WWII Events Flashcards
What were some of the long term factors for the start of WWII?
From October 1929 an economic depression, starting in America, spread across the world. Millions were thrown out of work – some starved to death.
People were angry, and they turned to political extremists:
In Germany and Italy, fascist dictators came to power.
In Japan, the army took power.
Countries became more aggressive:
Japan invaded Manchuria in 1932.
Italy invaded Abyssinia in 1935.
What were some of the Short term factors for the start of WWII?
Hitler built up a Greater Germany in central Europe. In 1938 he united Austria and Germany, known as the Anschluss, and demanded the Sudetenland, the German-speaking areas of Czechoslovakia. In doing so, he broke the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
The League of Nations was powerless.
World leaders like the British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, and France’s Édouard Daladier tried a policy of appeasement – negotiating with Hitler and offering concessions.
In September 1938, the Munich Agreement gave Hitler the Sudetenland. The Czechs were not asked what they thought about it. Hitler occupied the Sudentenland in the following month.
Appeasement failed to stop Hitler:
In March 1939, Hitler occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia.
In September 1939, he invaded Poland, and Britain declared war.
How many phases were there to WWI and name them
1 - The Phoney War (September 1939‒April 1940)
2 - Blitzkreig (April 1940‒June 1940)
3 - Britain and the empire stands alone (July 1940‒June 1941)
4 - The tide turns (1941‒1943)
5 - Victory (1943‒1945)
What was the phoney war phase of WWII?
The Phoney War (September 1939‒April 1940)
Hitler conquered Poland
No other major activity on land, although there were actions at sea.
Very little action as all countries involved were biding their time and waiting for the other to make the first move.
The governments of Germany, Britain and France began to issue propaganda. The British government even flew over Germany but, rather than dropping bombs, they dropped propaganda leaflets.
Very little of military significance happened that was noticeable. However, all countries were developing their military bases and new technologies.
People began to get frustrated and some evacuated children were sent home because people felt there was no point staying in the countryside when there were no bombs to worry about.
Describe the Blitzkreig phase of WWII
Blitzkreig (April 1940‒June 1940)
The Nazis conquered Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium and France.
The British Expeditionary Force was trapped at Dunkirk, but managed to withdraw by sea back to Britain.
On 4th June, 1940, Winston Churchill delivered one of the most famous speeches of all time to the House of Commons in Westminster. In it, he warned about the possibility of a German invasion of Britain and said to the inspiration of many: We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight on the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.
What happened when the empire stood alone?
Britain and the empire stands alone (July 1940‒June 1941)
Britain withstood the German Airforce, called the Luftwaffe, in the Battle of Britain (July‒September 1940).
But Britain was alone, and in great danger of losing the war.
The Luftwaffe bombed London for 76 nights running (the Blitz), then other cities such as Coventry. People took cover in air raid shelters; some were made of corrugated iron in gardens; others were located inside train stations and tunnels.
The British were driven out of Greece and most of North Africa.
The British ran out of money, and had to sign the Lend-Lease Agreement with America (America sold arms to Britain, to be paid back after the war).
What happened to turn the tide of WWII?
The tide turns (1941‒1943)
In June 1941, Hitler invaded Russia, known as Operation Barbarossa. This brought Russia back into the war, this time against Germany. The failure of Operation Barbarossa was the first major German defeat.
In December 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. This brought America into the war.
As a result the Allies gradually began to win the war:
In June 1942 the Americans defeated the Japanese at the Battle of Midway.
In November 1942 the British won the Battle of El-Alamein in Egypt.
In January 1943 the Russians defeated the Nazis at the Battle of Stalingrad.
Why was the Japan bombing pearl harbour a major turning point in WWII?
America cut off all trade with Japan
Brought them into the War
Stopped using Japanese Oil
What was the key victory that started to end the war?
D- Day:
After D-Day on 6 June 1944, Germany was gradually driven back in Western Europe by the British, Americans and their allies.
What was D-Day?
huge allied operation to land on the beaches of Normandy in France.
What happened after D-Day?
After D-Day on 6 June 1944, Germany was gradually driven back in Western Europe by the British, Americans and their allies.
The Americans and British continued the strategic bombing campaign on German cities.
The Russians advanced in Eastern Europe and in April they reached Berlin. Hitler committed suicide.
Germany surrendered and war came to an end in Europe shortly afterwards and VE Day was announced on 8 May 1945.
Winston Churchill announced this with caution: We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing; but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead. He was speaking of Japan, where the war would continue for three months more.
How did the war end with Japan?
On 6 August 1945, the Americans dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and again on Nagasaki on 9 August. Within weeks Japan surrendered, and VJ Day was announced 15 August 1945.
Why was the Blitzkrieg effective?
Geography - Flat land for heavy artillery and tanks
Tactics:
Germany had been modernising their army
Used paratroopers too secure key locations (bridges/crossroads)
Different warfare to WWI
What was operation Dynamo?
Evacuation of allied troops from France
What is operation Barbarossa and why did it fail?
It was the invasion of Russia by Germany.
Failed because Russia destroyed anything that Germans could use (scorched earth policy) and they underestimated the Russian winter
Russia had lots of tanks and Germany was low on oil.
