Post-War EuropePost-War Europe

© 2011Clairmont Press

The ChallengesThe Challenges

The challenges facing Post War Europe were The challenges facing Post War Europe were daunting:daunting:

•Rebuild an entire continent devastated by Rebuild an entire continent devastated by total wartotal war

•Agreement between two rival ideologies:Agreement between two rival ideologies:• Capitalism and CommunismCapitalism and Communism• The future of GermanyThe future of Germany

•Ensure future peace and prosperity for citizensEnsure future peace and prosperity for citizens• The United NationsThe United Nations

•Protection of the JewsProtection of the Jews• The establishment of Israel as a Jewish stateThe establishment of Israel as a Jewish state

Rebuilding EuropeRebuilding Europe• The United States had sacrificed The United States had sacrificed

significantly but had not been significantly but had not been invaded, bombed, or lost many invaded, bombed, or lost many civilians and was in a better position civilians and was in a better position to aid the European recovery effort.to aid the European recovery effort.

• The countries of Europe would turn The countries of Europe would turn to the United States for investment, to the United States for investment, security, and for raw materials to security, and for raw materials to rebuild.rebuild.• The Marshall PlanThe Marshall Plan

• The Soviet Union focused on Eastern The Soviet Union focused on Eastern Europe. Europe.

• The Soviet Union refused to leave The Soviet Union refused to leave conquered lands in Eastern Europe. conquered lands in Eastern Europe.

• They moved quickly to help rebuild They moved quickly to help rebuild but also instituted communist but also instituted communist regimes across Eastern Europe.regimes across Eastern Europe.

GermanyGermany• Germany was divided into four Germany was divided into four

major zones amongst the Allied major zones amongst the Allied Powers.Powers.

• The capital of Berlin was also The capital of Berlin was also divided along the same zones.divided along the same zones.

• This would shape the future of This would shape the future of Germany for the next 44 years.Germany for the next 44 years.

• Look at the map to the right to Look at the map to the right to examine the different divisionsexamine the different divisions

• Click here to view larger map..

The United NationsThe United Nations• On June 26, 1945 with victory On June 26, 1945 with victory

within sight, the Allied Powers within sight, the Allied Powers moved to establish a world moved to establish a world organization to promote peace organization to promote peace amongst nations.amongst nations.

• The United Nations was The United Nations was created.created.

• Allied members and eventually Allied members and eventually other nations were allowed to other nations were allowed to voice concerns in hopes of voice concerns in hopes of promoting peace.promoting peace.

• The United Nations is The United Nations is headquartered in New York headquartered in New York City on land donated by John City on land donated by John D. Rockefeller. D. Rockefeller.

Establishment of IsraelEstablishment of Israel

• After World War II there was a massive After World War II there was a massive refugee crisis; children survivors were refugee crisis; children survivors were left with little to no family at all. left with little to no family at all.

• Most Jews were not allowed to or were Most Jews were not allowed to or were unwilling to return to Eastern Europe unwilling to return to Eastern Europe because of continued anti-Semitism. because of continued anti-Semitism.

• Many homes had been simply taken Many homes had been simply taken over, their belongings were stolen, over, their belongings were stolen, they had nowhere to live.they had nowhere to live.

• The issue of Palestine was turned over The issue of Palestine was turned over to the United Nations in 1947 and two to the United Nations in 1947 and two states were created; one Jewish and states were created; one Jewish and one Arab. The Arabic countries did not one Arab. The Arabic countries did not accept this.accept this.

• The Jewish leaders quickly moved to The Jewish leaders quickly moved to create a modern state after British create a modern state after British troops withdrew in 1949.troops withdrew in 1949.