The significance of the post-war settlement Essay Example for Free

The significance of the post-war settlement Essay After World War 2, the extent to which participating countries had lost acted as an eye opener. What these countries expected never came to be. Having fought in war 1, and then war 2, most resources were running towards depletion and worst of all masses of people lost lives, economies, weakened, infrastructure destroyed and industrial development totally demerited. Post war era was the start to a new world order mainly to be characterized by peace, potency, mutuality and prosperity. After World War 2, every country that had taken part in it was left on a stand still. Having invested most of the resources in the war that turned out to be fruitless, it was a turning point for a majority of them. Governments had to work out new sources and systems of accumulating capital, re-institutional arrangements. The period around and after World War 2 led to advancement and fundamental industrial relations re-birth. The development at that time reflected positive future stability and durability. In the whole continent, only Sweden and Switzerland experienced tranquility. All the other countries were faced with war, colonization and enmity. Post war reconstruction of national boundaries, economical atmosphere and political systems facilitated unprecedented significance in development. The change in economical, institutional perception and perspectives is a niche definition of my understanding of post war settlement. (Fulcher,1987). In my discussion, I will scrutinize two global economical giant countries, which are Germany and Russia. To start, after World War 2 life was indeed very tough in the Federal Republic of Germany, with almost all systems in a shattered condition. Very hard living standards came up as a result of food shortage, diseases, instability, lack of job opportunities and unemployment. As a result activism and demonstrations took center stage, this was made possible by the Germany’s unionification. All employees were under the same confederation, which pushed for further reforms putting better living standards in their priority. This move turned out successive due to the fact that employees and unions existed on a mutually potent relationship, that is, one could not live without the other. Citizen thought that separation of politics and industrial issues would be a merit to their welfare. Another development that followed in turn was economical stability and expansion. To boost their progress, Britain sent food relief in 1946. Later on, Germany saw itself join membership of EEC in 1957 through the help of a strategic plan known as the `Marshal Plan’. Old industrious organizations, firms and companies remain stable as growth began to be felt. Post wartime is seen as a stability period in most countries that experienced the effects of war- Volkswagen, the automobile manufacturer is one of the companies that lived on and continue to today. Germany was forced to concentrate all it effort in policies and strategies towards economic growth. They had to halt active political presence for decades. With serious considerations being put into practice, Germany woke up to an economic excellence. As an advantage of post war activity, Germany became, and still is, among the giant economical strengths in Europe and universally. In a bid to bounce back, post wartime witnessed the practice of mass production, industries embarked on manufacturing of goods in surplus. As a result it attracted German citizens to mass consumption. This was a great move since the more they produced the more it was consumed. The gross net profit grew drastically so did their economy. Life felt cozier as job opportunities increased because of the mushrooming of many industries. Politically the country was shaped newly completely for quite a long time, at one time Germany had to lay low. They had been toppled completely and their Nazi regime wrecked down. This turn of events saw its leaders tried at Nuremberg for crimes against human rights, they had to face justice in their own home place or rather their site of propaganda brilliance. (Skidelsky, 1979) Although the late tyrant leader Adolph Hitler escaped trial and execution at that time: he later committed suicide in Berlin, at the end of the war. He felt so intimidated of the counts he would be changed for. World War 2 left many German capital towns in ruins from the massive bombings carried out in it. Germany was segregated into zones by capability and powers; this in turn resulted to a permanent political stability and settlement. The European Union that strongly stands out today has it motherly roots from world war 2 time. In fact it grew from the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), Its primary intention was to develop the steel and coal resources from member states, support and boost their economies.the ECSC facilitated the diffusion of the tensions that had resulted between enemy countries in world war 2. With time, this economic co-operation/merger grew enoumously , adding in new members hence broadening their scope, later the European