1. World War II Conferences & The
Results of World War II
The Beginnings of the UN, the Cold
War, and International Trade

2. Atlantic Charter Aug. 1941

3. Accomplished
• Post war world.
• “…all men in all lands may live out their
lives in freedom from fear and want.”
• A system of “general security” (collective).

4. Casablanca Conference Jan. 1943

5. Accomplished
• Unconditional surrender of the Axis Powers.

6. Cairo Conference Nov. 1943

7. Accomplished
• Unconditional surrender of Japan.
• Chiang Kai-shek, Nationalist China leader
(head of Kumintang).
• Independence of Korea.

8. Teheran Conference Dec. 1943

9. Accomplished
• Allied plans against Germany
• First for Big Three
• Soviet involvement against Japan.
• Iran’s independence.

10. Yalta Conference Feb. 1945

13. Accomplished
• European stability.
• Division of Germany.
• Prosecution of criminals
• Poland.
• UN.
• USSR against Japan.

14. Potsdam Conference July, 1945

15. Accomplished
• Atlee and Truman are new.
• Four power control over Germany.
• Disagreements over “spheres of influence”.
• Disagreements over Polish question, fate of
Germany.
• Cold War begins.

18. Results of World War II
• Political:
– End of fascism, but still in Spain & Portugal
– Bipolar world
– Territorial changes:
• Russia gains
• Japan loses (occupied by USA)
• Italy loses
• Germany divided (occupied by four powers)
• Austria divided (as Germany) 1955 made whole

19. – Cold War starts:
• Western allies demobilize in Europe, but
• Soviets become an army of occupation not liberation
– UN created.
• Economic Results:
– Huge cost
– Economic cooperation:
• EEC
• GATT/WTO/World Bank (Dumbarton Oaks)
• Comecon (Eastern Bloc)
• Cominform replaces Comintern

20. • Military and Scientific Results
– Jet engine
– Rockets
– Atomic bomb
– Sonar/Radar
– Blood plasma
– Synthetic rubber
– Anti-biotics

21. • Social/Political Results:
– Loss of lives
– The Jews
– Refugees
– The end of empires…this time we means it.
(France and Great Britain)

23. Nuremberg Trials
November, 1945- September, 1946

24. List of Crimes
• War crimes: violations of laws of war.
• Crimes against peace: “…planning…
waging a war of aggression in violation of
int’l treaties…”
• Crimes against humanity: genocide.
• Conspiracy: leaders, organizers, etc
responsible for acts performed by
individuals.

25. In Germany
• 21 charged:
– 11 were executed
– 3 acquitted.
– 7 were given prison sentences

26. Tokyo Trials
June, 1946 – November, 1948

27. In Japan:
• 25 major leaders tried:
– 7 death sentences
– 18 prison sentences.
• Other tribunals:
– 5,000 tried
– Over 700 executed
• Yamashita precedent (standard): commanding
officers are ultimately responsible for crimes
committed by troops under their command. His
crimes were committed in the Philippines.

28. Question for consideration
Some people believe that military and political leaders must be held
accountable for decisions and actions taken in times of war and civil
unrest. Others believe that political and military leaders are justified
in using extraordinary measures in an effort to end a conflict or
restore order.
To what extent should political and military
leaders be held accountable for decisions and
actions taken during times of war and civil
unrest?