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With a death toll of 60 million, Europe alone was devastated due to the fact that a large majority of the fighting occurred there. Japan was left with 2 million deaths, many from the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Side effects from the bombing, included a lot of radiation poisoning to those who weren't even directly in the area of the bombing. Cities were destroyed and left in rubble by all of the bombs, and the capital city of Tokyo was in ruin. As for Europe, practically everything was destroyed, since most of the fighting occurred there. Some cities were spared, like Rome, Paris and Brussels, however Eastern Europe and Germany were where most of the destruction occurred. Two thirds of the death during World War II occurred in Europe. The deaths in Warsaw were unspeakable, at 1,289 million people when the Soviets first invaded, only to have 153 thousand left after the war. Berlin was 95% destroyed due to bombings. There were no houses, running water, food or electricity, no jobs and no where to go. The people of Europe were stranded, and they sought shelter and life else where, fleeing their what once was their city.
As for justice, the Nuremberg Trials were held. These trials were set up to prosecute Nazi war criminals, and in the first trial 22 Nazis were charged with starting an aggressive war, responsibility for inhumane crimes and lastly, violating the laws of war it self. 12 of the 22 were death sentenced. Following, Japan had something similar to the Nuremberg Trials, where 25 military officials were charged, and 7 of them were hung. Japan was also demilitarized, left with only a small police force. Their economy too, was very weak. Lastly, the old order of Japan, was changed and democratized. The emperor could no longer be called an emperor, instead, a constitutional monarch. Other changes included the rule that Japan could never again start a war, unless provoked and attacked. In September, 1951, a peace treaty was signed between the U.S. and 48 other nations, with Japan. This was the official end of the war, and the occupation soon ended 6-months after. With rubble filled home-land and a new form of government, Japan was now forced to start a-new, in the best ways possible.
As for justice, the Nuremberg Trials were held. These trials were set up to prosecute Nazi war criminals, and in the first trial 22 Nazis were charged with starting an aggressive war, responsibility for inhumane crimes and lastly, violating the laws of war it self. 12 of the 22 were death sentenced. Following, Japan had something similar to the Nuremberg Trials, where 25 military officials were charged, and 7 of them were hung. Japan was also demilitarized, left with only a small police force. Their economy too, was very weak. Lastly, the old order of Japan, was changed and democratized. The emperor could no longer be called an emperor, instead, a constitutional monarch. Other changes included the rule that Japan could never again start a war, unless provoked and attacked. In September, 1951, a peace treaty was signed between the U.S. and 48 other nations, with Japan. This was the official end of the war, and the occupation soon ended 6-months after. With rubble filled home-land and a new form of government, Japan was now forced to start a-new, in the best ways possible.
the ten best articles
1. Nuremberg: Nazis on Trial By Prof. Richard Overy- The Nuremberg trials were created for Nazi soldiers, and/or officials to receive punishment for the crimes in which they committed during the war. There were 21-22 (sources vary) soldiers put on trial. One, Hermann Goering, who was the heir to the Nazi empire, committed suicide, just like his predecessor Hitler. "The charges laid at their door were extraordinary. They were collectively accused of conspiring to wage war, and committing crimes against peace, crimes against humanity (including the newly defined crime of genocide) and war crimes in the ordinary sense (abuse and murder of prisoners, killing of civilians and so on). This catalog of sin was difficult for many of the defendants to come to terms with."
2. European Refugee Movements After World War Two By Bernard Wasserstine- As the war came to an end, many Jewish, German, and other Easter Europeans needed to seek refuge elsewhere, because their cities were in rubble. Many people had no families to go to, or just no home to return to, because now it was just a pile of bricks. In addition, many Germans were fleeing, but then died on the way. German farms were also being given to Some of the people who left those eastern countries were recent arrivals, who had been settled in German-conquered territories by the Nazis as part of their long-term plan for German domination of eastern Europe. However, most of those being expelled came of stock whose ancestors had been settled in the eastern lands for generations, and who knew no other place as home."
3. After WWII, Europe Was A 'Savage Continent' Of Devastation: The amount of damage done to the Jewish people during World War II is unspeakable. Even after the war, they suffered, with no family, and no home to go home to. Not only the Jews, but all of Europe suffered much devastation after this war, especially the German people who were hated and blamed, once again. "There were expulsions all over Europe. You see, the different nationalities around Europe who were found, or perceived to have collaborated with the Germans were not really welcome in countries where there were minorities. So you have Hungarians in Slovakia, you have Ukrainians in Poland, they wanted to expel them."
4. Making Justice at Nuremberg, 1945 - 1946 By Prof. Richard Overy- There is a remaining question of whether or not the Nuremberg trials made any difference, or made an impact on the Nazi soldiers, as well as pleased the public for all the Nazi's caused. Even now, there is still speculation on what impact the trials left, and how it is apparent, or lack there of, today. "The long time-span exposed many of the problems inherent in the whole process. The right to defence produced endless arguments about jurisdiction and responsibility in the governing structures of the Third Reich. The legal squabbles, while in themselves an indication that the Tribunal was no kangaroo court, tried public patience."
