Costs of World War II

Background: ​World War II was the deadliest war in history. The war affected the entire world and was the
first war that killed more civilians than it killed soldiers. Over 60 million people were killed, which was over
2.5% of the world’s population.

The Bombing of Civilians

Before World War II, most nations condemned targeting civilians in bombing raids. As the war went on, the
nations at war expanded their ​bombing targets from military to industrial one​, then to workers’ houses, and
finally to entire cities and their civilian populations.

In the years leading up to World War II, ​Japan became the first power to attack civilians from the air. In 1932,
Japanese warplanes bombed a worker district in Shanghai, China, an incident that produced worldwide
outrage. The outrage did not stop Japan from bombing civilian areas of other Chinese cities.

In 1936, ​Mussolini ordered his Italian troops to attack a largely defenseless east African country of Ethiopia​.
When Mussolini’s warplanes struck the capital city, causing many civilian casualties, the world again
condemned the slaughter of American people.

Hitler introduced a new form of aggression in 1939 called ​Blitzkrieg. This strategy of using lightning fast
assaults targeted both military personnel and civilians. The bombing of London cost the lives of 30,000
people.

In 1942, the British abandoned their precision bombing strategy and for the rest of the war concentrated the
systematic widespread destruction of German cities by Royal Air Force night time air raids. One reason the
British took this fateful step was to ​“de-house” the German people​, which hopefully would shatter their morale
and will to continue the war.

After Germany surrendered, the Allies wanted to end the war quickly against Japan. On March 9, 1945, B-29
bombers attacked Tokyo, a city of 6 million people. ​Nearly 600 bombers dropped 1,665 tons of fire bombs on
the Japanese capital, destroying 16 square miles of the city. The resulting firestorm killed 1000,000 people,
more than died at Hiroshima or Nagasaki from the atomic bombs a few months later. Most of the victims were
women, children, and old men. The B-29 crew members put on oxygen masks to keep from vomiting at the
smell of burning human flesh.

The Western Allies bombed many locations in Nazi-occupied France. ​The total number of houses completely
destroyed by the bombings was nearly 300,000​. The bombings destroyed 100% of the city of Saint-Nazaire,
and partly Le Havre, Caen, Brest, Lorient, Cherbourg, Evreux, Saint-Malo, and Rouen. In France, the financial
reparations cost nearly $5 billion.

Especially damaged were the transportation and production infrastructures, such as railways, bridges, and
roads, which had all been heavily targeting by airstrikes, while many merchant ships had been sunk. The
destruction of transportation left the small towns and villages in Western Europe economically isolated.

The A​llied bombing of civilians played an important role in undermining the will of the German and Japanese
people to continue the war. But unlike the predictions of military strategists before the war, this did not
happen quickly. For a long time, the bombing of German and Japanese civilians only stiffened their resolve to
fight on. They wanted to surrender only after their countries lay in ruins, hundreds of thousands had
perished, and all hope of victory was lost.

Nazi and Allied bombing had left serious material damages in some cities. Urban cities like Berlin and Warsaw
were almost entirely destroyed. T​he bombing of Dresden in February of 1945 killed approximately 135,000
people. Several areas in Rotterdam had been severely damaged and needed to be totally reconstructed.
Millions of people had been made homeless. Many of the European continent greatest cities, including
Hambourg, Stalingrad, Leningrad, Sebastopol, Kiev, Kharkov, and Budapest, lay in ruins.

In Europe, t​he Nazis used food as a weapon in occupied countries, stealing goods and causing starvation. The
shortage of food was one of the most acute problems. Food rationing lasted after Germany surrendered in
May of 1945. Towards the ends of World War II, the Dutch famine took place in the German-occupied part of
the Netherlands. The overall economy was greatly affected by the shortage of coal, aggravated by the cold
winter of 1946-1947; homes went unheated and hundreds froze to death. 100 million Europeans had to live
on less than 1500 kilocalories a day.

