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Germany Invades Poland
Historical Significance:
- This invasion would ultimately initiate World War II as England and France would react by declaring war on Germany -
Germany Invades Denmark and Norway
Cause(s):
- The attack on Denmark was planned as a part of the German Operation "Weserübung Süd" that called for an invasion of Norway
- Germany hoped to secure the iron ore shipping from Narvik
Effect(s):
- Denmark would surrender on the day of the attack; Norway would surrender June 9th
- Germany was now in an ideal position to strike outward towards Iceland and Greenland
- Approximately 200 casualties and losses -
Fall of France
Historical Perspective:
- German citizens would react positively to France's capitulation; the swift victory resulted in a wave of excitement among the German population
- Hitler's popularity reached its peak Historical Significance:
- This military campaign would end the state of "phoney war" between the Allies and Axis powers
- Hitler's brilliant strategy caught the Allies by surprise and Germany was able to occupy France within six weeks -
Battle of Dunkirk: Dunkirk Evacuation
Historical Significance:
- Dunkirk evacuation, code-named Operation Dynamo, relieved allied forces from a colossal military disaster
- The operation, as described by Winston Churchill, was a "miracle" that enabled the Allies to continue the war and improved British morale -
Italy opportunistically enters the war
Historical Perspective:
- Italy's lack of raw materials made Mussolini wary of participating in the war; German occupation of Paris would change this
- Mussolini was determined to enter the war only if Italy was to be victorious (wanted the spoils of war without too much risk); the collapse of France provided this assurance
- Once certain Italy would benefit, Mussolini viewed joining the war as an opportunity to expand his Empire; planned to secure British dominions in Africa -
Battle of Britain
Continuity and Change:
- The Battle of Britain was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces; airplanes played a crucial role in combat
- Since the Battle of Britain, airplanes have developed rapidly in terms of design and technological advancements
- Planes today use more complex materials, contain all kinds of artillery and are used more actively in commercial industries -
Tripartite Pact
Historical Significance:
- Germany, Italy and Japan signed a treaty and were now allies against England and France
- The treaty was seen as a warning to the United States to stop assisting England and France in the war effort
- The treaty would act as a defensive military alliance; resulted in long lasting change as it would help Germany become a greater threat -
TURNING POINT 1: Operation Barbarossa
Historical Perspective:
- Germany severely underestimated the Soviet Union; believed Soviet armed forces were weak and deficient
- Hitler stated "we have only to kick in the door and the whole rotten structure will come crashing down."; Nazi Germany was extremely optimistic following its success against the Western allies in France
- Barbarossa was a crucial turning point in World War II; its failure forced Nazi Germany to fight a two-front war that it was incapable of winning -
TURNING POINT 2: Attack on Pearl Harbor
Ethical Dimension:
- The attack took place without formal declaration of war by Japan; many historians proclaim the attack to be a war crime
- The attack violated the 1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact, which prohibited war of aggression,and the 1907 Hague Convention that prohibited any "initiation of hostilities" without explicit warning;this was unjust to those stationed at Pearl Harbor
- Crucial turning point as United States would enter the war and significantly contribute towards Germany's defeat -
United States declares war on Japan
Cause(s):
- Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor without any formal declaration of war or explicit warning Effect(s):
- The United States would enter the war and significantly contribute towards the defeat of the Axis powers
- U.S went from providing simple assistance to England and France during the war effort to being a primary ally -
The Battle of Midway
Historical Significance:
- United States was able to prevent and counter Japan’s ambush on its few remaining aircraft carriers
- American naval victory at Battle of Midway marked a turning point in the Pacific War; this victory allowed the allies to move into an offensive position -
TURNING POINT 3: Battle of Stalingrad
Historical Significance: Turning point 3
- Soviety victory at Stalingard played an important role in the downfall of Nazi Germany; the war now appeared to be in favor of the Allies
- The victory prevented Germany from using Stalingrad as a strategic point that they planned to launch further assaults from -
Battle of El Alamein
Historical Significance:
- The battle would mark the first major Allied landing of the war
- Triumph during the Battle of El Alamein significantly restored British morale during World War II -
Casablanca Conference
Historical Significance:
- Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill focused on coordinating military strategies against the Axis powers
- Both leaders concentrated their efforts against Germany and developed offensives; the invasion of Sicily was introduced and agreed upon during the conference
- This meeting would be crucial in the development of future Allied strategic plans and resulted in the promulgation of the policy of unconditional surrender -
Allied invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky)
Cause(s):
- The Allied forces hoped to secure the central Mediterranean (shipping lanes and bomber bases)
- The Allies were convinced an invasion would force Germany to disperse its forces and correspondingly remove Italy from the war Effect(s):
- Operation Husky was a success
- Germans suffered some 29,000 casualties, Italian losses are estimated at 137,000
- Allied forces: 25,000 casualties
- Prime Minister Benito Mussolini was deposed and arrested; Italian fascist regime crumbled -
Armistice of Cassibile; Operation Axis
Historical Perspective:
- Germany reacted to Italy's armistice by introducing Operation Axis in which they planned to occupy Italy
- The Germans felt Operation Axis was the most effective method for keeping Italian navy vessels out of the hands of the Allies -
D-Day: Normandy Landings
Cause(s):
- Prior to D-Day, allies conducted a deception campaign designed to mislead the Germans
- D-Day would mark the beginning of the end of war in Europe; intended to weaken Germany and liberate France from Nazi control Effect(s):
- D-Day forced Germans to fight a two front war (as they had in WW1)
- Contributed to allied victory in war
- Led to liberation of France from Nazi control
- 4000-9000 non-civilian casualties and losses -
Adolf Hitler commits suicide
Historical Perspective:
- Hitler was aware that his defeat was imminent
- The Russians were closing in quickly and Hitler knew he would be tortured and humiliated; he took matters into his own hands and committed suicide -
VE Day
Historical Significance:
- VE Day marked the formal acceptance of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces; represented the end of World War II in Europe -
Atomic bombings of Japan
Date: August 6th and 9th 1945 Ethical Dimension:
- Many questioned the ethical implications of the bombings
- The use of such weapons was not justified as it resulted in the deaths of many innocent people
- Over 100,000 civilians died slow, horrendous deaths as a result of radiation poisoning -
Japan surrenders
Historical Perspective:
- Japan was aware that it was now powerless and susceptible to the allied powers; its navy and air force was completely destroyed
- The intensive bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki had left the country and its economy devastated; Japan was forced to surrender
