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原題目題號：DSE-2015-Essay-04
第二次世界大戰在哪些方面是西方歷史在1900-69年間的一個轉捩點？
背景 第二次世界大戰對世界歷史產生了極大的意義，更加是現代西方政治、經濟、軍事等方面歷史的轉捩點。 // 架構以下，將會從領導地位、冷戰的出現、法西斯主義的發展、經濟統合、軍事科技的革新去討論二次大戰如何成為現代西方歷史的轉捩點。
主旨句 其一，政治方面，二次大戰使美、蘇取締英、法成為了國際事務的主導國，為一轉捩點。 // 時期A(核心點前) 二次世界大戰前，美國基於實行孤立政策而盡量避免接觸國際事務，而蘇聯就因為是共產主義而受到西方國家的孤立，此時期的國際事務由英、法主導，例如國聯主要由英、法兩國維持運作等。 // 時期B(核心點的影響及往後的情況) 然而，二次大戰使美、蘇取替了英、法的地位。由於英、法受戰爭破壞，國力衰退，相反，美國本土未有直接受到戰火攻擊，加上戰時大量借貸予歐洲國家，成為全球最大的債權國，同時，蘇聯於戰爭期間大肆擴張共產主義勢力，赤化了多個東歐國家，勢力割據一方。最終，美、蘇兩國崛起並取代了英、法的主導地位，例如美國和蘇聯分別推出馬歇爾計劃(1948年)及莫洛托夫計劃(1947年)以支援西歐及東歐的經濟重建，成為手執牛耳的強級大國。 // 對比(~20%) 相比之下，就國際事務的主導國而言，二次大戰前的國際事務由英、法所主導，但二次大戰改變了此一狀況，隨著英、法的衰弱，美、蘇進一步崛起成為兩大陣營的首領，奠定了美、蘇主導國際事務的新秩序，可見是西方歷史的轉捩點。
其二，政治方面，二次大戰導致了冷戰的出現，為西方歷史的轉捩點。二次大戰前，冷戰未有出現歐洲，因共產蘇聯受到歐洲國家的圍堵，勢力未能擴展至東歐地區，因此共產主義國際革命仍然未成氣候，未有形成冷戰的出現。然而，隨著二次大戰期間，蘇聯在反攻德國時乘勢擴張共產主義，扶植東歐各國的共產勢力，使蘇聯的勢力大增，於戰後控制了波蘭、捷克等多個衛星國。結果，美國與西歐國家積極對抗共產主義的擴張，例如美國於1947年提出杜魯門主義，提出4億美元予希臘及土耳其以支持兩國對付共產主義分子，及後又於1949年柏林危機中建立北約，以蘇聯為假想敵，避免成員國受到赤化。至於蘇聯也於1955年成立華沙公約，團結東歐國家作出反抗，最終形成了資本主義陣營與共產主義陣營對抗的冷戰局面。相比之下，就冷戰的出現而言，二次大戰前共產主義的發展受到局限，但隨著共產主義於二次大戰期間大肆發展，戰後大大威脅到資本主義國家的安全，最終形成戰後資本主義與共產主義陣營的對抗局面，促使了冷戰的出現，可見是西方歷史的轉捩點。
其三，政治方面，二次大戰是法西斯主義發展的轉捩點。二次大戰前，法西斯主義未有受到壓止，更肆虐歐洲，例如法西斯主義的墨索里尼於1922年在意大利上台；納粹主義的希特拉也於1933年取得政權。此時期西方國家恐懼共產主義多於法西斯主義，因此未有遏止法西斯主義的擴張。然而，由於二次大戰是由德、意等法西斯國家所挑起，因此為了防止法西斯主義再次興起而致戰爭的爆發，同盟國於戰爭後期的會議就開始致力剷除法西斯主義，例如於《波茨坦協定》(1945年)中規定建立民主以剷除納粹黨。及後，於對意大利及芬蘭等戰敗國的條約時也明確規定需要解散法西斯組織及審判相關人士，奠定了反法西斯的新秩序。結果，法西斯主義於二次大戰後開始於西方銷聲匿跡，例如西德和意大利變為民主國家，而東德則變為共產主義國家。相比之下，就法西斯主義的發展而言，二次大戰前西方國家未有壓制法西斯主義的發展，但對於同盟國而言，二次大戰是一場反法西斯的戰爭，因此於戰後積極剷除法西斯主義，締造了反法西斯的新秩序，使法西斯主義於戰後式微，可見是西方歷史的轉捩點。
其四，經濟方面，二次大戰開啟了歐洲經濟統合，是西方歷史的轉捩點。二次大戰前，西方未有出現大規模的經濟統合，只有部分小國在經濟上進行合作，例如比利時和盧森堡建立比盧經濟聯盟(1921年)。更甚，於經濟大蕭條(1929年)發生後，各國更建立起貿易壁壘以保護國內工業，並不熱衷於經濟上的合作。然而，二次大戰對西方國家造成了重大的破壞，共產主義於惡劣的經濟環境下迅速擴張。及後，為了對抗共產主義的傳播，美國於1948年推行馬歇爾計劃，而西歐國家為了分配美國的貸款就建立歐洲經濟合作組織(1948年)，開啟了西歐的經濟合作，及後更進一步成立歐洲煤鋼共同體(1952年)及歐洲經濟共同體(1958年)等組織。同時，蘇聯為防東歐衛星國受馬歇爾計劃所吸引，於1947年就推行莫洛托夫計劃(1947年)，及後亦成立了經濟互相委員會(1949年)，加強東歐國家間的經濟合作。相比之下，就歐洲經濟合作而言，二次大戰前西方國家不熱衷於經濟上的合作，但二次大戰改變了此情況，美國於戰後為避免西歐國家受到赤化而提出馬歇爾計劃，結果開啟了西歐的經濟統合，也使蘇聯加強在與東歐國家的經濟合作，可見二次大戰是西方歷史的轉捩點。
其五，軍事方面，二次大戰導致軍事科技的大幅革新，是西方歷史的轉捩點。二次大戰前，西方國家的軍事科技主要著眼於陸軍及海軍，例如倫敦海軍會議(1930年)便是限制英、美、日海軍的裁軍會議。西方國家當時未有將空軍大規模應用於軍事上，而且核武並未於二次大戰前成功研發出來。然而，二次大戰是西方軍事科技的轉捩點。由於同盟國和軸心國均希望取得戰爭的勝利，因此積極研發大殺傷力的武器，包括大規模將飛機投入戰爭，更甚，美國於戰爭後期研發出原子彈，成為結束太平洋戰爭的秘密武器。戰後，蘇聯恐懼美國會利用原子彈對付自己，因此也致力研發核武，於1949年成功試爆原子彈。往後，英、法兩國也相繼於1952年和1960年研發出核武，成為第三和第四個擁有核武的國家，可見西方國家間出現了核武器的競賽。相比之下，就軍事科技的發展而言，二次大戰前空軍未有全面投入戰爭中，而且核武器並未出現，但二次大戰大大加速了軍事科技的發展，空軍全面投入戰爭，核武器競賽更出現於二次大戰後，成為決定國家及戰爭勝負的新指標，可見二次大戰是西方軍事科技歷史的轉捩點。
總括而言，二次大戰對西方帶來了翻天覆地的劇變，是西方歷史的轉捩點。其中，在領導地位、冷戰的出現、法西斯主義的發展、經濟統合及軍事科技發展的影響尤其明顯，帶來了徹底的轉變。
In what ways was the Second World War a turning point in Western history in the period 1900-69?
The Second World War (WWII) brought great significance to the world history, western history in particular. It was even a turning point of western history in terms of political, economic and military aspects. In the following essay, the world leadership, the emergence of Cold War, the development of Fascism, economic cooperation and the breakthrough of military science will be discussed, all of which will account for how the WWII became the turning point of western history.
