The Profound International Impacts of WWII: Global Atrocities and Benefits

By: William Cheung

Background !   World War 1 left in its wake, a global period of reconstruction and

major financial burdens for many nations around the world. The end of the first international cataclysm concluded with numerous unsolved problems. Countries, namely Germany and Japan, felt the Treaty of Versailles was unfair and hindered its reconstruction efforts. In Germany, citizens were forced to cope with severe levels of poverty and a national economic/financial crisis, thus allowing the Nazi party to easily win the support of many. Coinciding with the establishment of the Nazi base, the Japanese Imperial government highly sought to institute a global empire, initiating the Sphere of Co-Prosperity design and an altered Imperial Policy. The Japanese desire to establish an era of international prominence, coupled with the vengeance plans by the Germans, powered the instigation of World War II, one of history’s most deadly battles.

Background: Paris Peace Conference

On the Brink of a Second

Global Catastrophe

Break out of War !   Global industrialization facilitated the influx in

technological innovations, leading to more advanced war techniques. Particularly evident in World War II, the 20th century saw the rise of a modern style of warfare termed, “total war,” where nations used any tactic or weapon to ensure victory. Though the second international war would not officially began for another 8 years, the Japanese conquest of Manchuria in 1931 was seen as an opening for conflicts within the Asian realm. On September 1, 1939, the opening of World War II was commenced, with the Nazi German invasion into Poland. Japan and Germany were both unhappy with the outcomes of the Treaty of Versailles and are considered the main provokers of f the war. By the late 1930’s, the aggressive ambitions of Hitler and Emperor Hirohito drew numerous nations into another devastating era.

Background: Adolf Hitler (Left) & Emperor Hirohito (Right)

The Proposal for Nazi Domination: Europe

Positive Impacts Like WWI, World War II left a monumental devastation to regions all over the European continent. In

addition to the complete breakdown of European Imperialistic order, social implications were left permanently altered.

!   One of the most positive outcomes of World War 2 was the much-needed reorganization in multiple countries. During this period of European reconstruction, the continent's previous dominance significantly diminished. While this was not a positive outcome for the Europeans, it enabled other countries to develop economically and socially.

!   After two global cataclysms, a new organization was founded in hopes in preventing future conflicts. Proving to be significantly more successful than the League of Nations, the United Nations remains in full operation today. The problems with the League of Nations were terminated, by the division of power to the most powerful nations (United Kingdom, France, United States, China, and USSR) during the establishment of the United Nations.

!   A major victory for women was gained in World War II. Due to the drastic decrease in laborers (e.g., men were drafted into the army) many women who had never held work occupations, began to replace the men in factories, offices, and farms. Through the experience of working, women gained a sense of self-confidence and desire to break away from the social limitations that had previously restricted their lifestyles.

An Evening Shot of the United Nations Complex, NYC

Adverse Effects !   Most German occupied nations were

extremely unhappy with the new sovereignty to Hitler and often retaliated with physical resistance, thus causing a small-scale civil war within the countries. Plagued with shortages in life necessities (i.e., medicine, food, housing) citizens would destroy German military installments power plants, railroads, and other important elements of the Nazi Empire. In response, the Nazis increased military presence and civil obedience severity. War left Europe with complete destruction, indefinite number of deaths, and utter pandemonium. One raid of the German city of Koenigsberg, resulted in one hundred and thirty-four thousand homeless citizens. Unparalleled to any genocide in global history, the mass persecution and murder of Jews and other minorities is almost unbelievable. An estimated six million Jews died in the Holocaust.

Ruins of Koenigsberg, Germany (Present day: Kaliningrad) after

British Air Raid

The Desire to Establish a Global Japanese Empire:

Asia

Due to the unhappy terms of the Treaty of Versailles, the Japanese Imperial Government set out to establish a reigning era of Japanese domination. Plans such as

the Sphere of Co-Prosperity and New Imperial Policy, imposed direct threats on nations within the Asian Realm.

The Profound Effects Positive Impacts

!   The Japanese conquest of the Indonesian archipelago and other South Asian countries marked the end of European colonial rule. Within two decades of the fall of Singapore, the entire European colonial order came to a collapse, allowing many nations to gain independence.

Adverse Effects

!   The powerful desire for conquest proved to be devastating to China and other Asian nations. One of the earliest attacks in China, coined Nanking Massacre, resulted in the small-scale genocide of the city’s inhabitants and complete demolition of city buildings. Through the war tactics in the Massacre, Japan proved deadly and willing to do whatever it took to establish an empire.

!   In hopes of concluding World War II, America utilized a new weapon never seen before. The United States dropped two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, On August 6th and 9th, respectively. While the weapon of mass destruction aided in ending the war more quickly, the hundreds of thousands were killed or severely injured.

A Collage of Pictures of the Nanking Massacre

WWII: Pacific Realm

The Bombing of Pearl Harbor:

The United States of America

Positive Impacts From the early stages of World War II, the United States sought to remain uninvolved

with the war; however, the bombing of Pearl Harbor left the nation with no choice, but to join.

!   The previous decade was marked with high unemployment rates, a stock market crash, and a severe economic downturn. With the high employments necessary to manufacture supplies for the food, the United States was brought out of the Great Depression by the war. Similar to Europe, women began to fill in the workforce spots, left vacant by men.

!   During World War 2, the number of government workers rose from 1 to 4 million and the finances heightened from 9 to 98.4 billion dollars. Expansion in the executive government enabled wide ranges of research and development projects. Though some see this as a negative effect, the invention of the atomic bomb was a milestone in human civilization. The United States became a technological advanced and urbanized nation through the effects of the global war.

Rosie the Riveter became a iconic image for Women in America

Adverse Effects !   Often ignored, the dramatic increase in open job positions came with negative consequences.

Because of the demand for labor, federal inspectors often ignored companies who employed teens and young children. As a result, the high school dropout rate exploded, with little public outcry. About one out of three million teen workforce, were high school dropouts.

!   In contrast to popular belief, poverty levels soared during the war. While wages were slowly rising, 25% of employed citizens earned less than 64 cents per hour. Low wages, coupled with the termination of New Deal Programs, led to an estimated 20 million citizens suffering from starvation and impoverishment.

!   Although the US economy was flourishing, the outrageous government spending on military expenditures, escalated federal deficits. Liberal senators tried to introduce bills widen the coverage of social security and health care, but the Congress chose military investments as a top priority.

Painting of one of the New Deal Programs Eradication of New Deal Programs led to impoverishment.

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