The aftermath of World War II was marked as the start of a new age, with the weakening of the powerful states, and the emergence of new superpowers as represented by the United States and the USSR. These two countries would later become rivals in claiming center stage, thus it was inevitable for both to engage in what historians call as the cold war and the iron curtain as described by Winston Churchil in 1946 (Mcneese, 22). It was referred to as the cold war, because the rivalry never ends up in an open war, although it was heated by the existence of espionage and political destabilization. Moreover, the United Nations was created after the Second World War in order to deter the advancement of another conflict that might trigger another world war.
Immediate After Effect of WWII
While countries started to work towards recovery, there are many states, such as the US that focused on the development of science and technology. The concentration on science and technology can be attributed to the scarce resources, and the need to determine projects that needed funding (Bridgstock, 9). In the United States, the National Research Foundation was planned and set up, and this later became the National Science Foundation, which aims to advance the progress of science and technology.
Another change that was brought up as a consequence of the Second World War was the promotion of women’s rights. The war paved the way for women to demonstrate how they are also as capable as men. When a large number of men were enlisted by their country to participate in the war, women were left at home to take on their jobs. Before the war, women were generally expected to work at home and take care of the needs of her family. Things changed when men have to leave their job during the war, and women have to take over jobs in offices, factories and the farm. In the process, the women were able to acquire and develop many skills, and life for them will never be the same again even after the men came back after the war.
Conclusion
The Second World War brought destruction in many countries, and this leads to the creation of the United Nations. The UN was created to prevent the progression of further wars, as WWII resulted in a massive loss. But while there were negative impacts of the war, it also caused the achievement of independence of the colonial countries. Further, it paved the way for the development of science and technology, as well as the much needed women empowerment.
Works Cited
Bridgstock, Martin. Science, Technology and Society. Cambridge University Press, 1998. Print.
Harrison, Mark. The Economics of World War II: Sic Great Powers International. Cambridge University Press, 2000. Print.
McNeese, Tim. The Cold War and Post War American 1946-1963. Infobase Publishing, 2010. Print.
Rothgeb, John. Foreign Investment and Political Conflict in Developing Countries. Greenwood Publishing Group, 1996. Print.
