Consequences of World War II Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What percentage of the world population was killed during World War II?

1-2%

2-3% (correct)

6-7%

4-5%

What was the Bloodlands?

The area extending from the Baltic to the Black Sea where mass killings and exterminations occurred.

How many deaths are estimated to be associated with Gulag camps?

1-5 million deaths

What was the Refugee Crisis following World War II?

A crisis where millions were left without land, money, or homes. Signup and view all the answers

How many ethnic Poles were expelled between 1939 and 1945?

1.7-2.4 million Signup and view all the answers

How many Japanese Americans were relocated during World War II?

Around 100,000 Signup and view all the answers

What was the WWII Aliyah?

The emigration of over 100,000 Jews to Palestine between 1939-1948. Signup and view all the answers

How many ethnic Germans were expelled after World War II?

11-16 million Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration?

To confront the refugee crisis and provide aid. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

A declaration adopted by the UN in 1948 that expresses the rights entitled to all human beings. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the post-war economic booms?

Economic growth in France, Japan, Germany, and Italy after WWII. Signup and view all the answers

What was discussed at the Yalta Conference?

Plans for post-war Europe, including giving Poland and parts of Eastern Europe to Stalin. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of the Potsdam Conference?

To administer punishment to defeated Nazi Germany and establish post-war order. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Bretton Woods Conference?

A conference to regulate the international monetary and financial order post-WWII. Signup and view all the answers

What does IMF stand for?

International Monetary Fund Signup and view all the answers

What does GATT stand for?

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Signup and view all the answers

What was the Marshall Plan?

A plan initiated in 1948 to aid in European economic recovery post-WWII. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cost in Human Life

Approximately 60+ million people killed in WWII, representing 2-3% of the world population.
Among the casualties, two-thirds were civilians; half of these died from famine and disease, 20% in death camps, and the remainder from war-related causes.

Bloodlands

Refers to the region from the Baltic to the Black Sea, where mass exterminations occurred under Hitler and Stalin.
Coined by scholar Timothy Snyder to describe extensive non-military killings.

Gulag Deaths

Estimated deaths in Soviet gulags range from 1-5 million, including forced population transfers.

Refugee Crisis

Millions displaced globally following WWII, facing loss of land, homes, and disconnection from ethnic groups.

Expulsion of Ethnic Poles

Between 1939 and 1945, an estimated 1.7 to 2.4 million Poles expelled, with an additional 2 million enslaved.

Internment of Japanese Americans

Around 100,000 ethnic Japanese relocated to the Midwest during WWII.

WWII Aliyah

Over 100,000 Jews emigrated illegally to Palestine between 1939 and 1948, in response to persecution.

Forced Expulsion of Germans

Between 11 to 16 million ethnic Germans expelled from various Eastern European countries such as Hungary, Romania, and Poland.

United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration

Founded to tackle the refugee crisis post-WWII, distributing $3.7 billion in aid.
Evolved into the UN High Commissioner for Refugees by 1950.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948

Adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948, reflecting the need for fundamental human rights in the aftermath of WWII.

Postwar Economic Booms

Significant economic recoveries known as "economic miracles" occurred in France, Japan, Germany, and Italy.
Germany's recovery referred to as "Wirtschaftswunder" in the 1950s; Italy's known as "Il Miracolo Economico" during the same period.

Yalta Conference

A 1945 meeting between US President FDR, UK Prime Minister Churchill, and Soviet Leader Stalin to plan post-war Europe.
Controversially, FDR agreed to Soviet control over Poland and parts of Eastern Europe.

Potsdam Conference

Held in 1945 involving the Soviet Union, UK, and US leaders to determine the administration of post-war Germany and discuss retribution for Nazi war crimes.

Bretton Woods Conference (1944)

A meeting of 730 delegates from 44 Allied nations aimed at regulating international monetary and financial systems post-WWII.
Established key institutions like the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Monetary Fund.

IMF

Formed in 1944 with 29 member countries to facilitate international payment reconstruction post-WWII, using a quota system for funds.

GATT

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade established in 1947 aimed to lower trade barriers, later evolving into the World Trade Organization in 1995.

Marshall Plan

Initiated in 1948 as a significant American program to aid Western European recovery post-WWII, providing substantial financial support.

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Description

Explore the tragic impact of World War II through these flashcards that detail key concepts such as the cost in human life and the term 'Bloodlands.' Learn about the millions lost and the historical significance of these events in shaping modern history.