Section 1 - Human Cost

In 1945, many regions were destroyed in Europe and millions of people were killed or injured. Only neutral
countries were not too much affected by the theaters of events of World War II. Estimates for casualties of the
war range from ​50 million to 60 million​, millions of people injured, 30 million or more civilians displaced
awaiting repatriation, especially in Eastern Europe. Nearly ​45 million civilians ​were killed fighting or after
bombings and the number of civilians killed is high than the number of soldiers killed.

Some populations were almost decimated. For example, the deliberate genocide of around six million Jews
during the Holocaust and Poland lost nearly 15% of its total pre-war population. An estimated 11 million
civilians died as a direct or indirect result of Nazi ideological policies.

Country Total Deaths Military Deaths Civilian Deaths % of 1939 population

U.S.S.R 20,600,000 13,600,000 7,000,000 13.88%

China 10,000 -- -- 3.86%

Germany 6,850,000 3,250,000 3,600,000 --

Poland 6,123,000 123,000 6,000,000 16.7%

Japan 2,000,000 -- -- 4.37%

Yugoslavia 1,706,000 -- -- 6.67%

France 810,000 340,000 470,000 1.35%

Greece 520,000 -- -- 11.15%

United States 500,000 500,000 -- .32%

Austria 480,000 -- -- 2.81%

Romania 460,000 -- -- 4.01%

Hungary 420,000 -- -- 6.35%

Italy 410,000 330,000 80,000 1.03%

 Czechoslovakia 400,000 -- -- 2.12%

Great Britain 388,000 326,000 62,000 .94%

The Netherlands 210,000 198,000 12,000 3.45%

Belgium 88,000 76,000 12,000 1.05%

Finland 84,000 -- -- 2.62%

Australia 39,000 -- -- .57%

Canada 34,000 -- -- .40%

Albania 28,000 -- -- 2.81%

India 24,000 -- -- .68%

Norway 10,262 -- -- .32%

New Zealand 10,000 -- -- .73%

Luxembourg 5,000 -- -- .68%

TOTAL 52,199,262

Source: http://new.bbc.co/dna/place-lancashire/plain/A2854730

Which country had the ​most ​total casualties? Why?

The country that had the most casualties was the Soviet Union. They had almost 21 million people die in a
very short period of time. I think part of the reason the Soviet Union had so many casualties was because they
were fighting longer than other countries like the United States. Also, there were a lot of fighting and bombing
that happened in the Soviet Union. Since the Nazis, were using food as a weapon during the war, a lot of
Soviets were starving to death. Also, the Soviet Union is very cold during the winter, so I’m sure a lot of
people were freezing to death, which is very sad.

Which Allied country had the ​least ​total casualties? Why?

The country that had the lowest amount of casualties was the United States with 50,000 deaths. This number
is so low compared to the Soviet Union. All of these casualties were military deaths and they didn’t have any
civilian deaths. I think the reason this number is so low in comparison to the other countries is because they
were the last country to join the war and none of the fighting was in the United States. This meant that no
civilians on the home from would have to worry about an air raid like other countries in Europe did. The
United States did not have to deal with any of the German Blitzkrieg, which kept their casualty numbers so
low.

How did the German Blitzkrieg strategy result in such a high number of casualties?
The German Blitzkrieg resulted in so many casualties because it was so overpowering. It was hard for
countries to mobilize while they were dealing with the Blitzkrieg. The Germans were bombing with air raids
and invading with tanks and killing everything in their path and their enemies had no way to defend
themselves.

What information do you find most surprising on this chart? Explain.

The information I find most surprising is really just how long the list of countries are. I know it’s called a
world war, but usually we only learn about the “important” countries, like the United States, Great Britain,
Germany, and the Soviet Union. I would’ve never guessed that countries like Australia were involved.
After the March 9th, 1945 Tokyo Bombing, U.S. General Curtis LeMay said, “There are no innocent
civilians… the entire population got into the act and worked to make those airplanes or munitions…
men, women, and children.” Do you agree or disagree with LeMay? Explain.
I do not agree with LeMay’s statement. I think there are innocent civilians. What about the kids going to
school or the wives waiting for their husbands to come home from the war? I get what LeMay is saying that
some civilians are working to help the military but I think he’s ignoring a lot of people.

