EASTERN & western europe responded to the changed landscape politically, socially, and economically
Eastern Europe's political Response:
The Soviets desired to secure Eastern Europe through military force
- Communist governments were installed in Eastern European countries by Russia, including Poland. “The Soviets rigged the post-war election to ensure the installation of a communist government. Poland would remain under Soviet control/influence until the collapse of the USSR in 1990” (Worldology, LLC., 2009)
- According to Worldology, LLC. (2009), “the USSR takes advantage, setting up communist governments in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Romania and Bulgaria. The Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are simply added directly to the Soviet Union.”
- Some of the effects of this were:
o Many countries in Eastern Europe came under Soviet influence, which ensured a post-war communist government
o USSR becomes a leading world power; it is strengthened as other European countries are weakened
o USSR retains possession of Lithuania and Latvia
- Communist governments were installed in Eastern European countries by Russia, including Poland. “The Soviets rigged the post-war election to ensure the installation of a communist government. Poland would remain under Soviet control/influence until the collapse of the USSR in 1990” (Worldology, LLC., 2009)
- According to Worldology, LLC. (2009), “the USSR takes advantage, setting up communist governments in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Romania and Bulgaria. The Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are simply added directly to the Soviet Union.”
- Some of the effects of this were:
o Many countries in Eastern Europe came under Soviet influence, which ensured a post-war communist government
o USSR becomes a leading world power; it is strengthened as other European countries are weakened
o USSR retains possession of Lithuania and Latvia
eastern europe's social response:
After World War II, much of Eastern Europe was devastated
EASTERN EUROPE's economic response:
western europe's Political response:
- Political and economic systems in Western European countries were permanently altered.
- The resurrection of capitalism was embraced by Communist Party leaders in Western European countries (Marxist.org, n.d.)
- The resurrection of capitalism was embraced by Communist Party leaders in Western European countries (Marxist.org, n.d.)
o “France was irreversibly weakened, economically, militarily and psychologically. With increasing anti-colonial sentiment within France and throughout the world, colonies began to demand independence. Unlike the United Kingdom, France was resistant to granting independence to colonies, and fought to maintain its empire, resulting in long, violent conflicts, such as the war with Algeria. In the end, all French colonies would attain independence.”
o “Germany was utterly devastated. Allied fighter jets carpet bombed cities, killing many, including civilians. Many were forced to fight to defend nation, leading to high loss of life. The nation was financially destroyed, due to the Nazi's desperate spending to feed the war machine, even down to the final days. Its captors partitioned the nation, tightly controlling all aspects of life in Germany, while also implementing punitive sanctions. The nation was also disgraced due to the atrocities carried out, especially the Holocaust. Germany and its citizens basically had to start over from less than nothing. Germany would not be unified again until 1990.”
o “Germany was utterly devastated. Allied fighter jets carpet bombed cities, killing many, including civilians. Many were forced to fight to defend nation, leading to high loss of life. The nation was financially destroyed, due to the Nazi's desperate spending to feed the war machine, even down to the final days. Its captors partitioned the nation, tightly controlling all aspects of life in Germany, while also implementing punitive sanctions. The nation was also disgraced due to the atrocities carried out, especially the Holocaust. Germany and its citizens basically had to start over from less than nothing. Germany would not be unified again until 1990.”
western Europe's social response:
- The effects of the war had a large impact on society. “Many, including young children, would personally witness the horrors of war as battles and bombing took place in the very areas where they lived. Horrendous crimes against humanity were committed” (Carleton University Center for European Studies, n.d.).
western europe's economic response:
Many Western European countries introduced welfare policies based on the Marshall Plan, which, “under the Marshall Plan the US provided 'friendly' governments in Europe with $17,000 million in investment between 1948 and 1952 and succeeded in stimulating the reconstruction of capitalism” (Marxist.org, n.d.) |
reference: jaimie GafFney
Carleton University Center for European Studies. (n.d.). The Reconstruction of Europe. Retrieved on July 7, 2016 from http://carleton.ca/ces/eulearning/history/europe-after-wwii/the-reconstruction-of-europe/
Marxist.org. (n.d.). The Aftermath of the Second World War. Retrieved on July 7, 2016 from https://www.marxists.org/subject/stalinism/origins-future/ch2-1.htm
Worldology, LLC. (2009). Effect of World War II on Each Country. Retrieved on July 7, 2016 from http://www.worldology.com/Europe/world_war_2_effect.htm
Marxist.org. (n.d.). The Aftermath of the Second World War. Retrieved on July 7, 2016 from https://www.marxists.org/subject/stalinism/origins-future/ch2-1.htm
Worldology, LLC. (2009). Effect of World War II on Each Country. Retrieved on July 7, 2016 from http://www.worldology.com/Europe/world_war_2_effect.htm