...Kody Salley 4/4/2016 History Essay 2 World War II was a deadly vicious war, even more deadly than the previous world war. From the moment that Germany had invaded Poland in 1939 until the end in 1945, there was absolutely nothing but chaos, bloodshed, complete annihilation and complete utter destruction. The first two years of World War II from fall 1939 to the end of 1941 were probably the most brutal as the war continued to develop in Europe between Germany, France, Great Britain & Italy. In 1939 Germany invaded Poland then the Soviet Union invaded Poland later that same month. Great Britain and France declared war on Germany for having invaded Poland and there was also a Winter War that ensued between the Soviet Union and Finland. However in 1940 Germany invaded Denmark & Norway, Germany also invaded the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. There was also the battle of Britain and in 1941 Germany had declared war on the Soviet Union and the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Japan, and Germany had declared war on the US. During Germany's invasion of Poland in September of 1939 Germany began using a tactic called Blitzkrieg which was very successful for them it became known as the lightning war. In general Blitzkrieg involved various combination of mechanized spearheads of troops, motorized, artillery tanks, massed in groups by close tactical fighters and dive bombers, with radio controlled signals. What made it so successful was the element of surprise...
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...Introduction Germany’s “Blitzkrieg” devastated the Allied forces during the early years of Word War II, namely during the 1939-1941 period of time, starting with the conquest of Poland, and ending with the Battle of Moscow in the last days of December 1941. I will investigate the causes of this massive success, and the possibilities why this success could not be maintained until the end of the war. I have come to the conclusion the it would be the wisest to look at the blitzkrieg from two different perspective. The first, is the structure of this doctrine, on what did this military tactic focus on, how was it used by the Germans, and secondly, I will analyze it from the perspective of the Allies, why they couldn’t adapt to it in the early...
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...were a number of tactics and technologies that were developed in World War I and improved in some way by the time World War II occurred. Often times, these differing technologies arose in response to previous technologies, such as mustard gas arising to counteract ongoing trench warfare. The thesis here is simple: most of the technologies and unique tactics developed in World War I and employed in World War II focused on offense capacity, allowing commanders to employ their forces in a more effective manner. The first primary example of this is the German concept of the Blitzkrieg. The Blitzkrieg, essentially, involves rushing one's forces, judiciously, at the enemy, inciting fear and confusion, especially when used as a surprise attack. The Blitzkrieg, by definition, "...advocates stressed mobility and speed over firepower, although in the form...
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...From the beginning of the Second World War, Adolf Hitler had a set of goals that he looked to accomplish; establish the Aryan Race as the supreme race over all others, abolish the Treaty of Versailles, expand German territory (Lebensraum), and defeat Communism. To manipulate the German people, he utilized propaganda regarding previous grievances such as Germany’s outcome from World War I and the economic situation of Germany to twist the general consensus into the hatred of Jews, “gypsies”, and other races deemed inferior to the Aryans. As for military strategy, Hitler felt that the best way to go about gaining territory was keep it as a “one-front” war, because it would keep the Wehrmacht from spreading out itself too much and overextending it’s supply lines. In addition, he devised the Blitzkrieg or “lightning war”, which meant that his forces were concentrated into a cohesive unit, so that the Panzer tanks would swoop in first, causing panic among enemy soldiers, and then these tanks would continue moving while the German foot soldiers took advantage of the confused enemy and pick them off. While both his propaganda and innovative military strategies worked for a stretch of the war, Hitler’s strategy’s began failing from 1940 until his suicide in 1945 that were ultimately responsible for Germany’s loss in World War II. Hitler’s first began making mistakes when, in 1940, Hitler missed two major opportunities to defeat Britain when it was weakest. In June, when the allied...
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...both sides throughout the duration of World War II. For example, Hitler utilized the "Blitzkrieg", a German term for lightning war, against Europe in an effort to force their surrender. The idea was to relentlessly bomb a single target until they submitted, a tactic which shortened campaigns and preserved the lives of soldiers, but the collateral damage was great; the German "blitz" killed over 40,000 civilians in the space of about 9 months and destroyed over a million homes. The German people, or at least Hitler, their leader, deemed the German soldiers' lives more important than the...
