World Conflicts Review Guide

• Militarism: building up a strong military to prepare for war

• Germany increased defense expenditures by 73%
• The influence of military leaders grew; military plans could not be changed for fear of chaos
• Political leaders often made decisions for military instead of political reasons
• Complex plans were made for mobilizing soldiers & getting large quantities of supplies quickly
• Militarism contributed to feelings of fear and competition - it seems as though everyone else is getting ahead, being prepared and ready for war

• Alliances: agreements made between nations to protect one another

• Increased the dangers of militarism - more people & weapons = more casualties
• Triple Entente (Allies): Great Britain, France, & Russia
• Triple Alliance (Central Powers): Germany, Austria-Hungary, & Italy
• The alliances were willing to use war to preserve their power
• “Picking sides” lead to tension in Europe by pressuring others to do so, or form their own alliances

• Nationalism: pride in one’s country or group identity

• Countries started unifying under a common ethnicity/language
• Each nation was guided by their own interests
• Not all ethnic groups had become nations in Europe; they wanted their own
• The Pan-Germanism & Pan-Slavism movements united people based on ethnicity & language
• Preferring one group over another could lead to tension by making others angry & hurting others, as it can be seen as racist, or unpatriotic

• Imperialism: one country takes over another economically, politically, and/or militarily

• The competition for foreign lands, especially in Africa, led to conflict, greater rivalries, and tension among European countries
• There were winners and losers: the losers were obviously unhappy that they had either lost their own land or were unable to gain as much new land

• Assassination: murder of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the throne

• Known as “the spark” - ignited the issues when thrown in, and lead to the point of no return
• The heir to the Austria-Hungary throne was killed, a direct threat to the line
• Bosnia, an Austrian province with a mainly Serbian (Slavic) ethnicity, wanted independence and their own state from Germanic rule (nationalism)
• The archduke was killed by a “Black Hand” member who believed Bosnia should belong to Serbia
• The Serbian government told Serbs living in Bosnia to rebel against Austria-Hungary’s oppressive rule; as a result, the latter blamed Serbia for their archduke’s death & declared war on Serbia

The conditions in the trenches during WWI were extremely unpleasant. Constant shelling happened in the trenches, causing emotional and physical pain. The flooding and puddles in the trenches often led to trench foot, as moisture was trapped when shoes became soaked. The affected feet would itch, tingle, smell, and decay, possibly leading to infection. Low morale and the emotional    toil on soldiers was very difficult, especially in the trenches. It was probably difficult to see things very well (when hiding), and they often waited a long time for incoming attacks. While being bombarded and attacked, soldiers often made articulate plans for themselves out of fear, concerning what they were going to do if they were discovered/attacked. The exhaustion, fear, stress, homesickness, and other emotions the soldiers experienced lowered morale and the will to fight. All of this piled fear and anticipation could lead to long-term psychological damage, such as PTSD. Trench soldiers dealt with boredom and cramped living quarters. To pass time, soldiers might have chatted amongst themselves or read. They were stuck waiting for fighting to happen in the trenches. Cramped living quarters made things very uncomfortable, and led to the spread of disease. Comrades also had to deal with gas attacks. They did have strategies for this, though: gas masks. However, they made the wearers itchy, feel suffocated, feel claustrophobic, etc. Rats were also a problem in the trenches. The poor-conditioned trenches attracted them, and they stole what little bread and food the soldiers had. Or, they would nibble on the food and leave. Spoiled food or food partially eaten by rats would generally be considered inedible, but under the conditions of war, soldiers likely ate them anyway. Food poisoning would have led to vomiting and diarrhea, making the trenches even more unsanitary, foul, and prone to disease. Fed-up soldiers killed the rats they caught, and eventually, the animals were scared to come back.

