Understanding WWII and the Cold War: Key Events and Impacts
World War II
Causes:
- Crisis of 1929
- German desire for revenge
- Rise of fascist and totalitarian ideologies
Triggers:
- Berlin: Invasion of Austria and Czechoslovakia
- Rome: Invasion of Ethiopia
- Tokyo: Invasion of Manchuria; Hitler’s invasion of Poland
Contenders:
- Allies: France, Britain, USA, USSR
- Axis Powers: Italy, Germany, Japan
Peace Conference (1945):
- Establishment of the UN (United Nations) to promote peace and human rights.
- Declaration of Human Rights (1948).
- 1946: The USSR recovers Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and part of Poland.
- Italy and Japan lost their colonies and became dependent on the USA.
- Germany (and Berlin) was fragmented.
- Eastern Europe fell under Russian influence.
Consequences of the Conflict:
Political:
- Fall of totalitarian regimes and revitalization of democratic systems.
- Establishment of the International Political Court in Nuremberg.
Domestic:
- Europe lost its global hegemony, replaced by a new world order.
- The U.S. and USSR emerged as superpowers, leading to further state divisions.
Economic:
- Enormous destruction of fields, industries, infrastructure, and cities.
Demographic:
- Approximately 55 million war-related deaths.
- Millions dead and wounded, particularly affecting Russia, Germany, Poland, and the Jewish and Gypsy populations.
Division of the World: The Cold War
Two Superpowers:
- USA: Capitalism and free markets.
- Soviet Union: Communism and state-planned economy.
Areas of Influence:
Capitalist Bloc:
- NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
- Marshall Plan: Economic aid to capitalist Europe.
Communist Bloc:
- Warsaw Pact.
- CAME (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance).
World Map Blocks (Cold War):
- NATO countries: USA, etc.
- U.S. Allies: South America, Australia, Oceania, etc.
- Warsaw Pact: Soviet Union.
- Social Work (Under Soviet Influence).
- Neutral countries: Africa, etc.
Conflicts:
Guatemala, Cuba, Iraq, Lebanon, Greece, Hungary, Poland, GDR, Czechoslovakia, Vietnam, North Korea.
The Berlin Wall
- 120km long, built in 1961.
- Divided Berlin to prevent the population from fleeing East Berlin.
- Deep unease in the West, called the “Wall of Shame.”
- Became a symbol of the Cold War and the division of Germany.
End of the Cold War
- In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the Soviet Union.
- Soviet Union declared unilateral disarmament and recognized the right of countries in Afghanistan and Eastern Europe to choose their own path.
- Measures included:
- Arms reduction agreements with the U.S.
- Emergence of reform processes in Eastern European countries.
- End of communist rule.
- Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989).
- Disappearance of the USSR (1991), divided into 15 independent republics.
Causes of Decolonization
- Impact of World War II.
- Rise of nationalist movements in colonies.
- International support for decolonization.
Franco’s Political Supports
- Political:
- The Falange (Spanish Fascist Party): Social control and ideological propaganda.
- The military: Held key positions in the regime.
- Catholics: Members of Opus Dei.
- Monarchists.
- Social:
- Landowners.
- Industrialists.
- Middle class and apolitical workers.
Totalitarian System under Franco
- Franco concentrated executive power as head of state and government.
- He commanded the military and controlled the legislature and judiciary.
- Only one party and one (vertical) union were allowed.
- Fundamental laws were enacted.
Fundamental Laws under Franco
- Law of the Courts (1942): Established Francoist courts.
- Jurisdiction of the Spanish (1945): Focused on duties.
- Law of Succession (1947): Declared Spain a kingdom, with Franco as head of state until his death.
Francoist Opposition
- Exterior: Exiled republicans and monarchists.
- Interior: Maquis, socialists, anarchists, communists, Basque nationalists (ETA 1959), and Catalan nationalists.