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...The Historical and Religious Significance of the Bombing of Civilians in World War II By Patrick Taylor For as long as there has been war there have been soldiers, and as long as there have been soldiers there have been civilians. A civilian is defined as any person not in armed forces yet time and time again people have launched attacks against these neutral parties for both political and economic reasons. Although these attacks have taken many forms, one of the most severe and vicious ways this has been done is through aerial bombing. This tactic can be even more harmful than other forms of attack due to its very nature. While bombings kill as many civilians as other similar attacks, aerial bombing can destroy the buildings and infrastructure of a place as well, devastating the area for years, even after the bombing has stopped. Many areas have been affected by aerial bombing through history, but possibly none as much as London and the rest of Britain during the Blitzkrieg on Britain during World War II. Beginning on September seventh in 1940 and ending on the tenth of May in 1941, this blitzkrieg killed over 40,000 civilians and wounded more than three times that. Over half of these casualties were in London itself and at least one million of its homes were destroyed. These figures are impressive, however they cannot show exactly how much damage was actually done. When people’s homes were destroyed they had few places to go. Then during the next bombing they might...
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...World War two was the biggest war in history with over 64 million deaths; 6 million deaths being Jews, 7 million soviet civilians, 3 million soviet prisoners of war, 1.8 million non-Jewish polish civilians, 312,000 Serb civilians, 250,000 people killed with disabilities, 220,000 gypsies, 70,000 homosexuals and 45,348,00 deaths are of soldiers and civilians. This exhibit will go into depth about the strategies used in Operation Barbarossa. Operation Barbarossa (original name operation fritz) is when the Germans invaded the Soviet Union to take over This exhibit will show you the German strategies used in the operation how the battle was won and why Germany lost. The topic Operation Barbarossa was the most important battle in world war two because...
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...Strategies and Tactics Utilized in World War II By the middle of the 1900’s, America was again involved with wars ravaging a majority of the world. The scale of the battlefield would cause the United States to face enemies with completely different combat styles, technologies, and motivations to go to war. Throughout the late 1800’s and early 1900’s the United States would be tested repeatedly. The experiences learned in the Spanish-American War and World War I would changes the way the United States would conduct combat operations. The complacency of the United States in its victories would lead to a lack of preparation for the tenacity and intensity that would be unleashed against this country by her would be enemies. Strategies and tactics of combat were rapidly evolving during the post-World War I period as new technologies and motivations to go to war evolved. The German government, led by Adolph Hitler began to re-arm itself, in direct opposition to the Treaty of Versailles, in order to take back the territory it lost to Poland (American History 2008). The immediate response of Europe was one of capitulation and promise that the Germans would not pursue additional acts of aggression. Within six months the German war machine was marching on Czechoslovakia. On September 3, 1939, the countries of France and England formally declared war on Germany. The largest war in history was underway. The United States, looking to avoid another “great war” announced its neutrality. A national...
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...during World War II. There were two theaters of the war. In the European Theater of War had a total of seven battles. The second theater, Pacific Theater of War, had a total of six battles. All thirteen battles played a significant role in World War II. The Battle of Britain took place in the skies over the United Kingdoms in the summer and fall of 1940. It was a significant turning point of World War II. The battle was a struggle between the German Luftwaffe and the British Royal Air force. The Germans Luftwaffe commander was Hermaan Goring. The British Royal Air force's commander was Sir Hugh Dowding's. The Battle of Britain ended when Germany's Luftwaffe failed to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force....
