An examination of the end of the war, the post-war reconstruction and rebuilding of Europe, and the establishment of the United Nations.
Yalta Conference: A meeting between the leaders of the Allied powers to discuss the division of Germany and the post-war restructuring of Europe.
Potsdam Conference: A meeting between the Allied leaders to discuss the implementation of war reparations on Germany and the post-war occupation of the defeated nation.
Nuremberg Trials: A series of war crime trials that took place after WWII to hold Nazi leaders accountable for the atrocities committed during the war.
The Cold War: The political and military tension between the Western powers (led by the United States) and the Eastern powers (led by the Soviet Union) that emerged after WWII.
The Marshall Plan: A US-sponsored program that provided economic aid to Western European countries to help rebuild after the war.
Decolonization: The process of former colonies gaining independence from their European colonial powers in the aftermath of WWII.
United Nations: An international organization created after WWII to promote cooperation and prevent another world war.
Berlin Blockade/Airlift: The blockade of West Berlin by the Soviet Union and the subsequent airlift of supplies to the city by the Western powers.
Formation of NATO: The creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance between the US and Western European nations to counter the threat of Soviet expansion.
Korean War: A conflict between North and South Korea that emerged in the aftermath of WWII and became a proxy war between the US and Soviet Union.
Formation of the Warsaw Pact: A military alliance between the Soviet Union and Eastern European nations in response to the formation of NATO.
European Integration: The process of European countries coming together to form a more unified political and economic entity, including the creation of the European Union.
Nuclear Arms Race: A competition between the US and Soviet Union to build up their nuclear arsenals, which became a hallmark of the Cold War era.
Immigration/Displacement: The movement of displaced persons and refugees in the aftermath of WWII, including the resettlement of Holocaust survivors and the migration of people from former colonies to European countries.
War Reparations: The payment of money, resources, and other forms of compensation to countries affected by WWII, including Germany's payment of reparations to Jewish Holocaust survivors.
Post-war Economic Boom: The period of rapid economic growth and prosperity that occurred after WWII, particularly in Western Europe and the US.
Post-War Japan: The rebuilding and democratization of Japan after its surrender in WWII, including the adoption of a new constitution and the establishment of democratic government.
Post-War Germany: The division of Germany into East and West after WWII, including the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic.
Women in the Workforce: The increased participation of women in the workforce after WWII, as a result of labor shortages and changing social attitudes.
PTSD and the Impact on Veterans: The psychological impact of combat on soldiers who served in WWII, including the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Surrender: The formal agreement of a country or armed forces to cease fighting and accept the terms of an adversary.
Occupation: The control and administration of a defeated country by a victor country or its allies following the end of the war.
Reparations: Payment or compensatory measures imposed on a defeated country for the damage, injuries, or losses it caused during the war.
War Crimes Trials: The trial and punishment of individuals or groups for crimes against humanity, war crimes, or genocide.
Disarmament: The reduction or elimination of a country's military forces and equipment as part of a peace agreement.
Demobilization: The process of discharging military personnel from active service and returning them to civilian life.
Refugees: The displacement of individuals or groups from their homes and countries due to war, persecution, or conflict.
Restitution: The return of seized property, assets, or goods to their rightful owners after their confiscation during the war.
Cold War: The ideological, political, and military tensions between the capitalist West and the communist East that emerged after World War II.
Marshall Plan: The initiative by the United States to provide financial aid and support to Western European countries to aid in their post-war recovery and prevent the spread of communism.
Decolonization: The process of dismantling the colonial empires of Western powers and granting independence to their colonies.
Allied Occupation of Germany: The control and administration of defeated Germany by the Allied Powers following its surrender.
Formation of the United Nations: The establishment of an international organization aimed at promoting peace, security, and cooperation among its member states.
Potsdam Conference: A meeting of the Allied leaders in Potsdam, Germany in 1945 to discuss the post-war settlement, including the reconstruction of Europe, disarmament, and the punishment of German war criminals.
Yalta Conference: A meeting of the Allied leaders in Yalta, Russia in 1945 to plan for the post-war world, with discussions focused on the division and control of Germany, the punishment of war criminals, and the establishment of the United Nations.