Europe in Shambles: Aftermath of World War II
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Presentation Transcript
Unit 6, Section 5 Aftermath of War
Europe in Shambles • Europe is destroyed by war • Prior to end of war, Allies begin discussing what post-war Europe will look like • Yalta Conference – February, 1945. Stalin, Churchill, Roosevelt meet. • Temporary division of Germany • Soviets will join war against Japan • Stalin promises free elections in Eastern Europe
Casualties of War • World War 2 resulted in approximately 65-85 million deaths worldwide • Soviet Union ~25 million • China ~15 million • United States – 420,000 • United Nations created in April, 1945 in hopes of avoiding future conflicts
End of War • April 12th, 1945, FDR dies in office – Harry Truman becomes President • May 8th, 1945 – Victory in Europe (VE Day) • September 2nd, 1945, Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) • Celebration!
War Crimes Trials • Trial of Nazi War Criminals held at Nuremberg, Germany - high level Nazi officials • 12 of 24 defendants sentenced to death • Nazi fugitives are being pursued to this day • trial summary
Occupying Japan • General Douglas MacArthur in charge of post-war Japan • Creates Constitution and democratic reforms • Focus on economic development eventually makes Japan an industrial power • Hideki Tojo is executed December 23rd, 1948 • Emperor Hirohito is exonerated
Potsdam Conference • July, 1945 • Truman is tested as Stalin denies free elections in Poland – breaks Yalta promise • Germany is divided into East and West; capital of Berlin is also divided • US occupies West, Soviets occupy East • Tension is already building • Question for US – how to keep Europe out of communist hands?