legacies of ww2

Jarrod Interval replied on 12:18 PM on April 14, 2009
World War 2 has many lasting legacies socially, politically, and economically. These legacies affect the world today.

1 2 3 J. Patrick McGill replied on 12:26 PM on April 14, 2009
For the people of America, the post-WWII world was able to be a very positive one. After years of the Great Depression, the economic slump was over due to the increased productivity. Americans were finally working and making money. People were starting to move to vast expanding suburbs. Politically, with America virtually the only major power in the war who's country wasn't destroyed. This combined with an active memebership in the League of Nations replacement the United Nations as well as with NATO, the US finally came out of its isolationist shell to become one of, if not the dominant power in the world then and still now. though we have lost some footing since then, I still feel America is on top and can stay there withe the proper work ethic and perserverance. It is one of the things that gives me great pride to be an American.

1 2 3 Jarrod Interval replied on 12:28 PM on April 14, 2009
World War 2 has many lasting legacies socially, politically, and economically. These legacies affect the world today. The second world war in essence ended the Depression, which FDR failed to end through his economic reforms. WWII caused many new industries to start production of war materials, which helped the economy greatly. World War II also gave birth to nuclear weapons. Weapons of mass destruction weren't used before this, but now nuclear weapons are always an option for warring nations. The government and society always has to think twice aboiut getting into a war because of the threat of nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons have also led to increasing protest to war by society. By looking at FDR's handling of World War II, world leaders of today can see a good example of how to successfully handle a major war. FDR dealt with major opponents in two different continents. America couls use his tactics if it were ever in a major war in the future. Also, FDR dealt fairly well with Stalin and other world leaders after the war, so this is also a good example of how to find peace after a war.

1 2 3 Monica King replied on 12:28 PM on April 14, 2009
WWII has had a lasting legacy on today's society and my life. The war was fought between many different types of governments each believing theirs was the best form. Communists became the evil of the world and Democracy was out to put a stop to its spread. Still today, many are weary of communists governments and any idea that points to communism. Russia is a large communist model and they switched many times throughout the war. Russia sided with Hitler at the beginning to gain access to territory in Poland than it joined with the Allies by the end of the war because Hitler tried to invade Russia. After the war we became enemies in an arms race. Even now, many people find it hard to trust Russia, and the public doesn't agree when our government gets involved with Russia's government. I know I am always alittle apprehensive when I hear about Russia stirring up trouble (Georgia) because I know they have the weapons to do enough damage. During the war we built up our military and many of our factories turned to war production, we had a big boost in profits. It also hurt and helped many trade relations. We still do not have the best trade relations with Russia and Germany, but we have great trade relations with Britain, China, and other Allies from the war. We have been able to keep many of those Allies over the years. Socially, people thought that once this war was over that was it. They were tired of fighting wars and thought this was the last one. They were able to see so much death and destruction, many in-humane techniques of warfare that killed many innocent civilians. The public was outraged over the death of so many civilians. I hear it in the news now with Iraq, anytime there is a large killing of civilians it makes all the headlines and turns peoples stomaches. World War II has defined our trade relations, solidified our alliances with other nations, and affected how the public views the horrors of war and our own tolerance level


1 2 3 Francesca Rosa replied on 12:31 PM on April 14, 2009
One of the enduring legacies of WWII on our society today is the way we view the countries involved in the Axis Powers. We see Germans, Italians, and Japanese in an unfavorable light because of what their former leaders did to other countries. WWII also affected world trade and economics. The U.S. had loaned other countries aid in the forms of supplies, soldiers, and money. However now, due to WWII and other entangling trading agreements, the U.S. is in a severe recession. People are losing their jobs, their homes. I know that personally, the recession is affecting my family since the price of homes and property has gone up, making it difficult for us to move. The governments of not only the U.S. were affected by WWII, but those of the Axis powers were forever changed as well.


1 2 3 Daniel Crumrine replied on 01:38 PM on April 14, 2009
World War II has many lasting legacies on our personal life as well as society today. Socially the Second World War had a big impact on society today. Many people have lasting views and problems for the Second World War era. People are still somewhat prejudice and still have racist and hardcore views of people from this time period. Personally the Second World War affects me today. Economically this affects me today because this war gave birth to new industries within our country. One of these industries happened to be the steel industry. My Grandfather worked in the steel mill in Pittsburgh. My grandfather supported his family with this wage. Therefore the Second World War had an impact on my family economically. Politically the war effects our government today. The war established the world’s dependency on the United States. The War also established the United States as the World power, which is still true today.


World War II still has a legacy on the world today.

Socially WWII left America in a new position. After seeing what Adolph Hitler did with the Jews in the Holocaust the United States began to see how bad racism can be. It still took time, but slowly equal rights have been opened to society as laws were also passed to give protection to women, African Americans and other minorities. By seeing the effects of racism and prejudice, society had another wake up and in general accepts differences now. I am glad that society is now more accepting. For example, this will help me in the future with a job, without prejudice against being a woman.

Economically WWII created a new economy and prosperity that brought the U.S. out of the Great Depression. America has continued to be prosperous. In general those who “won” the war have had a better economy and were able to grow quicker because they weren’t completely destroyed. Though the Allies did help put the world economy back together some after the war because the world suffered when a few major countries such as Germany’s economy was low. The worlds economy was greatly changed and new economic market powers grew from the aftermath and assistance after WWII.

As far as politics, the idea of if the Axis powers had been able to expand the western culture and government may be gone, would have led to a very different world. Luckily western government ideas survived for society today. The United States also could never again be isolationistic. America from then on has been a major world power dealing with foreign affairs. Both of my grandparents would later be involved in the military. My one grandfather even went over to Korea and fought in the Korean War, thankfully survived.

World War II changed society especially in making it a world power that can never again be isolationistic. After an event the effect can be big, but sometimes the effects resonate much longer than many think.