3 - Post World War 2 An Introduction to the Two Superpowers (PPT).pdf

Post WW II The Two Superpowers Changes in Europe Post 1945 Global History 12 Mr. C  What’s Happening? ◆ Europe lay in ruins (physically, economically) ◆ Japan destitute, territory occupied ◆ China about to enter civil war ◆ India struggling for i...

Post WW II The Two Superpowers Changes in Europe Post 1945 Global History 12 Mr. C  What’s Happening? ◆ Europe lay in ruins (physically, economically) ◆ Japan destitute, territory occupied ◆ China about to enter civil war ◆ India struggling for independence from Britain ◆ African and South East Asian countries suffering from neo-colonialism ◆ Latin American countries under military dictatorships  1945- Why US and USSR? US USSR ◆ Relatively unharmed ◆ Lost 20 million citizens from war (physically ◆ “treasure house” of isolated, entered war natural resources later) ◆ Largest land mass ◆ Produced half world’s ◆ Occupied Eastern total industrial and Europe important agricultural output technical expertise and ◆ Vast reserves of oil industrial equipment ◆ Atomic Bomb ◆ Replaced Europe as leader of industrialized world  Obvious Differences US USSR ◆ Multi-party ◆ Single-party states democracy ◆ Totalitarianism ◆ Capitalism ◆ Communism ◆ Free market ◆ Centralized economies government and ◆ Truman economy ◆ Stalin  Capitalism ◆ “Capitalism: economic system in which private individuals and business firms carry on the production and exchange of goods and services through a complex network of prices and markets.” ◆ http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_7 61576596/Capitalism.html  Communism ◆ “Communism: a theory and system of social and political organization …sought to overthrow capitalism through a workers’ revolution and establish a system in which property is owned by the community as a whole rather than by individuals. “ ◆ http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_76 1572241/communism.html  Communism or Capitalism? ◆ Activity: – For the following statements, determine if the statement is associated with communism or capitalism  Statements: ◆ “No private person should be allowed to profit from the work from other citizens” VERSUS ◆ “Any person should be free to start a business and employ people” ◆ “Opportunity for all” VERSUS ◆ “Fairness and equality for all” ◆ “Any profit he or she makes is reward for hard work.” VERSUS ◆ “All profits, instead of going into the pockets of one owner or even shareholders, goes to the state- everyone benefits.” ◆ “Average standard of living higher, but a wide spread between rich and poor.” VERSUS ◆ “Lower average standard of living, but (in theory) everyone is equal.” ◆ “A free economy.” VERSUS ◆ “a controlled economy” ◆ “Only one party of government- no need for anymore.” VERSUS ◆ “Choice of many parties for government, chosen by the people.”  Post WWII (cont.) ◆ March 1946- former British Prime Minister Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech – Recognized threat of Soviet expansion into central Europe – Wanted to stop this from happening – USSR maintained forces in Hungary, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia  American Reaction ◆ March 1947: Truman Doctrine ◆ USA would intervene “to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures” ◆ Truman would use $400 million in aid to assist governments in Greece and Turkey – Policy of containment –Marshall Plan (1947-1951)- money and aid to help rebuild war torn Europe. Refused by Soviets in July 1948