Section 2 - Economic Cost

In 1947, the levels of production were inferior to those before the war. ​Agricultural production was 83% of
1938 levels, industrial production was 88%, and exports only 59%. This situation was due to lack of
workforce, and decreasing productivity of work caused by food shortages, robberies, bombings, and
sabotages. Globally, ​the economy of Eastern Europe was less severely affect than this of Western European
countries, because Nazi occupation was harder there and U.S.S.R aimed at burning crops. After 1945,
governments and entrepreneurs had to transform war factories to cover both consumption and equipment
needs. In France, the lack of coal paralyzed the steel industry. ​In Germany, the lack of food, labor force, and
lack of a national administration and the disruption of transport led to a dramatic situation​. Black market and
overpopulation threatened the country.

The global economy suffered heavily from the war. To finance the war, many European government were
bleeding in debt. G​reat Britain received a loan of $4.33 billion from the United States in 1945, while Canada
loaned Great Britain $1.19 billion in 1946 with a 2% annual interest rate. Germany agreed to pay reparations
of $20 billion to the U.S.S.R.

Trade decreased because of aerial bombardment and merchant shipping, which had sunk. Many countries
were in a state of economic ruin. Unemployment and food shortages led to strikes. The social background
became more and more difficult. In this context, communism and demonstration raised. Due to shortages,
Europe was mainly dependent on imports from the United States.

Inflation weakened European currencies. In France, the Vichy government invested a lot of money into the
production, increasing the inflation of the country. The pound sterling was devalued against the U.S. dollar. In
Germany, American cigarettes became used as a form of commodity money.

Germany often refers to May 8, 1945 as the Stunde Null (Hour Zero), marking the end of World War II in
Germany and the end of the Nazi government.

United States $228 Billion Which country had the highest economic cost? Why?
Great Britain $117 Billion The United States had the highest economic cause because they
France $111 Billion were helping Great Britain before they entered the war. ​Also,
U.S.S.R. $93 Billion the United States sent a lot of money to Great Britain after the
Germany $212 Billion war ended to help them recover from the German bombings.
Japan $41 Billion Germany’s numbers are really high because they had to pay so
much in war reparations, again.

Which country had the lowest economic cost? Why?

Japan had the lowest economic cost because their economy was
so much smaller than the United States. Japan also didn’t have
to recover from the German Blitzkrieg or bombing and had to
spend most of their money rebuilding from the atomic bombs
that the United States dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
 Why do you think the United States and Canada donated so
much money to Great Britain?
I think that the United States and Canada donated so much
money to Great Britain because they were scared that if they
didn’t, the U.S.S.R. could take over. The United States did not
want anymore communist countries. Also, Great Britain and the
United States were Allies throughout the war and it wouldn’t be
the right thing to do to just leave their friends without any help
after the war.

Section 3 - Political Costs

Germany - ​Germany was totally defeated and the Nazi regime was gone. Its leaders were tried for crimes
against humanity. German cities were in ruins from massive bombing campaigns. G​ermany was divided into
four occupation zones by the victorious powers, pending a more permanent political statement. The Potsdam
Conference, which settled the division of Germany (and Austria) respectively into four occupation zones, was
held in Potsdam, from July 16 - August 2, 1945. Participants were the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom,
France, and the United States. Germany’s eastern border was to be shifted westwards to the Oder-Neisse line,
effectively​ reducing Germany in size approximately 25% compared to its 1937 borders.

Large numbers of factories were dismantled or simply destroyed by the Soviets in their occupation zone,
whereas no agreement had been settled regarding war reparations paid by Germany​. The U.S.S.R wanted
Germany to pay for the economic collapse of the Soviet Union during the war. ​40% of the industry was
transferred and the Soviets turned at least 200 enterprises into “Soviet action companies.” They entirely
controlled a big part of the energy and heavy industry sector. From 1948, the big properties were shared,
political opponents were interned and freedom of expression was censored in the media. However, Stalin did
not want to divide the country. Indeed, he wanted to control the production and distribution of coal and steel
in the Ruhr. The creation of the GDR in 1949 only conferred a fictive sovereignty to the new state.

