Shirmz’s Reviews > Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945 > Status Update

The Impossible Settlement: The post-war peace settlement. US & UK let Red Army take control of the governments they occupied in Eastern Europe. US-UK know there isn't a choice.

There's no plan for what to do with Germany after the war. Allies split it into zones. France, US, UK believe the best thing to do is to integrate their zones back into Europe. USSR disagrees. This is when the iron curtain comes down.

The Impossible Settlement: The post-war peace settlement. US & UK let Red Army take control of the governments they occupied in Eastern Europe. US-UK know there isn't a choice.

There's no plan for what to do with Germany after the war. Allies split it into zones. France, US, UK believe the best thing to do is to integrate their zones back into Europe. USSR disagrees. This is when the iron curtain comes down.

Finished the chapter “The Rehabilitation of Europe,” about how the continent recovered its infrastructure, economies and social services. This marks the introduction of the “welfare state” in Western Europe. Judt posits that WWII transformed the expectations of the state because citizens craved personal and social security and believed only the government could solve these large-scale problems.

Slow and steady wins the race! One more chapter down in my 2019 resolution to finish Post War, a book a bought 12 years ago.

In case you're curious, here's a one-sentence wrap up of the "Retribution" chapter: Most Nazis were not punished.

I bought this book in 2007. Started reading it, put it down.
Then bought it on kindle. Same.

Really enjoyed it, intimidated by the size.

10+ years later, my New Years resolution? Read Post War.

I read Chapter 1!