Introduction
The Second World War has been an object of close historical research and analysis for many decades. There are many controversial opinions about the complex political tensions that both led to and resulted from it. However, it is a definite fact that the Second World War significantly changed the international order and relationships between countries. In addition to having profound political and economic consequences, the war caused extensive human suffering and loss of life on a scale previously unknown. It was a defining moment in world history that resulted in the creation of the United Nations, the Cold War, decolonization, the new economic order, and the development of human rights.
Background
The events that caused the Second World War were complex and numerous. There were rising tensions in different countries around the world, disputes that were related to various reasons, from territorial conflicts to ideological clashes. Europe and Asia were two regions that represented major powers in this conflict.
Following the First World War, the warring parties signed the Treaty of Versailles, which was intended to bring peace and cooperation. Another result of the First World War was the combination of severe penalties imposed on Germany, which resulted in it losing territory, paying reparations, and being restricted in terms of military engagement and training. All these, in turn, caused instability and resentful sentiments throughout Europe.
In the 1930s, various authoritarian regimes emerged in Europe and Asia, each seeking to expand their territories and spheres of influence. For instance, under Adolf Hitler’s leadership, Nazi Germany pursued a policy of territorial expansion and wanted to establish a “Greater Germany” through military conquest (Galai, 2019). At the same time, Japan, under a militaristic government, aimed to expand its influence in Asia by using aggressive military campaigns.
The response of the major powers to these aggressive moves by authoritarian regimes was inadequate and uncoordinated, as each country aimed to pursue its interests and priorities. For example, although Britain and France had guaranteed the security of Poland, they were slow to react to Germany’s invasion in 1939, which is considered to have triggered the start of the war (Galai, 2019). Meanwhile, the United States was cautious and tried to maintain neutrality.
The Soviet Union initially had an alliance with Germany between 1939 and 1941. After Germany invaded its territories in 1941, it later joined the Allied powers. The war quickly spread to other continents, including Africa and Asia; active military operations were also conducted on the high seas, including the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans.
The United Nations
One of the direct responses to World War II was the establishment of the United Nations (UN), which still plays a significant role in promoting world peace today. The organization’s main goals were promoting international cooperation, maintaining world peace, and ultimately preventing another devastating global conflict. Apart from maintaining peace and security, the UN is also responsible for promoting human rights and fostering economic and social development. The UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, recognizes fundamental rights that every individual is entitled to, such as the right to life, liberty, and security of person (Lüdert et al., 2022).
The organization uses different programs and bodies, such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to promote and protect these rights. Furthermore, the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development outlines 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all, and the UN provides development assistance to countries in need through programs such as the UN Development Programme. All these strategies and initiatives play an essential role in today’s world.
The Cold War
The Second World War also led to the Cold War, one of the most critical periods of geopolitical rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. Although these two countries had been allies during the war, tensions increased afterward. The US and the USSR aimed to improve their political and economic systems. The Soviet Union was seen as a threat to the US, partly because the former was a socialist state and the latter a capitalist democracy. In turn, the US was considered a threat by the Soviet Union, as the latter felt concerned about the presence of American military bases in Europe and the United States’ possession of atomic weapons.
The Cold War significantly impacted the international system, and the new world order was established following the Second World War. It created a dichotomous world, with the United States and its allies on one side and the Soviet Union and its allies on the other. This separation had extensive outcomes, including the arms and space races and numerous proxy wars fought by both sides.
Decolonization
The decolonization process after the Second World War refers to the dissolution of European empires and the emergence of new independent states in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Several factors have led to this, including anti-colonial movements, the weakening of European powers, and changing attitudes towards colonialism. However, many of these countries faced significant challenges. It was difficult for them to establish new, stable governments, develop their economic systems, and manage various social, ethnic, and religious tensions.
Despite this, the decolonization process changed the balance of power that had existed in the world before since former colonies gained independence and the right to act on the global stage (Galai, 2019). New states emerged from the decolonization process and profoundly affected international relations as new alliances were formed. Initially, these states aligned themselves with the United States or the Soviet Union, causing a rise in Cold War tensions in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. However, there was also a stronger emphasis on national self-determination and human rights in international politics.
Economic Order
Significant economic changes were another essential outcome of the Second World War. These included creating the Bretton Woods system, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Bretton Woods’ main aim was to regulate the international monetary system by fixing exchange rates to the US dollar, which was backed by gold (Bordo, 2020). This measure aimed to prevent the competitive devaluation of currencies that had led to the Great Depression (Bordo, 2020).
Two other organizations established after the war are the World Bank and the IMF, which are intended to promote economic development and stability in reconstruction efforts made by different countries. The World Bank focuses on providing long-term loans to developing countries for infrastructure projects, while the IMF offers short-term loans to countries facing balance of payment problems. These changes and institutions profoundly impacted the global economy and international trade. They facilitated stable exchange rates and reduced the risk of currency fluctuations, promoting international trade and investment.
Human Rights
The protection of individual rights became a key component of the new international order after the Second World War as a result of the atrocities committed during the war, including the Holocaust. This led to the United Nations’ creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, which established universal human rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights (Galai, 2019). These were to be protected and promoted by all nations, marking a significant shift in international relations, with human rights becoming an essential component of international law and diplomacy.
Almost all countries have ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has been used as the basis for many national and international laws and policies. It has facilitated the development of human rights standards and led to the creation of institutions such as the UN Human Rights Council (Galai, 2019). Although the document has been criticized for its lack of enforceability and persistent human rights violations worldwide, it remains a crucial foundation for protecting and promoting human rights globally.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that the Second World War significantly changed the international order in many respects. This devastating global conflict resulted in the emergence of new powers and ideologies, the decline of old regimes, and decolonization. Various initiatives were undertaken to promote peace, security, economic order, and human rights, including establishing the United Nations, the Bretton Woods system, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, the Cold War also significantly impacted the shaping of the international order, with lasting effects today. It is essential to reflect on these changes today to understand the existing issues and potential challenges and work towards a fair and just international order that fosters peace, prosperity, and security for all.
References
Bordo, M. D. (2020). The Imbalances of the Bretton Woods System 1965 to 1973: U.S. Inflation, the Elephant in the Room. Open Economies Review, 31(1), 195–211. Web.
Galai, Y. (2019). The transnational mythscape of the Second World War. Memory Studies. Web.
Lüdert, J., Ketzmerick, M., & Heise, J. (2022). The United Nations Trusteeship System. Taylor & Francis.