Italy - ​At the conclusion of the war, communism was gaining in popularity, as Italy’s experience with
democracy and capitalism in the post World War I era was unpleasant. ​The United States conducted a massive
Public Relations campaign to prevent the communist party from taking power in Italy, helping to tilt Italy
towards the democratic side. Consequently, a democratic republic was established in 1948 after a popular
election, bring Italy under the influence of the West rather than the Soviet Union.

Japan - ​Japan was in ruins from extensive bombing. Prominent military leaders were tried and convicted of
war crimes, but the emperor was allowed to retain his position. ​Japan was placed under temporary military
control.

Great Britain - ​Great Britain was devastated by the war especially after the blitz of 1940. ​It had to phase of
most of its political holdings due to economic losses.

France - ​France would have to recover from the effects of Nazi occupation. ​They would have to give up some
of its colonies which results in later conflicts.

Soviet Union - ​The Soviets had suffered immeasurably during the war, and the western Soviet Union was
devastated by the land warfare on their territory. But, in the process of defeating the German, the Soviets had
built a large and powerful army, which occupied most of Eastern Europe at the end of the war. The great
resources and population of Russia assured that ​the Soviet Union would be, along with the United States, one
of two superpowers.
United States - ​The United States’ economy was greatly stimulated by the war, even more so than in World
War I. ​The Great Depression was brought decisively to an end, and new industrial complexes were built all
over the United States. Spared the physical destruction of the war, the U.S. economy dominated the world
economy. ​After four years of military buildup, the United States had also become the leading military power.
The position of the United States as world leader was now more obvious than ever.

Most countries eventually gave up some or all of its colonies after World War II. Give two reasons for
this.
One reason most countries gave up some or all of their colonies after World War II is because they had to focus
on rebuilding. France had to rebuild after being occupied by the Nazis so they had to give up some of their
colonies.

Another reason is because some countries were turned into occupation zones, like Japan and Germany. ​This
was because the Allies thought they were the most aggressive during the war and they needed to be
occupation zones to make sure they would not try to be aggressive again.

What two countries will become world leaders after World War II? How could this lead to conflict?
The two countries that were world leaders after World War II were the United States and the Soviet Union.
This could lead to conflict because they both wanted to be the only superpower. They were also arguing over
what types of government would be put in places that got destroyed during World War II. The United States
wanted democracy and the Soviet Union wanted communism. This could lead to a lot of tension.

Based on what you know about the end of World War II, which four countries do you think held an
occupation zone in Germany during the post-World War II era?
The United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and France had control over an area of Germany. Germany
didn’t have any control over their own country.

How did the Allies treat the losers of World War II differently than they did after World War I? Why?
One way they treated the losers differently was the United States left the emperor in charge of Japan after
World War II. The Allies took a part a lot of governments after World War I and this made a lot of people
unhappy which is why I think they did things a little differently after World War II. I think the winners of
World War II did this because they didn’t want to make the same mistakes and end up in World War III. One
lesson they didn’t learn was that war reparations are very costly to countries and may put them into a big
economic mess. I think the Allies did this because they wanted to get some of the money the had spent on the
war back.

Section 4 - Critical Thinking Question

In the space below, write a detailed paragraph describing what you feel was the greatest cost of World War II.
Was it the human costs, political costs, or economic costs? Be sure to provide a clear and concise thesis and
use ​specific​ evidence to support your claims.

The greatest cost from World War II was the human cost for a lot of reasons. First of all, you can rebuild a
building if it gets destroyed during the war, but you can’t bring back a human. So many people died in the war,
almost 30 million just in the Soviet Union, and there’s nothing you can do about it. There’s nothing you can do
to make their family feel better. Some people might argue that the economic cost was the greatest cost
because like the United States spent $229 billion on the war. While that is a lot of money, money isn’t
everything. Human lives are more important than any money or buildings or anything else lost during the
war. Others might say the political costs were the greatest cost of the war. These people are only focused on
powerful governments and have no concern for humans. Political costs can be regained or not, but people can
never come back.
The human cost from World War II is not something that a single country had to deal with either. Every
country involved lost people, which the chart in Section 1 shows. Some countries, like the United States, did
not have to rebuild infrastructure and other countries didn’t have any political costs. But every country had a
human cost.