...distract and slow down the German reinforcements by setting up a fake battlefield, while the Allied Forces landed on Normandy on what is known as D-Day. The Nazis and Germany were very powerful during this time, and Operation Bodyguard helped slow them down so that the Allied Nations could invade mainland Europe and throw them off...
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...The Speech by Ronald Reagan on May 5, 1985, to the German war cemetery at Bitburg as requested by West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, for a wreath-laying ceremony. This cemetery and the President's speech are historically significant because they marked the 40th Anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II. After where President Ronald Reagan gave a speech at an Airforce base in Germany to the service member, Germans, and Jewish survivors and remembers. President Ronald Reagan knew what he was walking into, and instead of the denning request, The President did the wreath laying and speech. With all intent to come out ahead, knowing he was up against a wall, where he was undoubtedly supposed to fail. Not only did Ronald Reagan, do the wreath laying and walk the German war cemetery but gave an outstanding speech that would honor him as a great speaker. How would President Ronald Reagan turn out with such criticism against him visiting this German war grave site were 48-SS soldiers wear also buried. Laying a wreath for the so-called enemy and turning a blind eye to what it...
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...Prussia’s War against Germany, 1866 On 1 August 1864, King Christian of Denmark ceded all rights to the twin duchies of Schleswig-Holstein to Prussia and Austria. They passed under a joint Austro-Prussian military occupation, pending a formal decision concerning their future by the German Confederation. All of this was formalized with the 30 October 1864 Treaty of Vienna and by all appearances it appeared a new day had dawned for Austro-Prussian relations. In the afterglow of a successful war, it seemed like the inauguration of an era of joint cooperation between the two German powers. This is what Austria desperately wanted. Bismarck however had other plans. Bismarck’s objective was to annex both duchies to Prussia and to neutralize Austrian influence in the German states once and for all. In Bismarck’s prophetic words of August 1864, “War was inevitable.” Already in 1863 Bismarck had suggested to the Russians that Prussia might soon launch a massive preemptive strike on the Habsburg Empire exactly as, “Frederick the Great had in 1756.” As per Bismarck’s calculations, the Austrians were at an awful geopolitical disadvantage. The duchies were extremely remote from Austria, over 800 miles away. Vienna was only lukewarm about keeping a military presence in Holstein. The situation on the ground was even more tenuous with the presence of a Prussian military communication and railroad corridor running directly through Holstein to resupply the Prussian garrison in...
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...of the Bulge, was a major battle during World War II (WWII) between the enemy troops of Germany and American troops. The Battle of Elsenborn Ridge took place in the Ardennes region, where Adolph Hitler planned for his troops to pull a surprise attack and then advance to Antwerp. The battle began on December 16th, 1944, and only lasted ten days; yet, it was one of the most iconic turning points of World War II claiming another victory for the United States...
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...all time. A name that shows how powerful, dark, and despicable one human can be. Leaving one of the biggest marks in history, Hitler cloned an entire country and killed over six million men, women, and children in his attempt to make a “perfect world.” He deemed the Jewish people as “inferior” and did everything in his power to destroy them. But what could possibly lead a man to do such heinous crimes? What could drive a man to kill millions? What were the motivations behind Adolf Hitler? On September 12th, an all-American force stormed and captured German trenches close to Verdun. The Allies were in position to strike at the Hindenburg Line. On September 26th, armies attacked. Fighting with heavy artillery and new, modern tanks, the Allied army tore open the heart of the Hindenburg Line. British troops advanced, overwhelming the Germans as they retreated, fighting their pursuers every step of the way. After four long years of war, Germany’s proud military commanders finally accepted that the war was lost. With rebellious soldiers and civilians marching through the streets, demanding a new government, even the Kaiser agreed that it was time to negotiate for peace with the Allies without the disgrace of having to surrender. In October, he sent officials to propose a cease-fire, or armistice. But, even with his empire crumbling around him, the Kaiser still thought Germany could end the war without losing too much power or territory. He wouldn’t listen to any suggestions...
