MODERN WORLD ISTORY

INIDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

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SUBMITTED BY:

BADAR TUFAIL

01-111082-025

B.B.A-VIII (A)

SUBMITTED TO:

MA’AM RIZWANA MANAN

DATE OF SUBMISSION:

02-03-2012

Q1 – Explain why Germany was successful in the Second World War up to the end of 1941, but suffered ultimate defeat in 1945.

Ans - The main reason for Germany’s success up till 1941 was:

• It had enormous resources along with a huge army on the front lines as well as in reserve.

• It had alliance (understanding) with Russia and Japan whom were top world powers at the time. In addition to that Italy was also its ally which provided it with important strategic locations such as air bases and ports for quick access to the Atlantic.

• Germany’s initial success in the Second World War was because it took down the weaker members of the allied forces at a time, most of them ill-equipped and psychologically unprepared. Such as Poland, Holland, Belgium etc

But it ultimately faced defeat in 1945 due to the following reasons:

• Germany was over confident about its potential victory which led to making its biggest mistake: attacking USSR, turning its strongest ally into its enemy.

• Japan attacking America at pearl Harbor led U.S.A (which was a neutral at the time) to join the ally block making it only stronger.

• Germany (and its allies were fighting) on multiple fronts (Midway island, El Alamein, Stalingrad). Which led to a huge drain on its resources, leading to shortage in raw materials.

• The German and the Japanese treated the citizens of the conquered territory’s very harshly (making them slaves and killing a large number of them) which turned the people against the rule.

• The allies had realized the importance of air support and aircraft carriers, and had strengthened them over years. This greatly contributed to their success in the Pacific and Atlantic which starved their enemies of supplies.

• Germany made many strategic mistakes such as continuing attack on Russia in winter, concentrating on making rockets when it should’ve had worked on developing jet aircraft and Japanese made produced more battleships when it should’ve had concentrated on making aircraft carriers.

Q2 – Explain why you agree or disagree with the view that the Allied victory in the Second World War was secured mainly because of the contribution of the USSR.

Ans - I ‘strongly agree’ that the Allied victory in the Second World War was secured mainly due to USSR ‘s contribution. Which was due to the following reasons:

• USSR had a huge military force along with enormous resources and raw materials, owing to that any side who had Russia’s support would have the upper hand.

• Having USSR on their side was a huge strategic advantage for the Allied forces. This meant that the Allied forces could go on the offensive with Germany from multiple fronts.