The End of WWII Lecture Ap Euro U9

Background of the War - Conflict Overview

• War divided between two sides: Axis (Germany, Italy, Japan) and Allies (USSR, Britain, USA).
• Begin with background violations of the Treaty of Versailles; signing occurred in 1919, establishing conditions post-World War I.

Reasons for the War - Treaty of Versailles Challenges

• Germany’s withdrawal from the League of Nations in 1933 after repeated violations.
• Establishment of military draft in Germany (1935-1936) in violation of the Treaty.
• Militarization and occupation of the Rhineland in 1936, significantly escalating tensions in Europe.
• Other Aggressive Actions
  • Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 with minimal intervention from the League, marking the beginning of direct confrontations in Europe and Africa.
  • Rome-Berlin Axis formed in October 1936, where Italy, Germany, and later Japan allied, leading to military and political cooperation.
  • The Spanish Civil War starts in 1936 with support for Franco by Hitler and Mussolini, exemplifying international ideological conflicts.
  • Acknowledgment of atrocities such as the bombing of Guernica in 1937, showcasing the brutal tactics of aerial warfare.

Expansion Tactics - Annexations in 1938

• German occupation of Austria (Anschluss) and Sudetenland justified by ethnic claims, executed in March and October 1938, respectively.
• Munich Agreement (September 30, 1938) allowed Hitler to retain control over Sudetenland, furthering appeasement policy and delaying war onset.
• War Initiation
• World War II often referred to starting with the invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939.
• Some historians argue it began in 1937 with Japan's invasion of China (Second Sino-Japanese War).
• Civil Strife in China
• Ongoing civil war between Mao's communists and Chiang Kai-shek's nationalists forces China to pause its internal fighting to resist the Japanese invasion.

Major Powers Involved - The Allies and Axis Powers

• Key allies included USSR, Britain, and the United States, forming a coalition against Axis powers.
• Major Axis powers included Germany, Italy, and Japan, involved in various territorial expansions across Europe and Asia.
• Nuremberg Laws
• Nazi laws enacted in 1935 that stripped Jews of citizenship, leading to social segregation and civil rights violations, and eventually leading to atrocities during the Holocaust.

Early Stages of War - Agreements and Invasions

• Germany and USSR's secret agreement (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact) in August 1939 to split Poland, followed by the Blitzkrieg strategy leading to the quick victory over Denmark (April 1940), Norway (April 1940), the Netherlands (May 1940), and France (June 1940).
• Initial phase termed 'Sitzkrieg' due to the lack of immediate aggression after Poland's invasion.
• Operation Dunkirk (1940)
• British evacuation of trapped troops (Operation Dynamo) from May 26 to June 4, 1940 against German forces.

Escalating Conflict - Battle of Britain and Operation Sea Lion

• Germany's failed attempt to conquer Britain despite heavy bombing (The Blitz) from July to October 1940, marking significant British resistance.
• Churchill's speech in June 1940 promoting resistance against aggression.
• Involvement of the United States
• The US entered war post-Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941 initiated by Japan due to oil embargo.
• US strategy debated; focus on defeating Germany first while Stalin preferred a direct approach toward Japan.
• Pacific Theater Turning Point
• Battle of Midway on June 4-7, 1942 significant in turning the tide against Japan, including decisive naval battles.

Major Battles and Campaigns - North African Campaign

• Battle of El Alamein (October-November 1942): US and British forces defeat Rommel’s Afrika Korps, marking a turning point in North Africa.
• Preparation for invasion of Italy begins post-North Africa, leading to significant engagements with Axis forces.
• D-Day and European Invasion
• Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944, with coordinated invasion across Normandy, France’s coast known as D-Day.
• Liberation of Paris on August 25, 1944, celebrated as a significant victory for Allies.

Conclusion of the War - End of European Conflict

• VE Day (May 8, 1945): Germany's surrender after intense battles in the spring of 1945 leading to the collapse of the Third Reich.
• Japan's Surrender
• Surrender following atomic bombings of Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (August 9, 1945), termed Victory in Japan Day on September 2, 1945.
• Post-War Discussion
• Future discussions will focus on Cold War developments and post-war agreements such as the Yalta Conference outcomes and establishment of the United Nations.