Motive

• Peasants didn’t have enough land and money to feed themselves, clothe themselves, heat their homes, pay taxes, etc.; they were unhappy with their lives
• “Bloody Sunday” killed 100 protesting workers; the Czar also responded by creating the Duma
• Russian soldiers were not prepared very well for war; they lacked weapons, good commanders, and a reason to fight and kill
• Czar Nicholas’s leadership was poor; Russians blamed his ignorant character for their misfortunes
• Russia’s industrialization was behind - they were far behind compared to other European countries, even though their population and land size was greater; Russians were angered by this
• Food prices drastically increased in little time, making some food unaffordable, especially for peasants, and you probably shouldn’t mess with angry, hungry people

Methods

• When Russian soldiers couldn’t get food, they used force and looted shops
• The Russian military mutinied overnight - officers were killed, they helped civilians set up barricades, and encouraged others to join the revolution; they had turned against the government
• People violently looted bakeries, killed workmen, and more as a result of anger
• The squad of soldiers guarding the Czar & his family turned against them - the royal family was shot overnight, advancing the revolution through assassination

Changes

• The Congress of Soviets was formed, the monarchy was abolished, the Provisional Government was disposed of & members were arrested, and local authority was transferred to the Soviet Workers’, Soldiers’, and Peasants’ Deputies, a political party
• Soviet propaganda posters appear - they show that workers have overcome the wealthy & capitalist oppression
• The dictatorship of the working class would transition Russia into Communism, creating a democracy for the majority and oppressing the minority (wealthy)
• The Revolution allowed for more equality - women could equal men
• Religion was banned - Red Army soldiers confiscated valuable items from the Semenov Monastery & atheism was forced upon Russians (the Orthodox Church was a sign of wealth & power of the OLD regime) 

WWI impacted soldiers and people at home in different ways, but very much nonetheless. The soldiers dealt with stress, fear, exhaustion, horrible conditions, etc. One propaganda poster attempts to persuade people to join the war (military) and buy bonds. Another poster tries to convince people that their enemy is a brutal savage. Another propo encourages citizens to ration food and avoid using other foods, such as wheat, meat, fats, and sugar. All of these posters are trying to convince citizens to play a bigger helping part in the war, and get them all riled up. They may also be designed so people may feel guilty if they don’t participate in the popular cause. Propaganda posters illustrate total war, as they show governments who would go to great lengths in order to obtain a victory, even if it meant lying to their own people. Governments were trying to get civilians involved in warfare; while supporting the cause is not always bad, propaganda is used to help bend the rules. People at home suffered from government propaganda, misinformation, and controlling of the public opinion. Even though it might seem like people safely at home may not be deeply affected, they are. The negative impacts might not be as extreme and constant than actually serving in war, but they are present. War is always personal. People living at home were also affected by the government’s control over the economy; taxes were raised, and it wanted huge loans from its citizens. Strikes were also forbidden. The role of women also got bigger in society. They entered war industries and became nurses. There were dangerous and demanding jobs, but women did them anyway. Equality was desired more than ever now, and soon, women in the U.S. & GB will gain suffrage.

Treaty of Versailles

League of Nations 

The terms of the treaty are known as B.R.A.T.

• Blame: Germany had to accept it
• Reparations: Germany was forced to pay it; in an exaggerated amount, of course ($30 billion -> $4 trillion today)
• Armed Forces: Germany was forced to ban these
• Territory: Some of Germany’s territory was taken and distributed to the Allies (especially France & Great Britain)

• Led to the creation of many new countries in Europe
• The Ottoman Empire faced the same consequence: 5 areas were taken by France & GB, and were made into mandates, or temporary colonies; it also dissolved and what remained became Turkey

• The Treaty of Versailles did not favor Germany, and Germany had no say in the creation & writing of it - this likely contributes to Germany’s anger and the cause of WWII, a long-term global consequence

• Organization set up to negotiate & prevent aggression, instead of going to war

• 42 nations joined, with delegates sent

• U.S. President Wilson proposed this idea, but the U.S. never joined

• President lacked power to join - it was in the hands of Congress
• Congress did not want to be dragged into another war, since alliances would be made in the league

