History 2024 Flashcards
When did World War I occur?
1914 - 1918
When did WWII occur
1939 - 1945
Who were the Axis powers
Germany, Italy and Japan
Who were the Allied Powers
France, Britain, United States and Australia
Why do wars start?
War is generally caused by a built-up of hatred and planning over many years. A war may then break out due to a variety of factors, including competition over land, religious conflicts, assassination, power, revenge, extremism and nationalism.
List the main causes for WWII starting
Treaty of Versailles
Appeasement Failure
Economic Downturn
Nazi Ideology and Lebensraum
Rise of Extremism
Explain Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was an agreement signed and made at the Paris Peace Conference after World War I had just ended. This treaty had a significant negative effect on Germany to weaken their nation, minimise any future threats and make them pay due to the belief they had caused World War I to begin. The Allied powers ultimately decided that Germany would have to pay reparations of $6.6 billion, be banned from having an army, and use armed forces such as tanks and loss of territory.
Despite the Treaty of Versailles being revengeful to avoid a Second World War, it is believed to have contributed to another war breaking out because its harsh terms crippled Germany economically, humiliated its people, and fueled resentment. Extremist leaders like Adolf Hitler exploited this. This anger and desire to overturn the treaty’s conditions directly contributed to the rise of the Nazi Party and the start of World War II.
Explain Appeasement failure
Britain aimed to avoid another war with Germany, so they adopted a policy of appeasement where they would give Hitler and the Nazis a small fraction of what they wanted, breaking parts of the Treaty of Versailles, to stop them from asking for more and starting a war. However, this failed and encouraged Hitler to take more aggressive actions, leading to World War II.
Explain Economic Downturn
Economic downturns created conditions of civil, political and international unrest. Specifically, the Great Depression that occurred in the 1920s-30s created conditions such as widespread unemployment that contributed to the ease of the Nazis’ rise to power through propaganda and the idea that Hitler would save everyone during the economic struggle.
Explain Nazi Ideology and Labensraum
The Nazis were a far-right political party with an ideology that believed Germans, known as Aryans, were racially superior to other races, particularly Jews, who were seen as inferior. As part of this belief, Hitler sought Lebensraum—more living space for the Aryan race. To achieve this, Hitler aimed to conquer other countries and take their land which led to fighting and inevitably the beginning of World War II.
Explain Rise of extremism
Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party adopted Nazism, which promoted extreme nationalism and rejected democracy. This ideology blamed Jews and communists for the country’s problems, fostering resentment and anger. Hitler aimed to expand German territory and restore national pride, believing another war was necessary. The aggressive expansionist policies and military rearmament directly led to conflicts with other nations, ultimately triggering the outbreak of World War II.
Where did Australia fight during WWII?
Over one million Australians, both men and women, served during World War II, with 500,000 deployed overseas. Australian forces were engaged in two main theatres of war: the European and Pacific fronts. In Europe, Australians fought across the continent, including in the Mediterranean and North Africa, notably in battles like El Alamein. In the Pacific theatre, they played a significant role in fighting against Japan in Southeast Asia and the wider Pacific, with the Kokoda Campaign in Papua New Guinea being one of the most famous and pivotal battles of WWII for Australia.
Why did nations get involved?
Nations such as Australia got involved in WWII for two main reasons: Nationalism and Imperialism. Nationalism is a strong pride in one’s country, sometimes leading to the belief that it is superior and should pursue its interests, even through expansion or conflict. When Australia went to war. Imperialism is the policy of expanding a nation’s power by taking control of other countries or territories, often for resources or strategic purposes.
Nationalism led countries like Germany, Japan, and Italy to seek greater power and dominance, believing in their national superiority and the need to expand their borders. Germany, under Hitler, aimed to restore national pride by overturning the Treaty of Versailles and expanding eastward for Lebensraum. Japan, driven by imperialism, sought to dominate Asia and secure vital resources, leading to the invasion of China and further expansion in the Pacific. Italy, under Mussolini, aimed to rebuild a Roman-style empire, particularly in Africa.
Nationalism also influenced the defensive responses of countries like Britain and France, who declared war on Germany to defend their borders and maintain their global influence. Imperialism played a key role in this, as both nations had vast colonial empires they wanted to protect from Axis expansion. The growing conflict between expansionist powers and nations defending their territories ultimately led to the global outbreak of World War II, with ideological goals like national superiority and empire-building driving much of the aggression.
What was the Universal Service Scheme?
Universal Service Scheme was the first system of compulsory military service in Australia, requiring compulsory military training.
What was the Defence Act 1903?
Defence Act 1903 was the Australian legislation created for the naval and military defence of Australia. It sets rules for its organisations and operations.
