What Effect Did World War II have on Eastern Europe?

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ABSTRACT

This essay will explore the political, social, and economic attributes of three countries in Eastern Europe after World War II compared to before World War II. This essay will explore the political, social, and economic attributes of three countries in Eastern Europe after World War II compared to before World War II. The essay will go in depth to focus on the different aspects in Romania, Poland, and the Soviet Union before, during, and after World War Two.

The insight gained through this essay will cover the consequences and the impact that World War Two had on the populations of the aforementioned nations due to the change of the political, social, and economic aspects of everyday life.

                                

TABLE OF CONTENTS

        

INTRODUCTION

When the words “World War Two” are mentioned, one may automatically think about the millions of lives lost; the Holocaust; or the D-Day invasions of Normandy – all of which have been recounted numerous times in books, films, and video games. But what is less commonly discussed about World War Two is the significant political, social, and economic impact that it had on the countries of Eastern Europe. In this essay, I will explore the social, political, and economic effects of the war on three countries in the region: Romania, Poland, and The Soviet Union. In order to fully explore the impact, some background information is needed about the war.

World War Two was an international conflict that lingered in the air for years before Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939 which officially triggered the world war. Some of these reasons include unresolved issues from the First World War, nationalistic ideas within individual countries, and the Great Depression.

        The unresolved issues from the First World war played a significant role in the start of the Second World War. The Treaty of Versailles, one of the treaties that was made at the end of World War One was highly controversial. It required Germany to accept responsibility for causing the war and pay reparations, give up territories, begin disarmament. These conditions were unfavorable to Germany and caused widespread dissatisfaction within the population.  The result of these conditions, however, did not have the desired effect on Germany. It was neither weakened, pacified, nor satisfied with the outcome. This would prove to be a reason for starting the Second World War. The Second World War was a continuation of the issues that had not been resolved in the first.

 The rise of the Third Reich was attributed in part to Germany’s economic instability after World War One. During the 1930’s, the Nazi party used propaganda to make the public believe that their misfortunes were due to the First World War and that the issues needed to be rectified. The Second World War started in order for Germany to change its status and go from a regional power to a dominant world power. There are some differences between the two wars, however. World War One started in part due to the alliances in place. Countries that had no reason to fight were drawn into the war due to pressures from their allies. World War 2, on the other hand, was fought more out of the need to keep the Axis Powers from taking over the world. Germany employed the use of a tactic called “Blitzkrieg” which rapidly advanced its technologically superior forces through opposing countries, conquering them. By the end of the war in 1945, it is estimated that up to 50 million civilians and up to 25 million military were killed. The war left a majority of Europe in ruins and was the most devastating war in human history. 

In addition to the destruction and devastation, the war had political, social, and economic implications that shaped the world we live in today. I will focus this research on Eastern Europe and, more specifically, the countries of Romania, Poland, and the Soviet Union.

ROMANIA

POLITICAL ASPECT

Romania is a country in Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea. Today, it’s population is estimated at around 21.5 million.        

        Before World War Two, Romania had a constitutional monarchy government. King Carol, then ruler of Romania, tried to stay neutral during the war and in turn ceded large portions of land to the Soviet Union in order to avoid conflict. General Antonescu seized power and forced the king to abdicate in favor of his young son, Michael. Romania then joined the Axis Powers against the Soviet Union in order to regain lost territory that was historically inhabited by ethnic Romanians. The cost of the war, however, took its toll on the countries. Public sentiment against the Axis increased and King Michael staged a coup against the ruling Axis government. Romanian troops, which numbered over one million, started fighting on the Allies side. However, this did not stop the Soviet Union from occupying Romania and seizing 130,000 prisoners of war. Romania’s change of sides accelerated the Soviet Union’s advance toward the west and it is estimated that this event shortened the war by six months.

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         After World War Two Romania was strongly influenced by the Soviet Union. Soviet Occupation created a communist government and forced the King to exile. The communist party ruled Romania from 1947 until its overthrow in the Revolution of 1989. In the 1950’s, Romania’s communist party began to exercise some independence from its Soviet counterpart. The Romanian communist party convinced the Soviet Union to remove all troops from the country. Romania’s communist party also denounced the 1968 Invasion of Czechoslovakia. The invasion was aimed at stopping the liberalization reforms taking place in the country. Romania prohibited the Soviet Union to transport ...

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