Humanities - History Flashcards
When Did World War 2 Begin and End? (dates)
1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945
Who was the leader (PM) of Australian during WW2?
John Curtin
Who was the leader of Britain during WW2?
Winston Churchill
How did the Japanese enter World War 2 (in the pacific) ?
Bombing Pearl Harbour on the 7th December 1942 to destroy America’s pacific fleet to prevent the Americans from intervening in the pacific.
- At first the damage inflicted was thought to be successful but they underestimated the amount of resources and military Americans had.
How did America Come into the war?
Pearl Harbour Attack caused the USA, Australia and Netherlands to declare war in Japan.
Germany (ally of japan) declared war on USA
—- thus USA was brought into the European war
Japan in the War (before pearl harbour attack)
- Was part of the Allied powers during WW1 but left due to disappointment from the treaty of Versailles; was only given the benefit of Chinese territory seized from Germany, the japs still wanted more
- Japan influence was very limited due to western powers Eg USA
- During Great Depression, mass unemployment and social problems hit the nation which lead to the rise of a military government; military was more aggressive in solving economic problems.
- Japan came up with the idea of ‘Asian Co-prosperity sphere’ so that Asia would exist free of western influence (japan would rule)
- late 1930s allied with Germany and joined Axis powers
How did the Japanese do in the War?
- very successful first 2 years + Conquered many nations
Eg did the impossible by taking over Singapore which was thought impossible to invade due to strong British presence
(Australia felt protected but when Singapore fell many nations including Australia panicked)
What Happened on the Kokoda Track?
- The loss of Battle of the Coral Sea meant that japan had to make a land-based attack in order to reach Port Moresby, so they landed their troops on the far side of Puapua New Guinea
- All experienced Australian troops had already been fighting for more than two years in Europe, so they were not called in to fight. Instead, newly conscripted Aus soldiers (nicknamed Chocos) had to fight alongside soldiers from Puapua New Guinea.
- There were many small battles along the Kokoda Track, and at certain points japan had to retreat and the allies advanced, and the Japanese then advanced as the allies retreated. In the first twos years, Japan were successful, but soon after the Allied forces beat them.
- The main ‘turning point’ of the Kokoda Trail battle was the Battle of Iruvana, where the Australian forces were running out of morale as well as supplies, but then the AIF arrived and helped to fight.
- This enabled the allies to push back the Japanese once and for all, on 2 November, the allied forces took control of Port Moresby and Japan were defeated.
What happened after the fall of Singapore?
- British Surrender quickly to the Japanese soldiers
- Australia Needs new allies but cannot seek Britain because they are not influential in the pacific so Australia joins the USA.
Explain essay question discuss
Essay Question = Discuss question
Discuss; 2 sides,
positive/ strengths/benefits
negative/weaknesses/ drawbacks
The conclusion
Eg Australia fighting in war
- men died, money loss, weakened relationship with Britain Eg Singapore
- more Jobs at home, women working and strengthened relationship with America
What was the purpose of the treaty of Versailles? And who was part of it?
Allied powers (France, USA, Britain, Italy) met outside of France to negotiate the terms of surrender the Axis powers and agreed on a set of penalties.
Who were the ‘Big Three’?
Big Three’: British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, French Premier George Clemenceau and US President Woodrow Wilson.
Key outcomes of the treaty of Versailles… What were the harsh terms on Germany?
- Reparations: for the War guilt cause, making Germany responsible and pay for all loss and damages during WW1
- Limited Army : Banned conscription, only 100 000 men in army, disbanded Air Force and limited factories for weapons and ammunition
- Colonies division: German colonies where divided among allied nations, including Australia getting German New Guinea and Naruru
- German territories where given to neighbouring nations, Czechoslovakia was created by the reclaimed by nations
The purpose of the league of nation?
The League of Nations was established with aim of preventing another war and maintains world peace by settling disputes between nations via negotiations
When was the treaty of Versailles signed?
On 28 June 1919, the peace treaty that ended World War I was signed by Germany and the Allies at the Palace of Versailles
Treaty of Versailles effect on Germany
- devastating for Germany, both politically and economically
- made German economy weak and there was a Great Depression
- rise of dictatorship, by blaming Weimar Republic for signing the treaty and communism, fascism and militarism ideals for politics rose
Why did Germany sign treaty of Versailles?
If they didn’t sign then another war would outbreak and it will damage the whole of Germany as they are outnumbered.
What happened at the siege of Tobruk
Italy entered the war part of the German side, in June 1940 because the leader Benito Mussolini planned to conquer Egypt via Italian territory of Libya.
Australian troops led a British counterattack into Libya capturing Bardia, Tobruk and Benghazi.
Germany sent General Rommel to help Italian soldiers and pushed the British back to Egypt but a force of Australian and British troops held onto Tobruk.
German propaganda called them the ‘rats’, Australian troops gladly took the name rats of Tobruk and were known for being aggressive and successful despite harsh conditions and lack of air support.
Australian navy braved enemy air attacks and brought in supplies and evacuated the wounded.
By September 1941 majority of Australian troops had been replaced with polish men.
In 1942 Rommel did capture Tobruk in June
What happened at the Battle of Britain?
Luftwaffe was the German Airforce which directed its attention in destroying the royal airforce, then prevent the stop the Royal Navy from interfering with the German invasion fleet.
Germany then changed tactics and focused on bombing Britain’s industrial cities, this period is known as the Blitz.
The royal airforce including 100 Australians were extremely successful in resisting German attacks from July 1940-May 1941, by then where Germany focused on the invasion of Russia and the threat to brits have passed.
Explain the battle for Northern Australia?
-Fall of Singapore Brought the War Very close to Australia than at imagined, therefore women and children had been evacuated from Darwin and places where they feared Japanese attacks.
In 1942 19th February Japan launched an assault on Darwin killing 250 people
In 1943 Darwin had been struck with 64 airs raids and parts of Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland had also been struck.
