Download Aftermath of World War II

Focus 3/13

After World War II, the two remaining Super Powers, the Soviet
Union and the United States, began reshaping the world. First,
they had to deal with the atrocities committed during the war.
The Nuremberg Trials were set up to prosecute Nazi war
criminals responsible for the Holocaust.

Point for Discussion: Why did the Soviets and the United
States disagree?

Term to Know: Atrocity

Critical Lens: The Nuremberg Trials were set up to discredit
fascism.
Aftermath of World War II
Aftermath of World War II

Allies discover
horrible extent of
Hitler’s Holocaust
and Japanese war
crimes.
Aftermath of World War II
Allies put German
Nazis on trial at
Nuremberg.
 Nuremberg Trials
- Handful of top Nazis
received death
penalty
- Others were
imprisoned

Aftermath of World War II

Tokyo Trials The Potsdam declaration of July
1945 had called for trials of those
who had "deceived and misled"
the Japanese people into war.
On December 23,
1948, General Tojo
and six others were
hung at Sugamo
prison.
Aftermath of World War II

War crime trials
served to discredit the
Nazi, Fascist, and
militarist ideologies.
Aftermath of World War II

April 1945 – delegates from 50 nations
draft charter for United Nations
Aftermath of World War II

Purpose of United Nations is no provide a
place to discuss world problems and
develop solutions
Aftermath of World War II

-
Two Main Bodies of United Nations:
General Assembly – includes all members
Security Council – 15 Members – 5
permanent members United States, Great
Britain, and China
Aftermath of World War II
West Germany becomes a democracy
 East Germany becomes a satellite of
Soviet Union

Aftermath of World War II

Japan develops a constitutional monarchy
- power of emperor is limited