Download The Cold War - Cabarrus County Schools

The Effects of WWII & The Rise of
Two Super Powers
7 t h G r a d e S o c i al S t u di e s
H a r o ld E . W i n kl e r M i d d l e S c h o o l
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Postwar Europe

Cities, factories, and farmland
destroyed throughout Europe.
 Result: Economies in ruin… food
shortages, famine, disease, and
unemployment.
Britain had heavy debt and
continued to depend on United
States.
 Result: Gave independence
to India in 1947, because they
could not afford the colony anymore.

Europe in Ruins
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India’s Independence 1947
Non-violent Protestor Indian Mahatma Gandhi
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Nuremberg Trials

Military trials that began in
November, 1945 in Nuremberg,
Germany

The first series of trials focused
on 23 high ranking Nazi officials

The charges included:
1. Crimes against peace
2. Waging wars of
aggression
3. Crimes against
humanity
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The State of Israel
The Creation of Israel

After WWII, British controlled
Palestine was given to the Jews
to establish a safe haven and
homeland.
 This nation is known as
Israel and is considered the
“Holy Land” for both the Jews
and the Palestinians.

Conflict still exists today as a
result of Jewish occupation of
former Palestinian land.
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Palestine/Israel
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The Yalta Conference 1945

The Big Three meet in Soviet
Union after V-E Day.
 Soviets agree to help U.S.
fight Japan.
 In return, Soviets would
receive land in Asia (from
Russo-Japanese War).

Germany will be divided into 4
zones of occupation.

The new United Nations is
formally established.
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The United Nations
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U.S.-Soviet Distrust
WHY??

Soviets felt the U.S. did not recognize
their Communist government.

Stalin resented the Allies delaying their
attack on Germany during World War II.

Tensions began to arise over the
democratic v. communist ideologies.
IE: Berlin Blockade & Berlin Airlift


In Response:
• The United States and allies = The
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO)
• The Soviet Union and allies =
Warsaw Pact
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The Iron Curtain

The Soviet Union begins
influencing other countries in
Europe to become Communist.

British Prime Minister
Winston Churchill refers to
the divide between
democracy and communist
countries in Europe as the
‘Iron Curtain’.

U.S. announces a new
foreign policy called
“containment” to stop
spread of communism.
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NATO v. WARSAW PACT
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Soviet Union “Satellite Nations”
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Albania
Bulgaria
Czechoslovakia
Hungary
Romania
Poland
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The Truman Doctrine
• President Harry S. Truman’s
plan of containment of
Communism around the world.
• Through the Truman
Doctrine, money was sent to
countries to rebuild their
infrastructure and
governments.
• Money sent to countries
fighting off Communism was
through an act called the
Marshall Plan.
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Post War Effects in U.S.
• WWII ended the Great Depression!
• The standard of living increased. Meaning
more people had jobs and more money
overall.
Video: Post-World
War II Economy
Booms with
Soldiers Return to
U.S.
• Baby Boom Generation 1946-1965: birth
rates increased, demand for goods such as
housing, cars, etc. increased.
• Overall, the United States prospered after
World War II…but there was always a fear
of Communism!
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Post War Effects in Asia
• Many Asian colonies were seeking independence after
WWII, such as India and Vietnam.
• U.S. dropping the atomic bomb devastated Japan… the
U.S. will help them rebuild their cities, factories, and
governments.
• Result: Japan models industrialization after U.S.
• 7 Japanese leaders, including General Tojo, were
sentenced to death after World War II. Emperor Hirohito
was the only one left…
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