Why did Australians get involved?
Australians were initially hesitant to get involved in World War II due to the lingering effects of World War I, which had lost its earlier sense of glory. Prime Minister Robert Menzies hesitated to commit troops to Europe, and Australia’s military was depleted, with only about 3,000 professional soldiers and a volunteer militia, the Citizen Military Force (CMF). Early enthusiasm was low, but the creation of the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in 1939, with a commitment of 20,000 troops, marked a turning point. Excitement about advancements in technology and higher wages, particularly in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), attracted more Australians to join.
The Fall of France in 1940 shocked the nation, leading to a significant rise in recruitment as Australia began to feel more directly threatened by the global conflict. Because Britain declared war on Germany, Australia, as part of the British Empire, automatically entered the war, fostering a sense of national duty and obligation. The Fall of Singapore in 1942 brought the war closer to home, sparking fears of invasion by Japan and resulting in the full mobilisation of the population. As Australia became more directly involved in the Pacific theatre, the government introduced conscription, unlike in World War I, to meet the growing need for soldiers. Conscription which was introduced in 1964 forced thousands of men to fight for Australia. Ultimately, a combination of fear, national duty, and excitement about new opportunities motivated everyday Australians to fight in the war.
What is conscription?
Conscription is the Compulsory enlistment for state service, typically in the armed forces.
What was the Ballot system?
The Ballot system involved drawing birthdates randomly to determine which individuals would be called for service
What was the Australian Imperial Force (AIF)?
Australian Imperial Force (AIF) was the volunteer army serving in the First and Second World War
Outline the History of conscription in Australia
At the outbreak of WWI, the government was allowed to conscript men but only for defensive purposes and they could not be conscripted for overseas service. When numbers for the AIF decreased the Hughes Labor government held two votes to introduce conscription, the ‘no’ prevalent on both occasions. During WWII the number of volunteers was seriously depleted after seeing the effects of WWI. After realising Australia needed protection from the Japanese invasion and that sending more troops would impress Australian British and American Allies, The Defence Act 1943 was passed and conscripts could fight overseas including the South-West Pacific Zone. The Ballot system was used and conscripted men joined the CMF.
What was the Citizens Military Force (CMF)?
Citizens Military Force (CMF) was the reserve military force
Explain the patterns of continuity in tactics, nature of fighting and weapons.
Tactics:
Both wars used large-scale infantry movements and trench systems, though less prominent in WWII.
Use of naval blockades and submarines to disrupt enemy supplies.
Conscription although in WWII men were conscripted for overseas fighting as well
Propaganda was heavily used to persuade men to enlist in war by promoting a sense of comradery and duty
The use of submarines however was more advanced and more prevalent in WWII
Nature of Fighting:
Massive casualties due to new weaponry and large-scale battles.
Brutal
Weapons:
Large Machine guns, artillery, and
Tanks were introduced in WWI and used more effectively in WWII.
Aircraft were used in both wars for combat and bombing, though their role expanded greatly in WWII.
Outline the Kokoda Campaign
Japan’s potential capture of Port Moresby could have led to attacks on Australia. Therefore, Prime Minister John Curtin recalled troops to defend Australia. This initial campaign was fought by underprepared militia units called the ‘Maroubra Force.’ This was composed of CMF and the local Papuan. They lacked training in jungle warfare and had outdated weapons, with many soldiers being inexperienced teenagers. Japns only route through to Port Moresby was the Kokoda trail - this is where Australia fought with Japan. The initial Australian soldiers suffered heavy casualties and they were severely outnumbered. However, the AIF began to arrive, providing a vital boost for the Maroubra Force. The Japanese commander decided to withdraw from the Kokoda campaign and retreat to Templeton Crossing. Here, the Australians defeat Japan and reclaim Kokoda.
Explain the patterns of change in tactics, nature of fighting and weapons.
Tactics:
More mobile warfare with fast-paced Blitzkrieg tactics was used by Germany, emphasizing speed and coordination between infantry, tanks, and aircraft.
Introduced Conscription overseas to allow for more men to fight for Australia
Nature of Fighting:
War was fought across multiple theatres - Europe and the Pacific - with much more rapid advances and technological coordination.
Included significant naval battles and air campaigns
Involved more varied terrains like forests, jungles, and muddy, swampy conditions
War was more focused in cities than in trenches although there was still the Magniot Lines
War was not fought on the Western Front or in France
Weapons:
Introduced advanced tanks, long-range bombers, and more sophisticated aircraft, including jet fighters near the end.
Atomic bombs were developed and used for the first time
Introduced more advanced technology, including code-breaking machines, radar, improved tanks, long-range bombers, and jet fighters.