5. Occupation and Reconstruction of Japan, 1945–52- Japan was occupied after World War II, and much of their military, politics, economy and societal ways were changed by the US. "The first phase, roughly from the end of the war in 1945 through 1947, involved the most fundamental changes for the Japanese Government and society. The Allies punished Japan for its past militarism and expansion by convening war crimes trials in Tokyo. At the same time, SCAP dismantled the Japanese army and banned former military officers from taking roles of political leadership in the new government. In the economic field, SCAP (Supreme command of Allied Powers) introduced land reform, designed to benefit the majority tenant farmers and reduce the power of rich landowners, many of whom had advocated for war and supported Japanese expansionism in the 1930s."
6. Displaced Persons: After World War II, many Jews had no where to go. As they were released from the camps, their homes were destroyed, families killed, leaving them to fend for themselves and rebuild their lives in a city of rubble. " With over 80,000 Jewish DPs in the United States, about 136,000 in Israel, and another 20,000 in other nations, including Canada and South Africa, the DP emigration crisis came to an end. Almost all of the DP camps were closed by 1952. The Jewish displaced persons began new lives in their new homelands around the world."
7. The Struggle for Poland: Poland really struggled during World War II. The invasion of their land was the start of the War, and much of the country was destroyed by war and left in rubble. Also, the Poles suffered from Nazi bullying. "At thePotsdam conference in the summer of 1945, Great Britain, the United States, and the USSR agreed to new postwar borders for Poland as outlined by Churchill. The Polish people had no say in the matter."
8. Post WWII: Germany: Death toll and casualty rate was high. "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."
9. Post WWII: Poland: Poland at one point was the epicenter of destruction during the war. It was split when conquered by both Germany and the Soviet Union, so after the war they had to recover from that. However, that wasn't entirely the case, for they were not completely free after the war."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."
10. What economic conditions existed in Europe after World War II? Here you will find a short breakdown of the economic disaster that plagued Europe after the war, and what was done to try and help it by the U.S. "In 1948, Congress passed the Economic Assistance Act, which led to the establishment of the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP), better known as the Marshall Plan. Upon signing the bill, President Harry Truman wrote, 'Few presidents have had the opportunity to sign legislation of such importance. ... This measure is America's answer to the challenge facing the free world today.'"
2. European Refugee Movements After World War Two By Bernard Wasserstine- As the war came to an end, many Jewish, German, and other Easter Europeans needed to seek refuge elsewhere, because their cities were in rubble. Many people had no families to go to, or just no home to return to, because now it was just a pile of bricks. In addition, many Germans were fleeing, but then died on the way. German farms were also being given to Some of the people who left those eastern countries were recent arrivals, who had been settled in German-conquered territories by the Nazis as part of their long-term plan for German domination of eastern Europe. However, most of those being expelled came of stock whose ancestors had been settled in the eastern lands for generations, and who knew no other place as home."
3. After WWII, Europe Was A 'Savage Continent' Of Devastation: The amount of damage done to the Jewish people during World War II is unspeakable. Even after the war, they suffered, with no family, and no home to go home to. Not only the Jews, but all of Europe suffered much devastation after this war, especially the German people who were hated and blamed, once again. "There were expulsions all over Europe. You see, the different nationalities around Europe who were found, or perceived to have collaborated with the Germans were not really welcome in countries where there were minorities. So you have Hungarians in Slovakia, you have Ukrainians in Poland, they wanted to expel them."
4. Making Justice at Nuremberg, 1945 - 1946 By Prof. Richard Overy- There is a remaining question of whether or not the Nuremberg trials made any difference, or made an impact on the Nazi soldiers, as well as pleased the public for all the Nazi's caused. Even now, there is still speculation on what impact the trials left, and how it is apparent, or lack there of, today. "The long time-span exposed many of the problems inherent in the whole process. The right to defence produced endless arguments about jurisdiction and responsibility in the governing structures of the Third Reich. The legal squabbles, while in themselves an indication that the Tribunal was no kangaroo court, tried public patience."
5. Occupation and Reconstruction of Japan, 1945–52- Japan was occupied after World War II, and much of their military, politics, economy and societal ways were changed by the US. "The first phase, roughly from the end of the war in 1945 through 1947, involved the most fundamental changes for the Japanese Government and society. The Allies punished Japan for its past militarism and expansion by convening war crimes trials in Tokyo. At the same time, SCAP dismantled the Japanese army and banned former military officers from taking roles of political leadership in the new government. In the economic field, SCAP (Supreme command of Allied Powers) introduced land reform, designed to benefit the majority tenant farmers and reduce the power of rich landowners, many of whom had advocated for war and supported Japanese expansionism in the 1930s."