• The League failed - W.A.S. D.U.M.B.
• Weak: there was no military
• America: it never joined
• Structure: decisions had to be unanimous (everyone had to agree)
• Depression: referencing the Great Depression - countries worried over their own economies more than world peace
• Unsuccessful: the more it failed, the less people trusted it & its ability to succeed
• Members: Italy & Japan betrayed the League
• Bullies: Powerful countries, like Germany, Italy, and Japan, eventually started attacking weaker countries - the League was too weak to stop them
• The League of Nations is replaced by the United Nations in the future
• The failed treaty and league will not be able to stop WWII from happening (and may have caused it), a long-term global consequence

Fascism 

The rise of fascism occurred in the years following WWI. Fascism is a political system where the state is put above an individual by encouraging the need for a dictator and a strong central government. It is also an authoritarian/totalitarian form of government. Benito Mussolini created a fascist government and movement for Italy. Adolf Hitler was also inspired by fascism, and implemented it for Germany. Fascism grew increasingly popular in Italy because the middle class feared socialism, communism, and disorder. Many Italians were “converted” to fascism because of its nationalistic appeals, as they were still angry about their failure to gain more land from the peace treaty of WWI. Mussolini used various methods to establish and keep control over his people, including the secret police, control of the media, propaganda, Fascist youth groups, However, Mussolini’s totalitarian control never reached the staggering degree of control of Hitler and Stalin. Fascism in Italy didn’t entirely destroy their old power structure. Parliamentary systems didn’t work for many eastern European states, as they had little tradition of political democracy, and were mostly rural and agrarian. Large landowners still dominated most of the land, and they, along with the churches and some members of the middle class, feared land reform. Communist upheaval and ethnic conflict were also feared. As a result, people looked to authoritarian governments to maintain the old system and rule for them. They wanted national unity and a good, strong leadership.

Nationalism 

Nationalism rose in the years following WWI. Nationalism is the belief and pride in one’s group or nation. It occurred all over the world, including places like the Middle East and Europe. For example, in Italy, people were upset about their failure to receive new land from the peace treaty of WWI, and became very nationalistic and unified, turning to Fascism. Authoritarian and totalitarian governments relied on nationalism and were likely a result of it because people would feel pride in their country and entrust the national government in protecting them and leading them to greatness. Nationalism grew in the Middle East as the Ottoman Empire began to fall after WWI. Great Britain was angry that the Ottoman Empire had sided with Germany in the war, and as a result, it supported Arab nationalistic activities in the Arabian peninsula to undermine Ottoman rule. Most of the Ottoman Empire had been divided between Great Britain and France. WWI gave Arabs an opportunity to escape Ottoman rule, and they were well-unified and very nationalistic. However, efforts by political leaders to create a single Arab nation had not succeeded. Since the British had supported the Arabs during the war, they expected it to continue. Instead, the British and French created mandates in the area that they were granted to govern by the League of Nations. Even when the Arabs were divided by borders, Arab nationalism still remained. The Palestine mandate lead to tensions between the nationalistic Jews and Arabs who viewed the land as their own. Violence flared as Jews fled the Holocaust and Nazi regime to Palestine. The British had supported the national home of the Jews in the Palestine mandate, hoping to win their support in WWI. The Balfour Declaration drew even more Jews to the area. The Arabs eventually revolted, wanting independence from Britain and no more Jewish immigration. Trying to end the revolt, the British declared right before the Holocaust that only 75,000 Jews would be allowed to immigrate to Palestine over the next five years, and after that, no more could do so. However, this closed off escape routes for Jews trying to escape Nazi Europe, leading to even more tension and bloodshed.