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...I. Introduction: "Everything in war is simple, but the simplest thing is difficult. The difficulties accumulate and end by producing a kind of friction that is inconceivable unless one has experienced war." The interwar period or “interbellum” is the period between the end of World War I and the beginning of World War II. 1) This period begins with the Armistice in Germany, concluding with World War I in 1918 and the following Paris Peace Conference in 1919, and ending in 1939 with the invasion of Poland and the start of World War II. 2) This period was marked by turmoil as Europe struggled to recover from the devastation of the World War I, destabilizing effects of the loss of 10 million Europeans were killed, about 7 million were permanently disabled and 15 million seriously wounded. 3)...
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...World War Two Study Guide Fascism: a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry,commerce,etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism. A political movement that employs the principles and methods of fascism, especially the one established by Mussolini in Italy. Benito Mussolini: Benito Mussolini served as Italy’s 40th Prime Minister from 1922 until 1943. He is considered a central figure in the creation of Fascism and was both an influence on and close ally of Adolf Hitler during World War II. In 1943, Mussolini was replaced as Prime Minister and served as the head of the Italian Social Republic until his execution by Italian partisans in 1945. Adolf Hitler: Adolf Hitler was the leader of Nazi Germany from 1933 until his suicide in 1945. Hitler was responsible for starting World War II and for killing more than 11 million people during the Holocaust. He was know as the Führer of the Third Reich. As dictator of Germany, Hitler wanted to increase and strengthen the German army as well as expand Germany's territory. Although these things broke the terms of the Versailles Treaty, the treaty that officially ended World War I, other countries allowed him to do so. Since the terms of the Versailles Treaty had been harsh, other countries found it easier to be lenient than risk another bloody European war. When the Nazis attacked Poland World War II began. Nazism: "Nazi"...
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...6. World War II had a great impact on society and Germany played a major role in it. Germany attacked Poland through blitzkrieg, making it easy since Poland couldn’t fight back. Following Germany’s attack, Russia invaded Poland, which split the country in half. Hitler, the leader of Germany and Stalin, the leader of Russia, had now controlled not only Poland, but the Baltic states as well. Hitler didn’t stop there. Germany invaded Denmark and Norway next. Throughout World War II, Hitler made sure that the “northern front was secure, and he now had both air and naval bases closer to Britain” (908). After France had fallen, Britain was on it’s own. Churchill, the British prime minister and Roosevelt, the president of the United States, had become...
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...waging war and introducing his very own “blitzkrieg” strategy. After conquering Poland, Hitler and his army moved towards France for a second acquisition....
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...How universal are the principles of war? Many military theorists throughout history had many different concepts, strategic thoughts, and theories within a multitude of principles of war. Throughout history many strategies and tactics were utilized that made a huge impact on defending and attacking armies. Within these concepts of these theorists, nine principles of war gradually became universally used by many countries militaries that are used in the field of battle during the Cotemporary Era and through modern day campaigns. These principle guidelines are universal in military strategies and could have been used in any era where conflicts took place however, one principle that would of brought ultimate success in the example campaigns specified throughout these times of war is to have provided a better directive on the basic principles of logistics that seem to have hindered and faltered the most effective warring armies during their eras of history. A few examples that relate throughout wars fought in times such as the Napoleonic Wars, World War II and the United States current ongoing War on Terror have many relative tactics and strategies used during battles fought in these conflicts. Napoleons armies during the beginning of their conquest would defeat an enemy city utilizing all aspects of their military might (Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry) while maintaining immediate logistical support ensuring reinforcements and munitions were readily available. Napoleon’s enormous...
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...A War Bond was an investment of one’s own country (like the US) and in an individual’s financial future, especially in times of war. The US spent roughly more than $300 billion from both fighting the Axis Powers and supporting their Allies. To assist in funding these actions, the United States Treasury proposed to the Americans a series of War Bonds they could purchase during World War II. Also known as the Neutrality Act of 1939, it is a policy proposed by the United States (under Roosevelt’s presidency) to maintain neutrality while assisting the Allies. The importance of the Neutrality Acts was that it presented a isolationist facade in front of the other countries in response to Germany, but still maintained an ability to interact with...
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