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USII.7a Rebuilding
Europe & Japan; |
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The student will demonstrate knowledge of the economic, social, and
political transformation of the United States and the world between the
end of World War II and the present by a) describing the rebuilding of Europe and Japan after World War II, the emergence of the United States as a superpower, and the establishment of the United Nations. |
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How did the United States help rebuild postwar Europe and Japan? |
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Learning from the mistakes of the past, the United States accepted its role as a world superpower, helping to rebuild Europe and Japan and taking the leading role in establishing the United Nations. |
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Europe was in ruins following World War II. Soviet forces occupied most of
Eastern and Central Europe and the eastern portion of Germany. The United
States felt it was in its best interest to rebuild Europe and prevent
political and economic instability. Rebuilding efforts • The United States instituted George C. Marshall’s plan to rebuild Europe (the Marshall Plan), which provided massive financial aid to rebuild European economies and prevent the spread of communism. • Germany was partitioned into East and West Germany. West Germany became democratic and resumed self-government after a few years of American, British, and French occupation. East Germany remained under the domination of the Soviet Union and did not adopt democratic institutions. |
• Following its defeat, Japan was occupied by American
forces. It soon adopted a democratic form of government, resumed
self-government, and became a strong ally of the United States. Establishment of the United Nations • The United Nations was formed near the end of World War II to create a body for the nations of the world to try to prevent future global wars. |