Communism 

Communism rose in the years following WWI. Communism is a system where all properties in society are publicly owned, and each person works and is paid based on their own needs and abilities. During Russia’s civil war, Lenin used the policy of war communism, where the government controlled most industries and seized grain from peasants to supply the army. After the war, peasants began to sabotage the Communist program by hoarding food. Drought and famine lead to agricultural and industrial collapse in the exhausted Russia. One peasant banner said, “   Down with Lenin and horseflesh. Bring back the czar and pork.” Lenin’s New Economic Policy (NEP) replaced war communism and pulled Russia back from the abyss of economic disaster. The NEP was a modified version of the old capitalist system, and allowed for peasants to sell their produce openly and retail stores to be privately owned and operated. However, heavy industries, banking, and mining remained in the hands of the government. Lenin and the Communists formed the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1922. The NEP was only intended to be a temporary step back from the goals of communism. When Lenin died, there was a struggle in the Politburo for power. One group wanted to end the NEP and launch rapid industrialization, while the other wanted to continue the NEP and continue building socialism in Russia. Eventually, Joseph Stalin came to power and established a totalitarian state. He had absolute power and curtailed the freedom of the press. He ended the NEP and launched the Five Year Plan, which led to many social and economic consequences. The number of workers increased, but the investment in housing declined. Workers lived in miserable conditions and received continuously decreasing wages. Rapid collectivization eliminated private farms and made peasants work on the now government-owned land. Famine resulted from food hoarding and the slaughtering of livestock. Labor camps and executions were created to strengthen Stalin’s control and get rid of his enemies. It did have some benefits, though. The production of military and capital goods rapidly increased, and Russia became an industrial economy.

Causes

Consequences

• Reparation Payments & War Debts:

• The Treaty of Versailles, which ended WWI, forced Germany to pay high war reparations to the Allies, but they failed to make some payments due to economic problems caused by the debt
• The U.S. stepped in and loaned Germany money; the Dawes plan allowed for it to pay for the next five years
• The Allied nations themselves owed war debts to the U.S. - that’s why they wanted money from Germany
• The Dawes Plan led to an absurd situation: Americans loaned money to Germany, who used it to pay France & GB, who used it to pay off their debt to the U.S. (the U.S. also did not show leniency for the Allies’ debt)
• When the Great Depression hit, American loans to Germany dried up, which led to the Allies defaulting on war debts to the U.S. as well - many powerful European nations were on the verge of economic disaster

• Overproduction in Agriculture:

• Between 1925 & 1929, export crops fell dramatically in price as a result of overproduction - supply outweighed demand
• Decreasing populations and very efficient farm machinery led to far too much agricultural production
• However, people ignored the problem: instead of slowing down production, farmers expanded their operations
• Meanwhile, governments placed tariffs on imported food to protect their own farmers
• Decreasing exports devastated agriculture around the globe, and farmers were already in economic trouble before the Great Depression began, as they were in debt from owning land and machinery
• Many countries’ economies heavily depended on the agricultural industry, and as it failed, their economies got worse

• Stock Market Crash:

• The 1920s brought a long boom to the stock market, and stocks were worth a lot, causing investors to “buy on the margin,” also known as borrowing heavily to invest more money into the market
• Americans believed they could become rich by playing the stock market, which was true, but they could also lose a lot of money
• When the stock market boom was over, prices plummeted as people stopped buying stocks, which dropped in value - millionaires became bankrupt overnight
• The banking system collapsed as they tried to collect on loans made to stock market investors with worthless holdings; they also invested in the stock market themselves
• People rushed to withdraw their money from the banks, but they simply couldn’t provide the money, and the banks began falling - also, the fragile world economy felt the impact of the stock market crash, as American loans to the world dried up

• Inequitable Income Distribution:

• There was a huge gap between the rich and the poor; 40% of the country shared just 12% of the national income at the end of the 1920s
• There was a lot of productivity and goods being churned out, but the wages couldn’t keep up, and many Americans were too poor to buy them
• The poor would buy on margin/credit, which increased their debt, while the rich were only able to buy so much of the overproduced goods
• Right before the stock market crash, business owners realized that supply exceeded demand, and made cuts in industries - unemployment rose, making less people able to buy goods, which led to even more layoffs, etc.
• In an effort to save American industries, the U.S. government passed a tariff act that crushed international trade and spread the Great Depression around the world - uneven distribution of wealth had led to a global crisis