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...in WW1 which had a domino effect of food shortages and unrest. The unrest and unsatisfaction theat the Provisional Government brought upon itself was the most influential factor for its downfall. However, let it not be forgotten that the task the Provisional Government had was a vast and difficult one, what with Russia being so large and diverse and the complications of theWar. Indeed, any organisation that attempted to recover Russia after the February revolution was almost doomed from the outset. Although, had the situation been handled more effectively by pertaining to the people’s desires: granting more land reforms, taking Russia out of the First World War, the Provisional Government may have been able to sidestep the challenges and pull Russia into a democracy. It was because of their lack of grasp on the situation that doomed them. Their lack of grasp was enhanced by their political situation and decisions; in particular the fact that they had a system of dual power with the Petrograd Soviet. This contributed to their downfall because although certain individuals acted as ‘bridges’ between the two governments, overall the two organisations could not agree because the Provisional Government was liberal and the Petrograd Soviet was left wing, this meant that they found it difficult to trust each other and make decisions that they were both invested in; indeed this was not helped by ‘Order Number 1’ that was passed in March 1917, this order meant that laws could not be...
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...movement. It refers to the deadlock resulting from high levels of defence. The stalemate developed from four major reasons: i. The Faults of the Schlieffen Plan ii. The Faults of Plan XVII iii. Problems with Communications and Tactics iv. Problems with the High Command • The Faults in • There was an incredible reliance on speed – quick defeat of the France and a slow response by Russia Schlieffen • Unexpectedly strong resistance by Belgian forces – sabotaged Plan railway lines • Strong resistance from French • Troops were diverted from the West to the Eastern front • The “hammer swing” was shortened, so they approached Paris from the East which was expected • The Treaty of London was disregarded as a scrap of paper • Germans weren’t adequately trained for modern warfare strategies • The Faults in • French underestimated number of soldiers available to Plan XVII Germany • French were preoccupied with revenge for Alsace-Lorraine • Insufficient forces were given to the French left wing • Too much attention was on offensive tactics • Officer training was poor • Belgian and British armies were small • Napoleonic Wave Assault (continuous assault) occurred in open countryside=decimation • Problems • Rail was quick, but too few tracks were available to be used with Tactics • Guerilla attacks frequently destroyed the rail infrastructure and • Muddy conditions...
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...THEME The def of Tobruk proved that even in a terrain as the desert a skilful comd could hold his en in defensive operations. Wavell had applied the concept of offensive def to meet the German onslaught. On the other hand Rommel has been criticised for his reckless push, little car-ing for the requisite log sp which becomes even more crucial in the inhospitable desert terrain. Carry out an analysis of the battle of Tobruk bringing out the strs and weaknesses of Wavell's concept of def and causes of Rommel's failure. AIM To analyse the Battle of Tobruk (April - may 1941) highlighting the strs and weaknesses of Wavell's concept of def and reasons for Rommel’s failure. SCHEME OF PRESENTATION a. Background b. Imp of Tobruk c. Opposing forces d. Wavell's concept of def e. Strs and weaknesses of Wavell's concept. f. Cause of Rommel's failure. BATTLE OF TOBRUK (1941) Background 1. Between the summer of 1941 and that of 1942 the field of battle in the Libyan desert shifted to and fro with almost the regularity of a pendulum, or so it seemed. The extremes of the swing were from Mersa Brega in the west and Buq Buq to the east, except for the small stretch of Egyptian territory east of Sollum, the area between these two places covered the whole of Cyrenaica, the eastern province of Libya. 2. Although Tobruk itself, seventy miles west of the Egyptian frontier, is well to the east of the centre of this area, it remained the fulcrum about which the pendulum swung for...
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...Stanford University Nuclear weapons are so central to the history of the Cold War that it can be difficult to disentangle the two. Did nuclear weapons cause the Cold War? Did they contribute to its escalation? Did they help to keep the Cold War “cold?” We should ask also how the Cold War shaped the development of atomic energy. Was the nuclear arms race a product of Cold War tension rather than its cause? The Atomic Bomb and the Origins of the Cold War The nuclear age began before the Cold War. During World War II, three countries decided to build the atomic bomb: Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union. Britain put its own work aside and joined the Manhattan Project as a junior partner in 1943. The Soviet effort was small before August 1945. The British and American projects were driven by the fear of a German atomic bomb, but Germany decided in 1942 not to make a serious effort to build the bomb. In an extraordinary display of scientific and industrial might, the United States made two bombs ready for use by August 1945. Germany was defeated by then, but President Truman decided to use the bomb against Japan. The decision to use the atomic bomb has been a matter of intense controversy. Did Truman decide to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki in order, as he claimed, to end the war with Japan without further loss of American lives? Or did he drop the bombs in order to intimidate the Soviet Union, without really needing them to bring the war to an 2 end? His primary...
