5. Making a New World Order 1945-1952

Question 1

What economic policies did the U.S. implement post-WW2 which are arguably built on colonial ideas?

Answer 1

• Truman administration relied more on economic power than military in post-WW2, huge military cuts
• Monetary agreements
• Truman Doctrine, Marshall Aid etc.
• Reparation, Reconstruction & Relief
• Development Aid (developmental period, from colonial period)
• ODA, Overseas Development Assistance, donor and recipient, receiving aid means you lose power/autonomy, bilateral assistance, IMF, World Bank etc. (soft power)

Question 2

Why was the United States an international superpower by the end of the war?

Answer 2

• With the end of WW2 the world is financially ruined, U.S. only country with money

Question 3

In what ways was the Paris Peace Conference (Palais du Luxembourg, 1946) different from the Treaty of Versailles that ended WW1?

Answer 3

• Reconstruction not reparations (don’t make the enemy pay like the Treaty of Paris did)
• Inter-Ally Reparations Commission
• Previously discussed at the Yalta Conference (1945), Germany pay $22 billion, similar policy for Japan
• Couldn’t have another Treaty of Versailles = contributed to the Great Depression and the start of WW2
• Reconstruction makes the world peaceful for the expansion of U.S. democracy (and markets)

Question 4

Why would a reconstruction policy be more benefitial to the U.S. than enforcing reparations?

Answer 4

• Threat of economic collapse in Europe, severe winter, convinced Truman of need for economic aid
• Countries don’t have money to buy U.S. good which puts U.S. at risk of recession
• Saving democracy, good for U.S. business

Question 5

What were the benefits of Marshall Aid?

Answer 5

• $113 billion to Europe

- Money then used to buy U.S. goods, benefits U.S. industry, also limits the spread of communism

Question 6

What were post-WW2 U.S. concerns in Europe over?

Answer 6

• Spread of communism
• Greek Civil War = looked like communists may win
• Iron Curtain (1946)
• Economic collapse

Question 7

How was the Philippines impacted by the Pacific War and what was U.S. policy in the country after the war ended?

Answer 7

• Manila – “worst damaged city in the world” with “the exception of Warsaw”, Eisenhower
• Invaded and fought over twice, most of the destruction caused by the U.S.
• U.S. promised to compensate them for their support = Philippine War Damages Commission 1947-51
• Colonial responsibility & because of Philippine support for U.S. forces against Japan
• U.S. self interest – Philippines does as its told
• Communist factions in the Philippines

Question 8

What was U.S. policy to Japan after its unconditional surrender in 1945?

Answer 8

• Retribution for military action = demilitarisation
• Give compensation to neighbouring states
• Reconstruction of Japanese society
• 1946 Constitution drafted by 24 U.S. military officers
• Turn Japanese war industry into other types of manufacturing
• Treaty lasts until 1951, reverse reparations, no longer see Japan as the enemy
• Security Treaty, 1951 – U.S. army remain to repress Japanese insurgents similar to 1903 Platt Amendment for Cuba
• $2 billion to Japan

Question 9

In what ways may U.S. reconstruction policies have been influenced by colonial systems of relief?

Answer 9

• Neo-colonial e.g. Famine Codes 1880 UK in India, U.S. actions with Native Americans
• Overgenerous assistance
• Have to meet conditions to get money
• Establishing the U.S. as a worldwide power