• Protectionism:

• High tariffs on imports were placed in an attempt by countries to protect and save their domestic industries - free trade was pushed away
• Imports and exports between countries declined, causing world trade to decline as well
• Meanwhile, unemployment kept increasing in the United States, and Europe struggled with paying off war debts and reparations
• Protectionism hurt less developed countries more, as their economies depended heavily on the export of raw materials and cash crops for revenue - Malaysia experienced an 80% drop in export revenues
• Overall, efforts to protect domestic industries severely hurt the world economy and contributed to the deepening Great Depression

• Gross domestic product (GDP), or the total economic output of a country, fell around the world, and it took years for countries to recover
• The per capita (per person average) income fell around the world, and once again, it took years for countries to recover
• The unemployment rates of large, developed nations rose quickly during the Great Depression; the U.S. had the highest peak with the percent of the labor force unemployed
• Living standards went down, as incomes failed and unemployment rates went up - the U.S. had an especially steep decrease
• Unlike all the others, the USSR actually experienced a steady increase in GDP per capita during the Great Depression - it was a communist country, and communism helped the Soviet Union correct its economic problems and distress faster
• India’s economy will decline as Great Britain’s does, as they are tied together - although, India’s economy will fare better than the independent countries (from GB)
• Germany was arguably the hardest hit by the Great Depression, as they still had so many reparations to pay; however, its economy will improve significantly at the end of the 1930s because of its new socialist policies and their decision to stop paying reparations to the Allies
• The nations with higher unemployment rates tended to do worse with the per capita income, since not as many people were working and getting paid - with many people unemployed, it was hard for them to get money, food, and shelter, especially when the banks couldn’t support them; if people had bought tons of stocks, they would be in even economic distress
• The seemingly bigger, stronger countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, etc. fared worse with their per capita income and unemployment rates

Aggression 

Appeasement

• Germany was angry over the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles - also, the Great Depression hits Germany the hardest
• Germans wanted somebody to trust (Hitler), and somebody to blame (Jews) - Hitler and the Nazis come to power with an aggressive foreign policy
• There were extreme nationalisms and preference for Aryans, and anti-semitism grew
• Jews were no longer considered German citizens, intermarriage was banned, registration with the government was required, and they were forced to wear the Star of David
• Eventually, Jews were forced to live in ghettos and concentration camps (later extermination camps)
• Trouble began when Japan invaded Manchuria & China, Italy invaded Ethiopia, and Hitler defied the Treaty of Versailles by militarizing
• Germany also felt the need to control Germanic lands, such as Austria, Rhineland & the Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia, etc.
• Hitler had formed a non-aggression pact with Stalin, since he didn’t want a two-front war again; he’ll break it anyway
• When Germany invades Poland on September 1, 1939, France and Great Britain have had enough, and end appeasement to declare war

• France & Great Britain don’t respond to Germany’s aggression at first, as they were rebuilding their own countries, maintaining peace, rearming, uniting, etc.
• France & Great Britain acknowledged the Treaty of Versailles was unfair, thought appeasement was better than communism, and wanted to keep peace
• The United States had an isolation policy
• The Munich Pact was signed by Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler; it gave Germany the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia, but forced Hitler to agree not to seek any additional territory - which he obviously breaks
• Winston Churchill opposed appeasement and believed Hitler was easily getting what he wanted handed over to him; Churchill wanted Germany to be dealt with more firmly - he also worried about the growth of the Nazi regime
• Vernon Bartlett also opposed appeasement because he believed that if Chamberlain had stood up to Hitler, the latter would have backed down or started the war with less support from his people than he would have a year later
• Lord Halifax believed PM Chamberlain was right in choosing appeasement, as it had done everything it could to prevent war, and had spared Europe until there was no choice left
• While appeasement did allow for many casualties and failed to stop Hitler early on, it did allow Europe to regroup, re-arm, unite, and find peace for a little while before the delayed war began
• Those who supported appeasement believed that if Hitler got some things that he wanted, he would be satisfied and become less demanding

