WWII's Impact on Europe

The Impact of WWII on Europe

• Much of the European theatre of war was destroyed

• The aftermath of WWII saw Europe rebuilding and coping with the Cold War

• It was a shattered war zone by Germany's surrender in May 1945

• Around 36 million Europeans died

• Roads, railways, bridges, and canals were destroyed by fighting and bombing

• Many areas lacked gas, electricity, and running water

• Disease and malnutrition were widespread

• Over 50 million people lost or left their homes

• Eastern Europe's dire situation later contributed to Cold War tensions

• Eastern Europe faced violence between ethnic groups

• There was massive resistance to the USSR

A New Political Landscape

• In 1939, Britain, France, and Germany were great European powers
• By war's end, Britain was virtually bankrupt
• France was occupied by Germany in 1940 but liberated in 1944 and was no longer a great power
• Germany was ruined by 1945
• Britain, France, and Germany were no longer dominant on the world stage

Emergence of the Superpowers

• The United States and the USSR emerged as superpowers
• The term "superpower" described the two countries as being above other major powers
• They had geographical size, population, economic output, and military strength
• WWII caused a fundamental shift in the balance of power

Early Tensions between the United States and the USSR

• The wartime alliance between the United States and the USSR was surprising given their history and different ideologies
• The democratic United States opposed the communist USSR from its inception
• US leaders feared communism would threaten their way of life
• The USSR believed the United States was selfishly building an economic empire
• Mistrust, tensions, and competition arose as each country wanted its ideology adopted by others

Differences in Ideology: The United States (Democracy)

• Belief that individual choice in government is vital

• Support for individual liberties like freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the right to own property

• A goal of sustaining the capitalist world economy to prevent countries from becoming communist

• Government is chosen in free elections with multiple parties

• Wealth is created through the free market, leading to inequality

• The US has a capitalist, free-market economy

• There is private ownership of businesses and properties

• Individual freedoms are valued

Differences in Ideology: The USSR (Communism)

• Belief in destroying capitalism through class struggles

• Support for creating a utopian world with equality and shared property and work

• A one-party dictatorship controls the country

• Candidates in elections belong to the Communist Party

• Wealth is shared through state control, resulting in low inequality and unemployment

• The USSR has a communist, command economy

• Goods are allocated based on need

• The government controls all resources, including factories and farms

• Individual freedoms are less important than society's interests

• Ideological differences between the US and USSR could escalate tensions because each believed their ideology was superior and they would convert other ones

History of Suspicion and Mistrust Before 1939

• The United States and the USSR distrusted each other since Russia became communist in 1917

• During the Communist Manifesto, the USSR wished to overthrow capitalist states

• The United States and Western Europe feared communist revolutions

• The Paris Peace Conference decided in 1919 not to break up Germany

• America and Britain were worried about communism in Russia

• Germany was seen as a barrier to communism

• During the Russian Civil War, US and British troops assisted the Whites against the communists from 1918-1921

• During the Red Scare, The US government arrested and imprisoned people of being suspected communist agents

• In the 1930s, Britain and France appeased Hitler due to fear that the USSR was trying to spread communism

• In 1939, the USSR and Germany signed the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

• Past incidents could make it difficult for the United States and the USSR to trust each other during WWII

Wartime Alliance as only a "Marriage of Convenience"

• Despite the alliance of the United States, Britain, and the USSR over WWII, most historians believe it was a "marriage of convenience"

• The alliance wanted to defeat Nazi Germany

• Tensions grew even during the war and the Soviet troops had been fighting against a German invasion since August 1942

• In 1944, Overlord was agreed to open at the Tehran Conference in Iran

• Stalin distrusted that the Allies delayed the second front to weaken the USSR

• Churchill defended that any attempt to land troops in Western Europe would result in heavy casualties prior to 1944

• Distrust and suspicion continued despite the alliance and cooperative relationship during the war

The Wartime Alliance Breaks Down: Yalta and Potsdam

• The United States and the USSR had a stake in post-war matters as superpowers as the defeat of the Axis powers was imminent

• In February 1945, the Big Three (Britain, US, USSR) met in Yalta where they discussed what should happen when WWII ended.

• The United States and the USSR dominated discussions

• Both countries held different opinions

• The United States believed in peace, safety, and prosperity

• They also believed democracy and capitalism was a model for international development

• Western Europe was essential for stability and US prosperity from trade

• The reasons for the United States beliefs were that it was alarmed by the Soviet backed leaders in Eastern Europe, and the trade with Europe was disrupted due to WWII

• The USSR wanted to establish buffer states in Eastern Europe to prevent another invasion

• Eastern Europe had to remain friendly to keep the USSR secure and the USSR wanted war reparations for Germany

• WWII led to at least 20 million Soviet dead.

• Agreements during Yalta states that Eastern Europe was in the Soviet Sphere as Stalin was concerned for the future security of the Soviet Union

• The Big Three created the United Nations (UN) and countries liberated from German occupation were to choose what government they wanted

• Nazi War criminals were to be tried, and Germany was to be divided into 4 occupied zones

• During Yalta, Stalin wanted to move the Soviet border into Poland, this was not agreed but Roosevelt and Churchill approved it if Russia didn't try to take over Greece

• Roosevelt and Churchill were unhappy but eventually agreed and the leaders attempted to show they still had strong ties

• In reality relations were extremely tense, Churchill and Stalin clashed, in relation to Roosevelt's willingness to work with Stalin

• Soon after the conference, Churchill wrote to Roosevelt being concerned that Russia might jeopardise peace

• Churchill ordered his military commanders for a war with Russia

• Tension was rising due to both sides having conflicting ideas

• Russia had just been invaded twice and had been attacked by Germany and wanted to protect themselves for their own security

