The World from 1945-1950 Flashcards
The most evident striking new feature of the world from 1945
USA IS THE STRONGEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
The military and political role of the US not only in certain parts of the world but globally.
- military budget was tripled;
- Rio Treaty and NATO were established (leading role of the US);
- occupation of Germany, Japan, Italy, and Austria;
- bases were established in many different parts of the world;
- starting from 1950 (Korean War) the US took an active part in reshaping Asia.
USA after WWII
THE USA IS THE STRONGEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
- economic prosperity (almost half of the world’s production of goods and services)
- with 6% of the world’s population 46% of the world’s electricity supply, 48% of radios, 54% of telephones, controlled 59% of oil reserves.
- until 1949 monopoly on nuclear weapons (after that still a technological leader over the USSR)
- world’s strongest air force and leading navy
USSR after WWII
USSR power was not compatible with the USA.
- enormous losses during the war
- lost 25 million of the population
- steel production cut in half
- agriculture suffered as well
- superpower primarily in terms of military strength (esp. a number of men)
- ideological strength
- less comprehensive geographical expansion compared to the US, however in the important areas it was more firmly established
Soviet expansion after WWII
Increase in territory —> Baltic countries, Eastern Karelia and Petsamo, the eastern parts of prewar Poland and Northern part of East Prussia, Carpathian Ukraine, Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina, South Sakhalin, Kurile islands.
Europe was the most important for Kremlin (they insisted on virtually complete control of the large parts of Eastern Europe). Also improved positions in Asia (because of North Korea and North Vietnam)
Little support for the revolution in China, however, established a 30 years alliance.
The first crack in the communist bloc - 1948 between Stalin and Yugoslavian leader Tito
The Old Great Powers after the WWII
1 - Germany
Much of it lay in ruins. Divided into zones controlled by the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union. By this the German problem was solved - Germany should never be allowed to be strong enough to dominate Europe.
For a long time, it was thought to keep Germany demilitarized, but with the escalation between powers, they started to compete in their support of Germany.
2 - The US occupation policy. Same as with Germany it has to stay weak not to be able to start another war.
Japan is not allowed to have military forces (included in the constitution)
3 - The UK - Less focus on world politics and more on domestic affairs. The UK was considered a 3rd major power, however, its position was weakened because of the cost of the war (3 billion pounds). Experiencing economic difficulties asked the USA for help.
4 - France suffered a humiliating defeat in 1940, and could never return to previous positions in world politics.
- advocated for concordant western Europe under french leadership. (barriers - 1) british mild interest, 2) the role of Germany)
The major powers didn’t have any intentions of freeing their colonies.
The USA in Europe
In 1948-49 the European countries started to put more pressure on the USA to play a more active role in the military sphere in Europe.
Western Europe feared the US will return to the previous isolationism which would be extremely harmful.
The disruption had been great as well as a need for economic assistance.
Europe needed a counterpart to the local Soviet dominance and only the USA could provide it.
