Introduction
World War I and II have always been regarded as the most devastating times in history, destroying millions of lives and leaving the survivors without homes and families, who struggled through poverty and hunger. Both periods are characterized by the growing tension and rise of such movements as fascism and nazism. Nevertheless, while the post-World War I time concentrated on the amassing of powers and support by aggressive Germany, World War II post-conflict time can be perceived as a time of unity and protection from any further rapid escalations.
Post-World War I Era
When reviewing the post-war periods of both wars, it is first necessary to analyze the results of the First World War. The warfare between Germany and the Allied Nations reached an end with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 after five years of armed conflict (Mawdsley 9). The War Guilt clause, which expressly and definitely attributed responsibility for the start of conflicts in Germany, constituted one of the agreement’s most disputed elements. The pact “burdened [Germany] with financial reparations and stripped it of territories and colonies” (Mawdsley 2). Numerous stipulations in the Treaty of Versailles were broken when Adolf Hitler assumed charge in Germany in the 1930s (Mawdsley 62). However, the post-war period was not a time of ease due to the continuing existence of threats.
The post-war phase was the time of the rise of fascism and Nazism. As Benito Mussolini, an Italian dictator, said: “I am fascist” (Cole 867). The Italian leader boasted that fascism had saved the nation from financial catastrophe, and the Italian economy did indeed recover in the 1920s, along with other European economies (Cole 867). In the following years, although Adolf Hitler’s national movement did not achieve widespread support, it did become popular after the unemployment crisis brought on by the downturn that started in 1929 (Cole 868). As a result, National Socialism in Germany originated, which was the primary threat to world peace, as found later.
During such a difficult and tense time, appeasement was made in hopes of tranquility. Appeasement was the term used to describe Britain’s 1930s strategy of permitting Hitler to extend German land unrestrained in the hopes of preventing conflict (Mawdsley 75). The Prime Minister of Britain, Mr. Chamberlain, is strongly connected with it since he was the party that made the concessions in 1938 (Mawdsley 75). When his armies invaded the Rhineland in 1936, Hitler’s imperialistic intentions were made very obvious, and he conquered Austria in 1938 (Mawdsley 75). Thus, this only deteriorated the situation and made Germany’s plans clear.
Finally, the World Wars were separated by a time period known as the European Interwar Economy, which started as Western Europe’s nations struggled to rebuild their economies in the following years and dealt with financial hardship and the development of fascism. Although Britain, Italy, and the United States had growth in their GDP during wartime, Russia, France, and the Netherlands saw declines (Mawdsley 21). Moreover, the German economy experienced soaring hyperinflation in the ensuing years (Mawdsley 21). A significant portion of the world experienced an economic downturn following World War I, known as the recession (Mawdsley 21). As a result, the world economy shrank, while peaceful times were not fully guaranteed.
Post-World War II Era
When it comes to the World War II era, it can be characterized as a time of final restoration after fascism. Similarly to the First World War, it saw detrimental economic impacts after the warfare. As a result of widespread essential infrastructure destruction, supply shortages, and food rationing, the financial state of European countries was complex. However, in contrast to the preceding war, within five years, the majority of war-torn nations had recovered to their pre-war production levels. Such resurrections of the economies will be remembered as the most extraordinary period of financial prosperity and social advancement in historical accounts, as well as the era of economic expansion. Such transformations can be partially attributed to the efforts of the United States.
While during the First World War, countries restored their economies individually, this time, President Truman introduced new plans of support. The 1948 Economic Recovery Act was enacted by President Truman (National Archives). It was given the title Marshall Plan in honor of Secretary of State George Marshall, who in 1947 suggested that the U.S. offer financial aid to rebuild Europe’s economic system (National Archives). Similarly, Truman founded the Truman Doctrine, which stipulated that the U.S. would offer political, military, and monetary aid to any democratic country under attack from any totalitarian influences (The Office of the Historian). The Truman Doctrine successfully changed the direction of American foreign policy from that of potential intervention in distant wars to one of typical retreat from regional crises with no immediate U.S. involvement (The Office of the Historian). However, while this was gratefully accepted by the Western countries, the USSR refused the aid, which spurred the Cold War.
The Cold War was not an unexpected turn of events but an accumulating tension that resulted in rivalry. The U.S. and the Soviet Union, the two principal opponents, did not engage in any direct combat operations (The National WWII Museum). However, the conflict cost the world billions of dollars and countless lives and continued for 45 years after the war (The National WWII Museum). During World War II, hostilities existed between the U.S. and its unlikely ally, the USSR. The first non-aggression agreement signed by Soviet Leader Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler in 1939 was not forgotten by Western Allied powers (The National WWII Museum). The rivalry between the USSR and the United States escalated as World War II changed both countries, making them global powers. After the Axis powers were defeated, a political and ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union gave place to the beginning of the Cold War (The National WWII Museum). A period of surveillance, disputes over the expansion of communism, and the construction of nuclear weapons that endangered world peace resulted from the ensuing competition for greater military might.
Aside from the differences between the two wars, the division of Germany and European unity must be mentioned. Following the Potsdam Conference, Germany was split into several regions, with each controlled by Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States (Center for European Studies). By bringing the European nations together, Western Europe sought to restore its position in the global arena (Center for European Studies). Pro-European forces became active and actively pushed the goal of the European Union, some of which had their roots in the Resistance.
Conclusion
Hence, in contrast to the post-World War I period, which focused on the consolidation of power and aggressive Germany’s backing, the post-World War II period may be seen as a period of unification and defense against any additional quick escalation. There is only one similarity between the two wars, which is the economic struggle following the armed conflict. The differences exceed the similarities since the first war involves the rise of fascism, and the second war involves European unity, the division of Germany, and the Cold War, with two forces, such as the USSR and the U.S., competing against each other, although they were allies during wars.
Works Cited
Center for European Studies. The End of WWII and the Division of Europe. CES. Web.
Cole, Joshua and Carol Symes. Western Civilizations (20th ed.). W. W. Norton, 2020.
Mawdsley, Evan. World War II: A New History. Cambridge University Press, 2020.
National Archives. Marshall Plan (1948). National Archives, n.d. Web.
The National WWII Museum. Cold Conflict. The National WWII Museum, n.d. Web.
The Office of the Historian. The Truman Doctrine (1947). Department of State, n.d. Web.