United Nations • UN founded Oct. 1945 • Security Council • Five permanent members w/ vetoes: United States, Great Britain, France, USSR & China Truman Addresses the UN Conference (1945)

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