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...“the people”, wanted own share of wealth/power R-Russia A-Austria Ciompi Revolts: 1378 Florence, Popolo were revolting [eew], brief period of control over government B-Britain Milan taken over by signor (which is a tyrant) • o Under control of the Condottiero (mercenary) Sforza- Significant because after this, a few wealthy families dominated Venice (e.g. Medici) Humanism: Francesco Petrarch (Sonnets), came up with term “Dark Ages”, began to study classical world of rhetoric and literature Cicero: Important Roman, provided account of collapse of Roman Republic [like Edward Gibbon], invented Ciceronian style: Latin style of writing which humanists followed • [Even though they weren’t in Rome, Humanists did as the Romans do] Despite being accused of following Pagan culture, Petrarch talked a lot about universality Civic Humanists: Politicians/ diplomats, utilized public education for common good Plato: Studying Greek allowed enlightened people to observe platonic ideals [also, big fat...
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...11th ▪ Treaty of Versailles signed June 1919 ▪ It is a DIKTAT – something forced on to Germany. Allies say that they will carry on the war if Germans do not sign. ▪ For many Germans the defeat in WW1, national humiliation, the Treaty of Versailles, the Weimar constitution & democracy are all linked – helps explain why democracy is weak in Germany ▪ Terms of the Treaty – ▪ Germany has to pay REPARATIONS (fixed in 1921 as £6600 million) ▪ Germany loses all its COLONIES (overseas parts of their empire) ▪ German army limited to 100,000 men with no air force & a small navy with only 6 battleships and no submarines ▪ 13% of Germany is now transferred to neighbouring countries as the map is redrawn ▪ Germany loses land to France (Alsace-Lorraine), Belgium, Poland (Posen & West Prussia) & Denmark ▪ 15% of German coal mines are lost in map changes ▪ Many Germans blame the defeat in the war on “the stab in the back” (DOLCHSTOSS) – i.e. the Socialists / Communists / Jews betrayed Germany & the army was never defeated. This myth makes it harder to accept the Treaty ▪ Treaty weakened democracy in Germany and the German economy ▪ Friedrich Ebert appointed Chancellor in October 1918 2) The Weimar Constitution ▪ A National Assembly was elected to write this new constitution ▪ It met in Weimar because Berlin was not safe – so we call this whole period in German history the WEIMAR REPUBLIC, or WEIMAR GERMANY (or just WEIMAR!) ▪ Constitution ready by August...
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...OPERATIONS OF SOUTHERN ARMY GROUP Part II. The Campaign in the West INTRODUCTORY NOTE 4. THE ECLIPSE OF O.K.H. 5. THE OPERATION PLAN CONTROVERSY 6. COMMANDING GENERAL, 38 ARMY CORPS 7. BETWEEN TWO CAMPAIGNS Part III. War in the East 8. PANZER DRIVE 9. THE CRIMEAN CAMPAIGN 10. LENINGRAD - VITEBSK 11. HITLER AS SUPREME COMMANDER 12. THE TRAGEDY OF STALINGRAD 13. THE 1942-3 WINTER CAMPAIGN IN SOUTH RUSSIA 14. OPERATION 'CITADEL' 15. THE DEFENSIVE BATTLES OF 1943-4 APPENDIX I APPENDIX II APPENDIX III APPENDIX IV MILITARY CAREER GLOSSARY OF MILITARY TERMS ILLUSTRATIONS MAPS Key to Symbols used in Maps 1. German and Polish Deployment, and Execution of German Offensive. 2. Southern Army Group's Operations in Polish Campaign. 3. The O.K.H. plan of Operations for German Offensive in the West. 4. Army Group A's Proposals for German Operations in the West. 5. 38 Corps' Advance from the Somme to the Loire. 6. 56 Panzer Corps' Drive into Russia. 7. Situation of Northern Army Group on 26th June 1941 after 56 Panzer Corps' Capture of Dvinsk. 8. Encirclement of 56 Panzer Corps at Zoltsy (15th-18th July 1941). 9. 56 Panzer Corps' Drive into Flank of Thirty-Eighth Soviet Army on 19th August 1941. 10. Battle on the Sea of Azov and Breakthrough at the Isthmus of Perekop (Autumn 1941). 11. Breakthrough at Ishun and Conquest of the Crimea...
