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World War II

World War II. Contrasts between World War I and World War II. World War II more of a global conflict Fought on two theatres: Europe and North Africa Asia/Pacific More extensive engagement of 20 th c technologies Role of air power , radar, cryptology Mechanized warfare--

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World War II

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  1. World War II

  2. Contrasts between World War I and World War II • World War II more of a global conflict • Fought on two theatres: • Europe and North Africa • Asia/Pacific • More extensive engagement of 20th c technologies • Role of air power, radar, cryptology • Mechanized warfare-- • Role of new strategies -- blitzkrieg • Greater involvement of civilian populations • Staggering losses – 50 million dead • More extensive planning for peace

  3. The course of the war 1939-1940 map 1939 • Invasion of Poland • Entry of Britain and France • Phoney war: • German invasion of Denmark and Norway • May, 1940map 1940 • Invasion of Netherlands, Belgium, France • France defeated within 6 weeks • Britain driven from continent

  4. 1940-1942 • Battle of Britain: Sept. 1940-41 • Battle for North Africa • Germany solidifies hold on Southeastern Europe • Germany attacks USSR, June 21, 1941 • Bogs down map 1941 • December, 1941 • Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour brings US into War

  5. Turning points:map 1942 • 1942 – El Alemain – allied victory over Rommel in North Africa • 1942-43 – Defence of Stalingrad • 1943 – Invasion of Italymap 1944 • Mussolini toppled • Germans invade and occupy • 1944 • June 6: D-day – Invasion of Normandy • Liberation of France • Liberation of Belgium • Partial liberation of the Netherlands

  6. War aims • Germany: • Initially Continental domination, especially hinterland to its east • Restructuring of European society – • Aryan domination • Allies: • Unconditional surrender

  7. Arguments over strategy: • Stalin’s demand for a second front • North African campaign as a diversion • Churchill’s argument for an invasion through the Balkans • US argument– invasion through France – when ready • Dieppe, 1943: • An effort to placate Stalin • ‘test landing’ • Italian campaign

  8. Factors determining the outcome • The difficulty of invading Britain • Germany’s attack on the Soviet Union • US entry • Allies’ productive capacity • Ability of allies to maintain supply lines • Code breaking • Enigma – capture of German encryption machine

  9. Civilians and the war • Total home front mobilization • Civilians as victims of bombing • Large numbers displaced • Occupation and choices it presented: • Collaboration • Resistance • Civilians as victims of genocide

  10. Planning the peace - I • Summit negotiations on war aims, postwar disposition of territory • Casablanca 1943 (Roosevelt + Churchill) • Agreement on unconditional surrender • Teheran 1943 • Initial agreement on eastern Europe • Plans for occupation of Germany • Yalta 1945 • Plans for United Nations • Further agreement on territory • Concessions to Russia in order to secure entry into war against Japan

  11. Planning the peace – II • Bretton Woods conference –1943 • Plans for monetary stability • Fixed system of exchange rates • World Bank and International Monetary Fund to stabilize • Agreements on trade (GATT) • Domestic side • UK – plans for welfare state (Beveridge Report) • Discussions in resistance movements, among governments in exile

  12. Other facets • Lidice • liberation of Paris • Market Garden

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