OverView
BY the end of World War two in the middle of 1945, over 60 million people had died and 50 million people had their property destroyed, costing Billions of dollars. Of those 50 million about 40 million had been European, and two thirds of those 40 million were civilian deaths. Most major European cities besides Paris, Brussels and Rome were left in ruins. Eastern Europe felt the most damage, leaving only 153,000 people in Warsaw, Poland- there had been over 1,200,000. After the war many countries turned towards Communism for answers to their countries problems, and communism rose throughout Europe. The other big crisis was how to deal with both the Nazi’s and Germany’s guilt. In 1946 23 nations got together and convicted 22 Nazi leaders of “waging a war of aggression…and committing crimes against humanity” because they were responsible for murdering over 11 million people. Hitler, Heinrich Himmler and Joseph Goebbels the Minister of Propaganda all committed suicide before they could be put to trial. As for Japan the war still waged on in the summer of 1945. On May 12th 1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away, making Harry Truman the President of the United States. Up until this point he had been kept in the dark about the Manhattan Project and was told the U.S. possessed a bomb that would end the war once and for all, not knowing the strength of the Atomic Bomb, Truman decided to drop the Atomic Bomb on both Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th 1945, leaving them in ruins. Emperor Hirohito urged Japan to give up their arms, and general MacAruthur began to disband Japan’s military power.
10 Best Articles
The Nuremberg Trials: Provides an overview of the Nuremburg Trials, the conviction of the 12 most prominent Nazi leaders. "Twelve prominent Nazis were sentenced to death. Most of the defendants admitted to the crimes of which they were accused, although most claimed that they were simply following the orders of a higher authority. Those individuals directly involved in the killing received the most severe sentences. Other people who played key roles in the Holocaust, including high-level government officials, and business executives who used concentration camp inmates as forced laborers, received short prison sentences or no penalty at all."
The Occupation and Reconstruction of Japan: Provides an over view of 1945-1952, when the U.S. occupied Japan.
"After the defeat of Japan in World War II, the United States led the Allies in the occupation and rehabilitation of the Japanese state. Between 1945 and 1952, the U.S. occupying forces, led by General Douglas A. MacArthur, enacted widespread military, political, economic, and social reforms."
The Legacy of World War Two: Decline, Rise and Recovery: This article discusses the legacy of World War II, the relationship between Churchill the Soviet Union and the U.S after the war. "The heated rhetoric of Britain’s wartime leader denouncing the Soviet Union’s stranglehold over the countries of eastern Europe is well known, and needs no elaboration. Suffice it to say that Churchill’s harsh words for the Soviet Union were not greeted with universal enthusiasm in the west. Several US senators found the belligerent tone of his remarks toward Moscow 'shocking'."
The Effects of the War on Japan Today: After 60 years since the devastation of Japan it still suffers. Not it's physical state, but rather the mentalities of the Japanese. "While most Japanese still seem to see World War II - known here as the Pacific War - as a colossal mistake, there is also a growing movement to find reasons to be proud of the war."
The Effects of the War: Discusses the effects the War had on Europe and what conclusions can be drawn from it. "With an irony that once again underlined the fact that history is a human affair, the destruction of the war brought about considerable reorganization."
Bringing Democracy to Japan: Discusses the new constitution put into place in Japan after the War. "Before 1945, democracy as we know it had little chance to develop in Japan. No free elections or real political parties existed. Women were denied equal rights. From an American viewpoint, although the Meiji Constitution listed a number of individual liberties, few were meaningful. For example, even though free speech was protected by the constitution, the government prohibited what it considered "dangerous thoughts."
The Occupation and Reconstruction of Japan: Provides an over view of 1945-1952, when the U.S. occupied Japan.
"After the defeat of Japan in World War II, the United States led the Allies in the occupation and rehabilitation of the Japanese state. Between 1945 and 1952, the U.S. occupying forces, led by General Douglas A. MacArthur, enacted widespread military, political, economic, and social reforms."
The Legacy of World War Two: Decline, Rise and Recovery: This article discusses the legacy of World War II, the relationship between Churchill the Soviet Union and the U.S after the war. "The heated rhetoric of Britain’s wartime leader denouncing the Soviet Union’s stranglehold over the countries of eastern Europe is well known, and needs no elaboration. Suffice it to say that Churchill’s harsh words for the Soviet Union were not greeted with universal enthusiasm in the west. Several US senators found the belligerent tone of his remarks toward Moscow 'shocking'."
The Effects of the War on Japan Today: After 60 years since the devastation of Japan it still suffers. Not it's physical state, but rather the mentalities of the Japanese. "While most Japanese still seem to see World War II - known here as the Pacific War - as a colossal mistake, there is also a growing movement to find reasons to be proud of the war."
The Effects of the War: Discusses the effects the War had on Europe and what conclusions can be drawn from it. "With an irony that once again underlined the fact that history is a human affair, the destruction of the war brought about considerable reorganization."
Bringing Democracy to Japan: Discusses the new constitution put into place in Japan after the War. "Before 1945, democracy as we know it had little chance to develop in Japan. No free elections or real political parties existed. Women were denied equal rights. From an American viewpoint, although the Meiji Constitution listed a number of individual liberties, few were meaningful. For example, even though free speech was protected by the constitution, the government prohibited what it considered "dangerous thoughts."
Video/Audio sources
1. An interview Keith Lowe the Author of "Savage Continent", discussing the Aftermath of World War II.
2. Excerpts from Presidents Truman's speech after the dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima.
3. This video shows shots of Germany a few years after the war, in ruins.
2. Excerpts from Presidents Truman's speech after the dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima.
3. This video shows shots of Germany a few years after the war, in ruins.