First, politically, the WWII replaced the world leadership of Britain and France with the US and the USSR. It was the US and USSR who led the world affairs after the WWII so it was indeed a turning point for world history. Before the WWII, the US adopted the isolationist policy孤立政策 so as not to interfere with international affairs. As for the USSR, due to her adoption of communism, she was isolated from the west. At this period, Britain and France dominated the world affairs. The most obvious example was the running of the League of Nations (the League) by Britain and France. However, the WWII took away the leadership of Britain and France as it brought great destructions to them, which weakened their power. On the contrary, the US had not been under attack on her territories during the WWII, together with the huge loans granted for the western countries, making her the biggest creditor after the WWII. Meanwhile, the USSR was proactive in spreading communism during the WWII, Sovietizing many Eastern European countries, which enabled her to become another power. Their rise replaced the leadership of Britain and France as the world leaders. For example, the US and USSR implemented the Marshall Plan馬歇爾計劃(1948) and the Molotov Plan莫洛托夫計劃(1947) respectively, which helped the recovery of western and Eastern European countries after the war. This in turn allowed the US and USSR to become superpowers. Comparatively speaking, in terms of countries taking the lead in global affairs, such affairs before WWII were dominated by Britain and France. While WWII altered the situation, with the decline of Britain and France, the US and USSR further became the leader of 2 blocs. This laid a solid foundation for the US and USSR to be in charge of international affairs. Hence, WWII was a turning point of western history.
Second, in political aspect, the WWII gave rise to the emergence of the Cold War, which was a turning point in western history. Before the WWII, there was no Cold War. Since the USSR was under the containment of European countries, Soviet international revolution共產主義國際革命 still did not take place. However, during the WWII, the USSR spread communism when she was counterattacking Nazi Germany. Many Soviet satellites such as Poland波蘭 and Czechoslovakia捷克 thus emerged, which strengthened the power of the USSR. Eventually, after the WWII, the US and other Western European countries were eager to stop the spread of communism. For instance, the Truman Doctrine杜魯門主義(1947) introduced provided US$ 400 million for Greece希臘 and Turkey土耳其 to counterbalance the Soviet. Afterwards, the US even set up the North Atlantic Treaty Organization北約(1949) during the Berlin Crisis柏林危機, treating the Soviet as her enemy in order to prevent her counterparts from being sovietized. Regarding the USSR, she also set up the Warsaw Pact華沙公約 in 1955, unifying the Eastern European countries to counteract, creating a confrontation among the capitalist and communist bloc. Comparatively speaking, concerning the emergence of the Cold War, the development of communism was restricted before WWII. With the rising power of the USSR during the WWII, she gradually became a threat to the US and Western European countries. A confrontation among the capitalist and communist bloc was thus created, causing the emergence of Cold War. Hence, WWII was a turning point of western history.