6. Displaced Persons: After World War II, many Jews had no where to go. As they were released from the camps, their homes were destroyed, families killed, leaving them to fend for themselves and rebuild their lives in a city of rubble. " With over 80,000 Jewish DPs in the United States, about 136,000 in Israel, and another 20,000 in other nations, including Canada and South Africa, the DP emigration crisis came to an end. Almost all of the DP camps were closed by 1952. The Jewish displaced persons began new lives in their new homelands around the world."
7. The Struggle for Poland: Poland really struggled during World War II. The invasion of their land was the start of the War, and much of the country was destroyed by war and left in rubble. Also, the Poles suffered from Nazi bullying. "At thePotsdam conference in the summer of 1945, Great Britain, the United States, and the USSR agreed to new postwar borders for Poland as outlined by Churchill. The Polish people had no say in the matter."
8. Post WWII: Germany: Death toll and casualty rate was high. "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."
9. Post WWII: Poland: Poland at one point was the epicenter of destruction during the war. It was split when conquered by both Germany and the Soviet Union, so after the war they had to recover from that. However, that wasn't entirely the case, for they were not completely free after the war."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."
10. What economic conditions existed in Europe after World War II? Here you will find a short breakdown of the economic disaster that plagued Europe after the war, and what was done to try and help it by the U.S. "In 1948, Congress passed the Economic Assistance Act, which led to the establishment of the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP), better known as the Marshall Plan. Upon signing the bill, President Harry Truman wrote, 'Few presidents have had the opportunity to sign legislation of such importance. ... This measure is America's answer to the challenge facing the free world today.'"
Have a watch… Listen to the past
Devastation in Tokyo After World War II- Richard Kosaki
A short first hand experience of Mr. Kosaki, when arriving in Tokyo with a friend of his.
A short first hand experience of Mr. Kosaki, when arriving in Tokyo with a friend of his.
How was Germany affected after World War 2, in their British occupied area of their country? Watch this to find out.
With their parents dead, how did the many orphans of Post World War II live and struggle to survive?
The real thing...
HOMMA ARRAIGNED ON GRAVE CHARGES; Japanese in Manila Pleads Not Guilty of Murder and Torture of 80,735 Second Charge Revealed Homma Fluent in English (December 19, 1945):
This is an article from the NYT, addressing a Japanese Lieutenant General stationed in Manila, who pleaded not guilty in a trial which accused of murder and torture of 80,735, and possibly more, Filipinos. His crimes range from purposeless murder, rape, and destruction of public and religious buildings. Also, it is news at this time that he knows fluent English. "MANILA, Wednesday, Dec. 19-- Masaharu Homma, who as a lieutenant general of the Japanese Army conquered Bataan and Corregidor in 1942, pleaded not guilty to war criminal charges when he was arraigned before a United..."
Massive destruction in Europe of a once architecturally great continent:
Pictures of the damage and destruction in Europe post WWII. "Couple Walk Through Ruins of St. Lo France: A civilian couple walks through ruins of the heavily bombed ruins in the city of St. Lo, France, August 1944. (Photo Credit: Getty)"
1-5 U.S Initial post-Surrender Policy from Japan: This article recollects what was planned to be accomplished during the occupation of Japan by the U.S. It was expected by the U.S. that the Japanese reforms would come voluntarily to yet again avoid external harsh pressure from advancing surrounding nations. "The ultimate goals of the occupation were to establish a peacefully inclined and responsible government, and to assure the government would be established by the freely expressed will of the Japanese people."
This is an article from the NYT, addressing a Japanese Lieutenant General stationed in Manila, who pleaded not guilty in a trial which accused of murder and torture of 80,735, and possibly more, Filipinos. His crimes range from purposeless murder, rape, and destruction of public and religious buildings. Also, it is news at this time that he knows fluent English. "MANILA, Wednesday, Dec. 19-- Masaharu Homma, who as a lieutenant general of the Japanese Army conquered Bataan and Corregidor in 1942, pleaded not guilty to war criminal charges when he was arraigned before a United..."
Massive destruction in Europe of a once architecturally great continent:
Pictures of the damage and destruction in Europe post WWII. "Couple Walk Through Ruins of St. Lo France: A civilian couple walks through ruins of the heavily bombed ruins in the city of St. Lo, France, August 1944. (Photo Credit: Getty)"
1-5 U.S Initial post-Surrender Policy from Japan: This article recollects what was planned to be accomplished during the occupation of Japan by the U.S. It was expected by the U.S. that the Japanese reforms would come voluntarily to yet again avoid external harsh pressure from advancing surrounding nations. "The ultimate goals of the occupation were to establish a peacefully inclined and responsible government, and to assure the government would be established by the freely expressed will of the Japanese people."