Union was formed from EEC, European Economic Community. Many other prominent organizations today have their history date back to World War 2; for example, the world trade organization,WTO, the United Nations, the international monetary fund IMF, the World Bank in which then West Germany but now Germany had taken part in its formation and stand as members. Another very important significance is the evolution of initial and the follow up of advanced technological progress that had captivated interest during the war. The development was reflected in almost all industrial fields: in electronics, computers. These advancements helped Germany create the foundation for its realization into further development. This finally transformed to what was referred to as the post world war 2 world. The new technology, assisted in the efforts to fight diseases that had erupted during the war. Massive research, monitoring, evaluation and development, quickly attained nuclear power which had adverse impacts on the scientific fraternity, creating a network of laboratories in the whole country therafter . In addition, the struggling to crack codes initiated computer technology. There were social effects too which significantly changed almost all war participants to new degrees. One of them was increased involvement of women in the working force which replaced the place taken by many men during the war: though this initiative was reduced in the following years, due to the fast changing society. The system forced women to taking care of home and family oriented matters.(Rowthorn en.others,1992). In military aspects, the World War II had established the beginning of airpower. Germany could not be left out, this was an opportunity to draft active self defence system. They highly concentrated on project they had earlier established. Advanced aircraft composing of aeroplanes, jet fighters and missiles developed earlier saw further developments. Battle ships and tanks sprout out into the ever growing competition, with guns and ammunination reaching to leathal dynamics. Air power capability is today a constituent in any military operation or mission. (Seidman,1950) Russia on the other hand is said to be the main beneficiary when border revision was done. It saw Poland, Finland, Romania and other countries pushed into Russian boundery in their favor. Germany was not considered in the process. As a result their land area became larger creating room for development. Infrastractural systems remain almost the way they used to in Russia. Only few places had their system completely damaged. Compared to Germany, this was better off since repairs would cost less. Post war saw Germany’s roads and communicational networks left completely in a shuter. Though very many people lost lives during world war 2, in Russia than in Germany, at some point their demograpfic figure took a new turn. This was alos facilitated by increased agricultural activity. Most of Russia’s citizens depended on agriculture, fishing, forestry, or craftworks. Due to increment on the agicultural industry, their economical strength also took a stable ground-this is a major similarity that was experienced in almost all countries that had experienced war. (Gourevitch ,1985) Immortatility rates decreased and in turn working population had a future expectation. Hunger was kicked out and fertility saw the countries graphs rise demeritically. Having food and medicine eradicated the diseases that had become threatening. Politically, Russians remained constantly active compared to Germans who had to gio slow for decades. This was a crafty thing to concentrate on after the war. The approach given was also great to say, it was trying to balance business and politics. Like their counterparts the Germans, unemployment at the beginning of world war 2 hit their population badly, this led to workers demonstrations all over the country. Trade unions at the time wanted drastic change to help improve their living standards. This though was not left to spread like any other bush fire, heavy police and army contigence ensured that a runing battle existed toi keep the country tranquil and the demonstrators at bay. (Taylor,1989) Russia had severe problems following their decision to turn captured prisoners of war into plantation slave labourers. This is another reason that led to activism towards fighting for humanity/human rights. Every significant effect practiced found its relation with industrial settlement. Looking at their military state, Russia developed also in terms of strategic ideas and policies. Industrial inovations led to further outstanding developments in their manufacturing industry. This move also resulted to an interest in nuclear power. In fact, Russia heavilly invested on the project. Facing challenges though, the idea had to be carried out in top secresy due to the effect that had been seen at Nagasaki and Hiroshima. (Ferner en. Others,1994 World super power countries felt empathetic of what had happen and so took it as a mandate to control nuclear power. Countries would only be allowed to use it for developmental purposes and destruction. Russia was the most highly