Waning World War II and Post-War Plans (1945)

Introduction

• Overview of Allies' plans for the post-war world in Europe and the Pacific.
• Impact of World War II on America.

Key Conferences in 1945

Yalta Conference (February 1945)

• Location: Crimea.
• Attendees: Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin.
• Declaration of Liberated Europe:
  • Plan for post-war Germany and areas conquered by Germany.
  • Proposal to split Germany into occupied zones by Allied powers (eventual division among four powers).
  • Controversy over Eastern Europe; Stalin's promise for democratic elections not fulfilled.
  • Soviet commitment to join Pacific War post-German surrender.

Potsdam Conference (July-August 1945)

• Location: Germany.
• Changes in leadership since Yalta:
  • Roosevelt replaced by Truman.
  • Churchill replaced by Clement Attlee during conference.
  • Stalin remained.
• Outcomes:
  • Formalization of German occupation zones (Soviet, British, American, French).
  • Potsdam Declaration outlined terms for Japanese surrender including threat of destruction (implied nuclear threat).
  • Plans for war criminal tribunals.

Post-War Europe

Germany

• Division into East and West Germany:
  • West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany, democratic) and East Germany (German Democratic Republic, communist).
• Denazification: Removal of Nazi references and symbols.
• Nuremberg Trials: Prosecution of Nazi leaders.
• Operation Paperclip: Recruitment of Nazi scientists by the US, notably Wernher von Braun.
• Economic reforms: Introduction of Deutschmark, strong economic recovery.

Japan

• Official surrender on September 2, 1945.
• US Occupation:
  • Mainland Japan (1945-1952), Korean Peninsula south of 38th parallel, Okinawa.
  • Douglas MacArthur led the occupation.
• Political Reforms:
  • Emperor Hirohito retained but with renounced divine status.
  • Abolishment of state Shinto religion.
  • 1947 Constitution promoting pacifism.
  • Establishment of Japan Self-Defense Force.
• Economic recovery and development into a liberal democracy.

Impact on the United States

• Emergence as a superpower with significant global influence.
• Key role in creating the United Nations, headquartered in New York.
• Economic adjustments post-war: Minor recession with unemployment ranging between 4-7%.

Conclusion

• Discussion points for students and encouragement to ask questions.
• Transition to future topics like the Cold War.