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...Changing views of the contribution of popular Spanish resistance to victory in the Peninsular War. The guerrillas have been viewed in a variety of different ways in the historiographical record of the Peninsular War. Until relatively recently, according to Tone, “historians have paid them scant attention” putting the focus on, according to Esdaile “great men, great armies and great battles”. This essay will explore some aspects of the guerrillas that have been the subject of debate in the historiography, focussing first on exploring who the guerrillas were and what their impact was on the war. Tone, in a study of the English language historiography and that of France and Spain identified that there was a difference in the way each treated the guerrillas. He summarised that while the British ignored the guerrillas’ role, the French overplayed the role of the church and the Spanish tended to portray the popular resistance as comprising the whole of the population. It could be argued that this reduction of three historiographic traditions to just three simple ideas is an oversimplification, but there is some justification for at least one of these ideas. To illustrate, and explain the British view, Tone cites Napier’s 1882 history of the Peninsular War as discussing the guerrillas, or partidas (the name given to guerrilla bands by the Spanish themselves) in less than glowing language. Reading the rest of the Napier, it is true that there are very few mentions of the guerrillas...
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...I-Introduction: The term "realism" was first used to formulate the philosophical doctrine that "universals exist outside of the mind" (Freyberg-Inan, 1). Yet, in political theory, "realism" represents a school of thought that analyzes the political process as it is or as it is disclosed by historical forces " ... that the able political practitioner takes into account ... and incorporates ... into his political conceptions and his political acts "(Ibid, 1-2). In the field of international relations, realism became the dominant analytical paradigm mostly after the start of the Second World War, when it displaced idealist doctrines, promising "to provide more accurate information, more powerful, and more relevant answers" to the roots or causes of peace and war (Brecher& Harvey, 54). At the same time, many features of the current realist paradigm can be traced back to the time of Thucydides, Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes. Among contemporary thinkers recognized as major writers and contributors to the realist tradition are Hans Morgenthau, Edward Carr and Kenneth Waltz (Freyberg-Inan, 8). What are then the basic tenets or common features of a realist thinker? Machiavelli would acknowledge that to be a realist one has to look at history as "a sequence of cause and effect whose course can be analysed and understood by intellectual effort, but not directed by imagination" (Carr, 64). Hobbes would persist in the same train of thought and insist that to be a realist thinker...
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...Can Stringer stop Sony malfunctioning? Sony has ditched its chief executive and brought in the head of its American division to run the media and electronics conglomerate. But resolving the conflicting aims of its two main businesses may take more than a fresh face at the top IN HIS efforts to revive the flagging fortunes of Sony, Nobuyuki Idei was widely credited with embracing western business practices. On Monday March 7th the giant corporation’s boss found himself on the wrong end of a western business practice that is rarely encountered in Japan. He was nudged aside, along with his deputy, presumably for his inability to improve the fortunes of a firm that has failed to make the various prongs of its business pull successfully in the same direction. During Mr Idei’s five-year tenure as chairman and chief executive, Sony’s share price fell by around 60%. Mr Idei’s replacement is Sir Howard Stringer, the Welsh-born boss of Sony’s American operations. His appointment gives him a position in Japanese business unmatched by any other foreign national—indeed, some even speculate that it marks a turning-point for the Japanese boardroom. Sir Howard is likely to apply a far more powerful dose of American-style management to the ailing behemoth. But finding a way to align the competing concerns of the different parts of the Sony empire may prove beyond even the sharpest businessman. Sony is essentially a firm of two parts: electronic goods and media content. It was founded...
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