Chapter 16 - World War II (1939-1945)



Chapter 16 - World War II (1939-1945)

Section 5 - Europe and Japan in Ruins

Main Idea- WWII cost millions of human lives and billions of dollars in damages. It left Europe and Japan in ruins.

Why It Matters Now- The U.S. survived WWII undamaged, allowing it to become a world leader.

Notes:

I. Setting the Stage

A. After 6 years of war, Allies finally achieved victory at a high price

II. Devastation in Europe

A. Many major cities in Europe were left untouched, but other were completely destroyed

1. People stayed where they were during the bombings

B. Many refugees were homeless and the new treaties left people without a country

C. 1,000’s die from starvation and disease

III. Postwar Governments and Politics

A. Most Europeans blamed their wartime governments for WWII

1. Had to find a new government

a) Communists promised change (started to strike all over the country)

b) Others did not like commies style and went democratic

B. Nuremberg Trials- tried 22 Nazi leaders

1. International Military Tribunal (23 nations) did the sentencing

a) Hung criminals and then burned bodies in former concentration camp

IV. Postwar Japan

A. Gen. Douglas MacArthur- accepted the Japanese surrender and then also headed the occupation of Japan

B. Tried to be fair and started a few programs:

1. Demilitarization- split up the Japanese army (only left small group of police)

2. Had war criminal trials

3. Democratization- creating a government elected by the people

a) created a new constitution for Japan

4. Broke up large land holdings

V. Occupation Brings Deep Changes

A. Emperor not “DIVINE,” or godly

B. Diet (Japanese parliament) elected

C. Article 9- Japan can no longer make war…AT ALL

Nuremberg judges

[pic]

Nuremberg Trials. Defendants in their dock. The main target of the prosecution was Hermann Göring (at the left edge on the first row of benches)

[pic]

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download