HY 1020 Western Civilization II Unit VI Study Guide

HY 1020, Western Civilization II 1 UNIT VI STUDY GUIDE World War II & Redefining the West after World War II

HY 1020, Western Civilization II 1 UNIT VI STUDY GUIDE World War II & Redefining the West after World War II Learning Objectives Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to: 1. Identify the expectations concerning war in the 1920s and 1930s. 2. Describe how European hopes and fears led to armed conflict in both Europe and Asia. 3. Explain how Nazi Germany conquered the continent of Europe by 1941. 4. Discuss why the Allies won in 1945. 5. Explain how and why the war against the Jews took place and what its consequences were. 6. Discuss what total war meant on the home front. 7. Explain why and how the world moved from World War II to the Cold War. 8. Discuss the impact of decolonization and the Cold War on the global balance of power. 9. Identify the patterns that characterized the history of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe after the death of Stalin. 10. Describe the patterns that characterized the history of Western Europe in the 1950s and 1960s.

Paper For Above instruction

World War II was a pivotal event that transformed the global order and redefined the Western world in profound ways. Its origins, progression, and aftermath are essential to understanding contemporary international relations and societal structures. This essay explores the causes of the war, the nature of total war, the factors behind Allied victory, the Holocaust, the transition to the Cold War, decolonization processes, and the socio-political developments in Europe and the Soviet Union during the postwar period.

The origins of World War II are rooted in the fragile peace established after World War I, primarily hindered by unresolved national ambitions, economic instability, and weak international institutions. The Treaty of Versailles (1919), meant to ensure lasting peace, instead sowed resentment, especially in Germany, which faced territorial losses and heavy reparations. The League of Nations, established to maintain peace, proved ineffective due to the absence of major powers like the United States and its inability to enforce decisions. The interwar period saw the rise of aggressive nationalism and expansionist policies, notably Nazi Germany's repudiation of the Versailles treaty and territorial annexations. Hitler’s ambitions for a Greater Germany, exemplified by rearmament, remilitarization of the Rhineland, Anschluss with Austria, and invasions of Czechoslovakia, directly challenged existing borders and international norms.

European hopes of appeasement culminated in the Munich Agreement (1938), which aimed to prevent conflict by conceding parts of Czechoslovakia to Germany. However, this policy failed, as Hitler’s subsequent invasion of Poland in 1939 triggered the war. The global conflict expanded with Japan’s imperial ambitions in Asia, leading to a multi-theater war involving major powers. The war was characterized by innovative military technologies, notably Blitzkrieg tactics, which allowed rapid, mechanized assaults that overwhelmed opponents early in the conflict.

Nazi Germany’s conquest of Europe by 1941, including the fall of France and the occupation of Eastern European countries, was driven by the strategic implementation of modern warfare and the ideological goal of territorial expansion. The ideological pursuit of Lebensraum (living space) was intertwined with racial ideologies, particularly anti-Semitism, which culminated in the Holocaust—the systematic genocide of six million Jews and other marginalized groups. The Holocaust remains one of the most heinous crimes in human history, with far-reaching consequences for international law, human rights, and collective memory.

The Allied victory in 1945 was the result of several intertwined factors, including the industrial and military superiority of the United States and the Soviet Union, effective military strategies, and the resilience of Allied nations. The division of labor on the home front, with American factories producing war supplies and the Soviet’s fierce Eastern front resistance, proved pivotal. The use of mass production, technological innovation, and strategic bombing played crucial roles. The war’s end also saw the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, marking the dawn of the nuclear age and raising questions about morality and power in international relations.

The aftermath of World War II ushered in the Cold War era, characterized by ideological confrontation between the capitalist West, led by the United States, and the communist East, dominated by the Soviet Union. The division of Europe by the Iron Curtain symbolized the emerging bipolar world order. The war accelerated decolonization, as European powers weakened and colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East sought independence. Many of these struggles became entangled with Cold War rivalries, leading to conflicts such as the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

The Soviet Union’s post-Stalin leadership was marked by efforts at de-Stalinization and reforms, yet the USSR maintained its authoritarian grip and pursued expansionist policies within Eastern Europe. The Cold War also spurred nuclear arms races, espionage, and proxy wars, which deeply affected global stability. In Western Europe, economic recovery was facilitated by initiatives like the Marshall Plan and the creation of institutions such as the European Economic Community, fostering integration and prosperity. The 1950s and 1960s in Western Europe were characterized by economic growth, societal changes, and the rise of a new political and cultural consciousness.

The cultural landscape was shaped by American influence, technological advancements, and internal dissent exemplified by movements like the New Left. Student protests, civil rights movements, and movements for social justice challenged established norms and called for greater participation and reforms. The Prague Spring of 1968 illustrated the limits of reform within the Soviet sphere of influence. Democracy took root in Western Europe, although political controversies and protests in the 1960s highlighted ongoing tensions.

In conclusion, the aftermath of World War II and the Cold War period were transformative for the Western world and beyond. They reshaped international power dynamics, spurred decolonization, influenced societal values, and sparked political and cultural revolutions. Understanding these developments is crucial to comprehending the modern world and the enduring impacts of one of history’s most devastating conflicts.

References

• Keylor, R. (2014). The Twentieth Century World: An International History. Oxford University Press.
• Macmillan, M. (2001). Peacemakers: The Paris Peace Conference of 1919 and Its Legacy. John Wiley & Sons.
• Overy, R. (2014). The Bombing War: Europe 1939-1945. Penguin.
• Welsh, R. (2014). The Holocaust: A New History. Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Gaddis, J. L. (2005). The Cold War: A New History. Penguin.
• Hobsbawm, E. (1994). The Age of Extremes: The Short Twentieth Century, 1914-1991. Michael Joseph.
• Hunt, L. (2007). The Cold War. Cambridge University Press.
• Harrison, M. (1988). The Economics of Decolonization. Cambridge University Press.
• Judt, T. (2005). Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945. Penguin Books.
• Fischer, S. (1995). The Great Depression: 1929 and Its Aftermath. HarperCollins.