What happened to Great Britain and Poland during World War II and the Cold War?
During the War UK Held out alone against the Nazis – Batte of Britain Lost 100s of thousands dead Was bankrupted and in debt to USA Had cities bombed flat by Luftwaffe (the Blitz) Won in the end (with US & Soviet allies) Poland Was defeated by Nazis & Soviets in 1939 Was split between Nazis & Soviets in Molotov-Ribbentrop pact Lost millions of dead Especially the Jews, who were killed in extermination camps on Polish soil Many volunteers fought with the allies against the Nazis After the War – Cold War UK Believed it was still a great power (until Suez) Was key NATO member and ally of USA Gave back all its colonial possessions Rebuilt its infrastrucure and economy Major player in consumer/pop culture Poland Was moved West, taking over previously German territory & losing land to Russia Was a satellite state of USSR, no democracy Member of Warsaw Pact Rebuilt but was never as prosperous as Western Europe Started off the end of Cold War with Lech Walensa & Solidarity Since end of Cold Wa