sort after provider of nuclear energy. They made tremendous sale that in turn aided them in developing the state. It also provided job opportunities to it people. Peace settlements characterised both Germany and Russia, this positive move indicated brighter future. Since Russia was facing challenges of cold war because of several stauch stands on their accord they saw it an apportunity to reconcile with enemy states together with Germany. The negotiations indicated that the initiative was to be the last war and a new beginning to everlasting peace. They agreed at all peace summit meetings held in Paris that idealism would take over rivalism. This was further pushed by existence of the league of nations. Expectations reached as far as waterways internationalization. This was a step ahead towards cohesive industrial relations. Independence was being experience in countries that had been colonized by Germany, they had decided to let own rule and democracy prevail. In contrary though, Russia in their side continued too occupy countries like Latvia and others with iron and steel mineral deposits or resources. Though they remain under Russia these countries witnessed new traditions that in deed very good. There was self freedom for everyone, movement was very safe generally. As a result, people grew some self determination which help industrialize Russia particularly, it was all busy-busy to earn a living a condition that turned out to be very superb.( Ryder, 2008) Preparations for compensation is another significant effort that saw ist launch in Germany more than Russia, a lot appeared to be done by Germany to cater on the aspect of enmity/crisis and conflict. Russia became laxile on this one which negatively impacted on their relationship with most countries. In turn, their industrial relations and development faced difficulties and setbacks in their wake to cold war period thereafter. Property ownership was also top after world wra 2, normally public resources were subject or prone to seizure or confiscation, by the then victorious super power countries. Many industries saw ownership and income channelled to their banks but after the war, rules changed. This saw native citizens own proprerties, industries, plantations which was a brilliant sign that the world was changing. This brought an understanding between waring communties who had different and diverse cultural variance. Although Russsia as well as Germany felt like they had lost or unfortunately settled at nothing compared to first world war, They later realized that peace was even sweeter and priceless, at some point. World war 1 settlement was not perfect, that is why war two broke out but this time around, it would be the last time blood spilled. People in fact were turning closer to God at the time, in Germany for example it saw the demise or end of the rough Nazi regime, churches were established in the folloe up.Stability in capability to keep and maintain order is something that came in world war 2 post war settlement. As a result of peace prevalence all the energies were shifted to industrial innovations and development in both Germany and Russia. In conclusion, it can said that the significance of post world war 2 was almost the same in both these two countries. The extent to which states experienced the war was relative to how harder they would be forced to work in order to achieve stability. For instance, Germany had suffered majorly in most important industries plus they had their reservouir flow of capital from their colonies in Europe and other continents stop in the wake of freedom and independence. Although it was almost incapable to bounce back they had undying determination.( Theory, 2008) On Russia case is all the same thing in all industrial developments, only that they had resources and capital that made it easier on them to progress. Politically, too, they saw a major and notable change but not as in Germany whose Nazi regime end and Hitler’s death became the starting point to humanity, democracy and of course their core economical booster indistrial stability. Reference: Fulcher J(1987). `Labour Movement Theory versus Corporatism`, Sociology Vol. 21 no 2, pp 231-252 Hyman R in Hyman R. and A. Ferner(1994) New Frontiers in European IndustrialRelations Blackwell London, Chapter one Jukka Pekkarinen, Matti Pohjola, and Bob Rowthorn (1992). Social corporatism asuperior economic system? Clarendon Press330.17 Joel Seidman(1950) Industrial and Labor Relations Review, Vol. 4, pp. 55-69 Published by: Cornell University, School of Industrial Labor Relations Peter Gourevitch (1985) Unions and Economic Change: Britain, West Germany and Sweden 331.881 GOU Ryder (2008) Post war economy: retrieved from the World Wide Web at http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/6916/ww2.htm Skidelsky R (1979) The decline of Keynesian politics: State and economy in Contemporary capitalism: Croom Helm edition, London Taylor A J (1989) Trade Unions and Politics: a comparative introduction,Basingstoke,Macmillan Theory (2008) The world since 1945: retrieved from the World Wide Web at http://www.flowofhistory.com/units/etc/19/FC128