Global Insecurities At War’s End

1945-1952

Explain the reasons for Global insecurities following WWII.

Objective

USA vs USSR Fighting for world leadership since 1917

(Russian Revolution) Hitler and Fascism placed rivalry on hold

◦ Enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Alliance is impossible.◦ Opposing National Interests◦ Combative Leaders (Truman and Stalin)

Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.) kept another world War from breaking out.

USA vs USSR

Coined by Time, Life, and Fortune magazine publisher Henry Luce.

Luce thought Americans must “accept whole heartedly our duty and our opportunity as the most powerful and vital nation in the world and in consequence to assert upon the world the full impact of our influence, for such means as we see fit.”

The American Century

Escaped the destruction of War.◦ England, France, Germany Russia all greatly

weakened by war. Industrial production rose 90% from 1940-

44◦ Massive government spending responsible for

ending The Great Depression, not the New Deal.◦ People feared what would happen to the economy

once the War was over.

Why so confident?

Needed an estimated $14 billion in exports to maintain growth.

Business men wanted to do business with the Soviets.◦ As diplomatic relations became increasingly

strained, this prospect was lost.◦ Eastern European markets threatened as well.

More motivation to secure and rebuild Europe.

Need for big Markets

44 allied nations met in Bretton Woods New Hampshire.

Developed:◦ International Bank for Reconstruction &

Development (World Bank)◦ International Monetary Fund

America supplied over $7 billion to each, cementing itself as the leader of the world Rebuild.

As principal supplier of the funds, USA had large say as to where the money went.

Bretton Woods

Purposes- rebuild war torn Europe, assist nations in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Stabilized exchange rates.

U.S. Leadership- Control where funds went, could reward nations who supported American markets, withhold from nations who didn’t.

IMF and World Bank Impact

Soviets thought aggressive economic programs were designed to destroy communism and create a capitalist world.

Refused to join the World Bank or the IMF.◦ Cut off opportunity to help their own people and

Eastern European Neighbors.◦ Economically Isolated themselves.

Soviet Reaction

The dream of international cooperation! (Wilson’s League of Nations)

Very favorable in the United States.

The Birth of the United Nations

General Assembly- met for the purpose of debate, not to pass judgment on an issue.

Security Council- responsible for keeping international peace and security.

United Nation Structure

5 permanent members- USA, USSR, Great Britain, France and Nationalist China.

6 temporary members- elected on two year terms.

Each permanent member had absolute veto power. ◦ Could only censure an act of aggression by one of

the member if the aggressor nation abstained from the vote.

Security Council

Western nations held the power, kept it by controlling which nations were admitted.◦ Kept Communist China out.

East and West Polarization made negotiation impossible.

Cold War Politics in the UN

UN relief agency provided war town Europe and Asia with Billions of dollars in Aid.

Adopted the Universal Doctrine of Human Rights in 1948.◦ Eleanor Roosevelt was one of the first US

delegates to the UN, played a huge part in UDHR.◦ Identified and affirmed certain unalienable rights

that every human deserves.

UN Humanitarian Programs

The trials of top Nazi officials in World War II.

21/24 of the defendants were found guilty. War crimes and atrocities were brought to

light. Nuremberg Principle- No soldier or civilian

could be required, or should obey an order-whatever its source- that conflicted with basic humanitarian tenets.

Nuremberg Trials

Strengths- provided aid to war torn countries, good step to global peace keeping and cooperation

Weaknesses- lacked the authority and means to enforce many of its policies.

United Nations

Atlantic Charter 1941 promises-◦ Allies promised to recognize the right of all

nations to self determination and renounce all claims to new territories acquired from war.

◦ Promised to hold free democratic elections in all areas taken from the axis powers.

◦ After elections, hand over control to the new governments.

◦ Charter violated when Allies divided Europe to spheres on influence.

European Division

Soviet European border was in ruins.◦ 20 million dead, 70,000 villages destroyed, 25

million people homeless, steel and agriculture production down to half of prewar levels.

Wanted to punish Germany, not just the Nazis◦ USSR and France saw most of Germany’s

aggression◦ Wanted to treat the Germans so harsh for their

past actions that future generations wouldn’t make the same mistakes.

Soviet Post War Demands

Post War Germany

Reconstructed a capitalist economy.◦ Canceled government control of coal mines and

other major industries. Guided liberal politicians to top government

positions. US advisors began a program of amnesty

for former Nazi elite.◦ Put the Nazi’s in large sectors of business and civil

service.

“American” West Germany

In a state of poverty Soviets took equipment for their own needs. Imposed harsh discipline on inhabitants Took no steps to hand over economy to

Germans.

‘Soviet” East Germany

Post World War II the dream was to have a community of nations and potential world peace.◦ This dream died with Roosevelt.

Churchill and Stalin both wanted to keep spheres of influence.◦ Stalin wanted control over Eastern Europe.◦ Churchill wanted western style Governments right up

to Soviet Border. Churchill Declares-

◦ “An Iron Curtain has descended across the European Continent.

The Iron Curtain