Describe the Maginot Line
The French government embarked on a plan to safeguard France’s border with Germany. The French built a line of ‘super trenches’ known as the Maginot Line. Unfortunately for France, the Germans successfully bypassed it. However, it still provided time for the army to mobilise and acted as a shield of protection for French soldiers. This highlights the changing nature of warfare through a more advanced trench system compared to WWI, with new and improved aircraft and tanks, and there was no longer a stalemate in the trenches.
Describe Blitzkreig
First used by Germans in 1939, it involves rapid and well-coordinated air and land attacks to surprise and overwhelm the enemy. After the initial attack from the air, slower-moving ground forces ‘mopped up’ the overwhelmed defenders and took control of their territory. This tactic contributed to the early success of the Nazi German military. This highlighted the change in warfare to smarter and more effective plans. In addition, this focused mainly on attacking large cities and countries and destroying buildings and civilian homes.
Describe the Code breakers
A sophisticated new way of sending secret messages during WWII. A machine known as the ‘Enigma’ translated the Axis powers’ communication, which could not be cracked by the Allied powers for a long time. However, in 1941, British codebreakers developed the ‘Bombe’ that deciphered the code. This then allowed the Allies to intercept German communication and change the outcome of many wars.
Describe Atomic Bombs
During WWII, the most devastating of all new weaponry was the atomic bomb. Atomic bombs were dropped from planes and other aerial machines and had devastating results on the area and the people they were dropped upon. Unsuspecting victims were immediately killed, and their homes and towns were destroyed. The most significant use of the atomic bomb was by Japan in 1945, which ultimately led to the end of WWII.
What was the experience of Prisoners of War (POWs)?
POW stands for Prisoner of War. This is someone being held captive by the enemy during war. Typically they
were tortured and treated very badly. In the course of WWII, approximately 37,000 Australians became
Prisoners of War. German and Italian forces captured about 15,500 Australians in campaigns across Europe and
The Middle East. They became POWs and were placed in camps in Austria, Germany and Poland. The
Japanese captured over 22,000 Australians, most of whom were taken prisoner when Singapore surrendered to
the Japanese on 15 February 1942. They were placed in POW camps throughout East Asia. Australians staying
In Japanese camos were especially badly treated due to their ideals that one should rather die than surrender.
Germany and Italy signed the Geneva Convention (an agreement that POWS could not be tortured) and
Therefore did not see the need to treat POWS poorly.
The three main POW camps in East Asia were:
The Burma Thailand Railway
The Changi POW Camp
The Sandakan Death March
In these camps, POWs were treated very badly and lived under poor conditions, and cramped living spaces and were
Commonly starved, beaten and forced to work long hours. Overall, POWs had a horrible experience filled with
Cruelty, heartbreak and death. However, this was also contrasted by acts of selflessness and humanity. For example,
showed remarkable solidarity and support for one another. They shared limited food and resources and looked after
fellow inmates’ health and well-being.
What was the experience of Women?
During WWII women experienced significant changes as they stepped into roles traditionally held by men
due to labor shortages while they were away fighting for their country. Women filled their jobs, encouraged by
‘Rosie the Riveter.’ These jobs included clerks, builders and mechanics. Others worked in factories that
produced ammunition, aircraft, food, uniforms and weapons. The rest stayed at home and looked after their
Children and completed domestic duties. They also served in auxiliary military services like the Women’s
Army Corps (WAC.) The war challenged traditional gender norms and changed perceptions of women in
society. Although many faced personal loss and discrimination in the workplace, their contributions laid
the groundwork for future movements advocating for gender equality. After the war, while some were
expected to return to domestic roles, their experiences significantly influenced the push for women’s rights
in the following decades.
What was the experience of Combatants?
During World War II, both Australian combatants faced harsh and challenging conditions. Australian soldiers often navigated the dense jungles and rugged terrain of the Pacific campaigns, particularly on the Kokoda Track, where they contended with thick vegetation, treacherous mud, and a hot, humid climate. The heavy rain created muddy paths that complicated movement and logistics, while poor sanitation and limited access to clean water increased the risk of diseases like malaria. These harsh conditions not only affected their health but also their morale, as many soldiers struggled with fatigue and the psychological toll of warfare. The Australian army often consisted of inexperienced teenagers and volunteers. The war also impacted their personal lives, as they dealt with separation from family and uncertainty about the future. Despite the struggles, Australian soldiers exhibited resilience and camaraderie, often forming deep bonds with their fellow servicemen, which became a source of strength in the face of adversity. They inspired Australia through the depths they went to fight for their country and how they put their lives on the line in the process.
