● 50-60 million people died during this conflict.
● Brutal attacks in cities: started in Germany.
● The only two survivors standing were the United States and the Soviet Union. These two nations had actually flourished into global superpowers due to the war.
● WWII decimated the economy and political institutions of most of the world.
● The economic effects of war became a source of tension between the two global superpowers.
● The experience of war would bring about a general sense of anxiety in all aspects of life.
○ Various intellectual and artistic movements would address these feelings in all types of styles.
● Since the European Countries struggled to recover, the US proposed the Marshall Plan. Approved by Congress, America offered $13 billion in aid to all of Europe on the sole condition that they work together for mutual benefit.
○ This was a win-win for both sides, since they got the trade they desired from Europe AND Central and Western Europe got the funds they needed to rebuild themselves
○ However, most of Eastern Europe, under the influence and control of the USSR (satellite nations), refused the aid of the United States.
■ As an alternative, the Soviet Union came up with the Molotov Plan in 1947. All nations under the influence of the USSR or allied with them were offered financial aid. It resembled the Marshall Plan but only for Eastern Europe.
● Even before WWII had ended, the 2 major Allied powers—the United States and the Soviet Union—had begun to disagree on the nature of the postwar European world.
● Unity had been maintained during the war b/c of the urgent need to defeat the Axis powers, but once they were defeated, the differences b/w the Americans and Soviets surged to the front.
● Eastern Europe was the 1st area of disagreement
○ The US and Britain had championed self-determination and democratic freedom for the liberated nations of Eastern Europe. Stalin, however, feared that the Eastern European nations would return to traditional anti-Soviet attitudes if they were permitted free elections, and thus, opposed the West’s plans.
● Developed when a civil war in Greece provided another arena for the confrontation b/w the superpowers
● Stated that the US will provide support for countries that are threatened by the communist powers.
● The victory of the Chinese Communists in 1949 in the Chinese civil war brought a new Communist regime and intensified American fears about the spread of communism.
● Korea splits into North and South Korea.
● The Soviets supported North Korea
● The US supported South Korea
○ June 1950 - North Korea invaded South Korea
○ The US got involved since they are allies with South Korea. They sent American troops to turn back the invasion.
○ China forced American troops back to South Korea
○ An armistice was signed in 1953. The 38th parallel remained roughly the boundary line b/w North and South Korea
● As a result, American military alliances were spread around the world.
● The Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Great Britain , and the US was intended to prevent the Soviet Union from expanding at the expense of its southern neighbors.
● After Vietnamese forces had defeated their French colonial masters in 1954, Vietnam was divided, which led to conflict between the two divisions.
○ North Vietnam under the aid of the Soviets
○ South Vietnam under the aid of the US
● Despite their massive superiority in equipment and firepower, US forces failed to prevail over the persistence of the North Vietnamese and especially the Vietcong.
● These forces were extremely effective against American troops. Natives of Vietnam were able to live off the land, disappear among the people, and attack when least expected
● 1st took place in India in August 1947
● 1922 - Egypt receives independence from Britain. However, it wasn’t until 1956 did the Suez Canal return to the control of the Egyptians.
● 1957 - Ghana declared independence from Britain.
● 1949 - Indonesia declared independence from the Netherlands
● 1958 - Algeria gained independence from France after a civil war eruption.
● Concern over the Soviet Union, which led to military cooperation through the establishment of NATO; aided the cause of European unity.
● 1st stage = economic cooperation with the establishment of the organization of European economic cooperation (based on Marshall plan)
● Next, 1951 - the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community. Renamed the European Parliament in 1962
● 1957 - Treaty of Rome establishing the European economic community Britain, Ireland and Denmark
● Maastricht Treaty of 1992 led to the establishment of a common currency the Euro
● EEC was changed to the European Union.
● 1961 - Germany started building the Berlin Wall
● 1990 - German reunification
● 1955 - The Warsaw Pact by the Soviet Union
● 1991 - Soviet Union collapsed