Third, politically, the WWII was a turning point for the development of Fascism. Before the WWII, the growth of Fascism法西斯主義 was not restricted and it even spread across Europe. For instance, in Italy, Benito Mussolini rose to power in 1922 while in Germany, Nazi Hitler gained power in 1933. During this period, western countries feared communism more than Fascism. Therefore, they did not try their utmost to stop the rise of Fascism. However, owing to the fact that the WWII was initiated by Fascist Italy as well as Germany. With a view to preventing the outbreak of war created by Fascist countries, the US and Western European countries were enthusiastic about eliminating Fascism through wartime meetings in the latter period. Take the Potsdam Agreement波茨坦協定(1945) as an example. The agreement stated that democracy should be built and that Nazism should be removed. Besides, for the defeated countries like Italy and Finland芬蘭, their post-war settlements stated the cancellation and dissolution of Fascist-related organizations and people. This laid a foundation for anti-Fascist international order. Eventually, Fascism was disappeared after WWII as exemplified by West Germany and Italy that became democractic and East Germany that turned communist. Comparatively speaking, in terms of development of Fascism, the West did not suppress the growth of Fascism before WWII. Yet, for the US and the west, WWII was a war against Fascism. Hence, they were eager to eliminate Fascism after WWII, creating an anti-fascist international order. Hence, WWII was a turning point of Western history.
Fourth, economically, the WWII started the economic cooperation in Europe, being a turning point of western history. Before the WWII, there was no large-scale economic cooperation in Europe. There were only some small countries cooperate to boost the economy. For example, the Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union比盧經濟聯盟(1921) formed by the Belgium比利時 and Luxembourg盧森堡. Worse still, after the Great Depression經濟大蕭條(1929), every country enforced protectionism, building trade barrier in an attempt to protect the industry of their countries. They were not passionate about economic cooperation. However, the WWII seriously destructed the economy of the European countries, allowing the rise and spread of communism. Afterwards, in a bid to counteract the spread of communism that developed rapidly under poor economic situation, the US soon launched the Marshall Plan馬歇爾計劃 in 1948, beginning the economic cooperation in Europe. To distribute the aid given by the US evenly, the Organization for European Economic Cooperation歐洲經濟合作組織 was established by the Western European countries. Moreover, the European Coal and Steel Community歐洲煤鋼共同體 and the European Economic Community歐洲經濟共同體 were founded in 1952 and 1958 respectively to promote further economic cooperation. In the meantime, the USSR, launched the Molotov Plan莫洛托夫計劃 in 1947 so as to prevent her satellite states from being lured by the Marshall Plan. They even set up the COMECON經濟互相委員會 in 1949 to distribute the loan evenly, strengthening the economic cooperation among Eastern Europe. Comparatively speaking, in terms of European economic cooperation, the West was not willing to carry out economic cooperation before WWII. Yet, the WWII changed the situation as the US feared Western countries from being sovietized and introduced the Marshall Plan. This began the economic cooperation in the west, at the same time prompting that in Eastern Europe. Hence, WWII was a turning point of western history.
Fifth, in military aspect, the WWII contributed to the development of military science, which was a turning point in the west. Before the WWII, the west put great emphasis on the army and navy. For instance, the London Naval Conference倫敦海軍會議 in 1930 was a naval disarmament conference among the US, Britain and Japan. At that period of time, air force and nuclear weapons were not widely employed in the west. However, the WWII was a turning point in the west. Since both sides hoped to gain victory, they set great store by making destructive weapons, including the involvement of air force and the use of atomic bombs原子彈. The US even ended the Pacific War by dropping two atomic bombs. After the war, the USSR, for fear that the US would use damaging weapons against her, was enthusiastic about making powerful weapons. In 1949, she succeeded in making atomic bombs. Later, Britain and France also succeeded in making nuclear weapons in 1952 and 1960, becoming the third and the fourth country possessing nuclear weapons. Hence, armaments race began among them. Comparatively speaking, in terms of development of military technology, air force was not widely used and nuclear weapons were absent before WWII. Yet, the world war sped up the military development including the adoption of air force and nuclear weapons, which caused the armament race. Hence, WWII was a turning point of western history.
All in all, the WWII brought huge impacts on the west, being a turning point in various aspects, among which the changes in world leadership, emergence of Cold War, the development of Fascism, the beginning of economic cooperation as well as the development of military science were mostly obvious.
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