The Battle of Britain was a major turning point of WWII in Europe. Germany had launched massive air strikes and bombs, known as blitzkriegs, on various areas and cities of Great Britain. London got the worst of it, having been bombed 57 consecutive nights at one point. The first targets were military-related, but then they switched to civilians. The British government adopted the propaganda slogan of “Keep Calm & Carry On,” since airstrikes were common, and they needed their people to stay resilient. The Battle of Britain is so significant because the Royal Air Force (and the rest of the British people) were able to hold off an invasion from Germany; their morale was unaffected, and they did not surrender. As a result, Hitler gave up on invading Great Britain, and decided to invade Russia, which would lead to their loss in WWII. The “Europe First” Campaign was also a major turning point. Once the Allies had secured North Africa, they shifted their attention to Europe and invaded Italy. They decided to use this strategy of securing/invading Europe first because they believed that they could defeat Nazi Germany there and prevent future invasions. The successful invasion of Italy allowed a second front to open up for the Allies, relieving Stalin. Mussolini was overthrown, and eventually killed by a mob. The “Europe First” strategy was a turning point because it worked, and even allowed a second front in Western Europe to open up. D-Day was a major turning point. The Allies were able to successfully invade France, set up 2 million men and 500,000 vehicles on the beaches of Normandy, and liberate France within a month. Since the operation was successful in freeing France from the Axis’ grip, it was a turning point in the war. As the Allies moved through Nazi-occupied Europe, they were able to liberate concentration and death camps, and able to see the horrible crimes against humanity committed. The loss of France weakened Germany’s strength and control. V-E Day is yet another turning point in WWII. V-E Day (Victory in Europe) is the day Germany was defeated (May 8, 1945). It is obviously significant because Germany had surrendered, ending the war in Europe. Right before V-E Day (victory was assured), the Yalta Conference was attended by the Big Three (Stalin, Churchill, & Roosevelt); they agreed to free elections in Eastern Europe, and the fact that the Soviet Union would regroup and re-enter the war against Japan in three months. At the Potsdam Conference after Germany’s surrender, the country was divided into four zones.

Anti-semitism started rising in the 1930s, where non-German ethnic groups were blamed (the Jews). Germans just wanted someone to trust (Hitler), and someone to blame for their heavy reparations and the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler had publicly blamed Jews for Germany’s loss in WWI, as well as the failing economy; consequently, the Germans accepted his ideas. Boycott laws isolated Jews from German society socially and economically by spreading hatred, firing Jews from their jobs, banning Jews from universities, and the use of the Star of David to mark businesses (that would be attacked & terrorized). Hundreds of other laws would restrict the freedom of Jews by banning them from entering movie theaters, restaurants, public swimming pools, and other recreation sites. The Nuremberg Laws would separate and introduce the subjects of state (Jews) and the citizens of the Third Reich, making Jews inferior to people of German blood. Jews were no longer considered German citizens, intermarriage was banned, registration with the government was required, and they were forced to wear the Star of David. Anti-semitic propaganda, acts, and laws attempted to encourage Jewish emigration and expropriation. Eventually, Jews were moved into ghettos, which were small areas within a city sealed off with high walls/barbed wire. The Nazis’ excuse was that they were trying to contain a typhus epidemic, but in reality, ghettos were just a way to concentrate Jews until they could be eliminated, or killed. Life in the ghettos was difficult, as it was flooded with anxiety and chaos. People didn’t have a lot of resources, and many died of overcrowding, starvation, disease, hard labor, unsanitary conditions, etc. Jews who survived the ghettos were then transported to concentration camps to be murdered. The ghettos were then destroyed. Concentration camps were part of the Final Solution, where systematic genocide of Jews and other outcasts/unfavorables would be committed by deporting them to death camps. Multiple extermination camps were built around Europe, perhaps the most famous was Auschwitz. Along with mass extermination camps, the Nazis also established prisoner-of-war camps, forced labor camps, etc. Conditions in the camps were horrible; families were split up, people had no legal rights or defense, and their lives were in the hands of camp staff and command. Hunger, exhaustion, disease, filthy living conditions, breakup of families, and loss of home intentionally demoralized and killed prisoners. The Einsatzgruppen were also part of the Final Solution; special units of security police followed German armies into Russia, and killed Jews, Soviet officials, gypsies, handicapped people, and more by mass shootings. Nearly 1.5 million Jews died at the hands of this group. An estimated six million Jews and five million others (unfavorables) were exterminated during the Holocaust. Anti-semitism led to the Holocaust by allowing itself to grow and spread, and by letting people think that the wipeout of Jews would be justified.

