1945: The Year That Changed The World-Victory in Europe-May, June and July

Once the War in Europe had been won the fate of the big three powers changed radically. The Russians wanted to control large parts of Europe and the Americans were not prepared to back up the British in their fight to keep Eastern Europe out of Stalin’s grip. By July a new world order began to emerge dominated by two, not three, superpowers. The British threw out Churchill and elected a Labour government, bringing in a welfare state, which set the shape of British politics for the rest of the century.The Americans decided to end their pre war isolation and become a world power, taking on their new rival Russian which went from being an ally to an enemy in 12 months. And Stalin chose to crack down at home rather than liberalise.The human cost of war was massive and it continued after the war ended in Europe. During peacetime millions died from starvation and violence born of retribution.Veiled threats and broken promises between the big three started to shape the future of millions of people.