• Meanwhile, the US pushed and the United States was worried about communism taking over

The Potsdam Conference

• The Big Three met in Potsdam, Germany, in July 1945 due to growing tensions

• There were important changes in the world

• There was a change in leadership. Stalin remained the leader, but the rest changed

• Harry S. Truman who had little foreign affairs experience replaced Roosevelt

• Clement Attlee replaced Churchill as the British had elected him for his domestic policies

• The USSR also expanded rapidly, now controlling the baltic, Finland, Poland, Czechosolvakia, Hungary and Romania

• In particular Poland caused tension and went against the Yalta Conference that agreed for free elections

• Further change emerged involving the Manhattan Project and development of the atomic bomb

• Truman had told Stahl about his intentions but by this point it was no surprise as information had been leaked already

• The United State's choice to not tell the USSR about the bomb made Stalin more suspicious

• Like the Yalta Conference, papers, news and the radio expressed the unity between the Allies and tried to continue with changing circumstances

• There were major disagreements over the split-up of Eastern Europe. It was now looked at as if Stalin would take over.

• Also, there were disagreements over Germany as Stalin wanted to cripple them while also benefiting from them

• These disagreements made relationships worsen because Potsdam made Truman tell Stallin about the Atomic Bomb.

• By 1949, the world had atomic weapons

The Iron Curtain and Soviet Control of Eastern Europe

• Issues regarding Eastern Europe had already caused tension at past conferences.

• In Eastern Europe, Stalin adopted "salami tactics" such as removing any political opponents, to ensure that communist governments would take over power

• These communist takeovers were brutal at times and the USSR would first install communism and gain power through isolating anyone who went against.

• The Soviet Union was able to succeed and control countries such as Russia.

• Russia had been invaded multiple times and controlled Eastern Europe as a more challenging way to avoid Western attacks

• The United States saw this as building an empire and asked Churchill for help.

• Churchill gave a speech warning the dangers of The USSR and called it the "Iron Curtain"

• This speech acted as a call to arms to join NATO and help act as a wall to the Soviet Union

• The speech itself grew massive ire and added more anger between the two leaders

Review Activity 1: What was the Relationship Like Between the United States and the USSR Between 1917 and 1945?

• 1918-1921 saw Notable Hostility
• Russia was in a Civil war and the US intervened hoping to stop the spread of communism
• 1920s there was deep distrust for communism
• The red scare began and there was fear for the spread of communism
• The 1930s saw Britain and Frances fear over Russia still who hoped that Hitler would act as a buffer for The Soviet Union
• In 1939 there was "Great Hostility" Russia signed an agreement with Nazi-Germany which the world had not expected
• By 1941 allies warmed up
• In 1945 there were already "Slightly Friendly" relations as the US began deepening distrust
• In July 1945 both countries were growing more and more agitated and there was a change in leadership involving the defeat of Nazi-Germany.

Superpower Rivalry Intensifies: Development of the Cold War and the Containment Policy

• In this period there was a series of moves and more caused a bipolar world

• In 1946 and 1947 relations worsened and Truman continued to take a line against Stalin.

• In March 1947 it was declared which became the Truman Doctrine

• The United States provided money, military equipment and advice

• The Truman Doctrine sparked the beginning of an attempt to stop the spread of communism

• In Turkey there was a Civil War

• Stalin wanted access to Turkish Ports

• Truman exaggerated these claims to gain support

• In May, 1947, the US Congress passed the "Greece and Turkey Bill", and the USSR responded with the 'Cominform'

• The US was going to actively resist the spread of Communism and that Russia responded by setting up The Cominform and The Comecon

• Truman wanted to use his power to prevent the spread of the Communism through economic and in June 1947 The "Marshall Plan" arrived hoping to donate Billions

• Over April, Food and Other items and sent to Europe but any democratic countries didn't receive the aid - Italy did not, for example

• Stallin then retaliated by using 2 new organisations the "Cominform and Comecon"

• Stllin felt the United States was trying to control Western Europe

• Stalin then turned these Eastern powers into more Satellite States

• Cominform created 1947 to unite the communist states which saw the Soviet Union taking over states in Europe

• Cominform's power saw the only country arguing, Yugoslava, get expelled and become an enemy of Russia

• The USSR wished to set to be free from any influence from The United States

• The Satellite states saw limited advantages but Poland had to offer most it offered

The Berlin Blockade

• In 1948 Stalin was upset by the Trizone

• Stalin pushed and blocked West Berlin through rail and road

• The point was to prevent all access as he began to block the Allied Zones

• Stalin wanted to make an effort to convince Allied members to unify to keep Germany weak and divided

• Truman ordered an Airlift in Germany providing Coal and Food

• The USSR did nothing however

• By 1949 they were driven of out Berlin and the blockade was removed

• Stalin would unite the Zones and the Soviet Zones would be recognised as the German Democratic Republic

• East and West Berlin were then split and eventually the Berlin Wall

• Truman had the plan to meet in Washington D.D and sign a deal to work together

• This resulted in the NATO and that if anyone was attacked, all the members would retaliate

• US Forces were given NATO and it was a sign of peace, which the USSR saw as a treat

• The Berlin Blockade was caused to see 2 opposing powers which resulted in key events such as Germany and it's subsequent division and the NATO

• Tensions continued and was a huge threat

Continuing Tensions, 1949-1955

• 1949 was a period of change involving rising tensions

• In 1949 Russia now obtained its own Atomic Bomb

• China becomes a Communist country

• 1950 The Korean War

• By August 1949 Russia created an atomic bomb with America

• In October China became communist, which became a worry for the US

• During that time, the start of the Korean War