The Nanjing Massacre was a major turning point/unique characteristic of WWII in the Pacific. The Japanese had built an empire in Asia, and committed mass murder and rape in the Chinese city of Nanjing. It was intentionally left in ruins and destruction, as a result of the human casualties, burnings, and lootings. It would take Nanjing and its citizens decades to recover from the brutal attacks. This event is so significant because it shows yet another crime against humanity carried out, this time by the Japanese. Pearl Harbor was a major turning point. The U.S. had banned the sale of war materials, such as iron, steel, and oil, to Japan, who in turn believed that the U.S. was wrongly interfering. Peace talks were held between the two countries, but Japan decided to order a surprise attack on the U.S. anyway. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, a naval base in Hawaii. 2,400 people died. Many battleships were destroyed, although some were able to be repaired. In response, the U.S. declares war on Japan, entering WWII. Germany and Italy then declare war on the U.S., staying true to their alliance. Pearl Harbor was a turning point in WWII because it would force the United States into joining the fight. The Bataan Death March was a major turning point/unique characteristic. In the Philippines, the Japanese, who had annexed most of the Pacific, marched American & Filipino POWs to camps far away, showing the brutality of the Japanese towards the prisoners. The march took days to complete, and prisoners were not allowed to stop in any way; if they did, they would likely be killed on the spot. This is significant because it shows the horrible acts carried out during the war. Island Hopping was a turning point/special characteristic of WWII in the Pacific. The U.S. launched the campaign to recapture the Pacific Islands by fighting for the key islands that could be won. The battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa were fought, and the Allies won, advancing even closer to mainland Japan; great casualties were suffered on both sides. Controlling Iwo Jima would lessen Japan’s air and naval strength, while controlling Okinawa would provide a base near the mainland. The acquisition of these two islands also weakened Japan’s ability to fight back during an invasion. Island Hopping was significant because it worked for the Allies, and let them get closer to invading Japan. The use of atomic bombs was a unique characteristic of WWII in the Pacific. The United States would use the atomic bomb (developed by the Manhattan Project) to help end WWII swiftly; Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed. President Truman justified the use of the weapons by saying that they would save both American and Japanese lives (he did give Japan a warning to surrender). No one knew how effective or strong the atomic bombs would be. Of the 300,000 inhabitants of Hiroshima, 190,000 died of either the bombings themselves or the effects of radiation. The U.S. wanted to prevent Soviet involvement, and drop the second bomb on Nagasaki; 45,000+ Japanese died. Both cities were destroyed. The use of atomic bombs and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were significant because they would introduce the atomic bomb to the world, cause many deaths, injuries, and destruction, and lead to the surrender of Japan. V-J Day was a major turning point in WWII. Emperor Hirohito accepted the Allies’ demands for an unconditional surrender on August 14, 1945, due to the devastation caused by the bombings. Victory in Japan meant that WWII was over, as the battle in Europe had already ended. That’s what makes it a turning point/significant; V-J Day ended the war, although the formal surrender was on September 2, 1945 (the official end date of WWII).