History > Key Stage 4 > Course Notes and Revision Lists

World War II

Due to technology this war was a world war – from desert to jungle to mountains on land air and sea. Fighting in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Warfare would change due to rapid movement of aircraft and transport in general. Civilian experience would also be affected.

Chronology of Second World War

1939 – September; war breaks out. Poland invaded. New fighting tactic called ‘blitzkrieg’ – lightning war with use Stuka dive bombers attacking key enemy roads, railways and air bases followed by German paratroops being dropped behind enemy lines.When area secure lighter tanks, armoured cars and infantry to deal with any resistance are sent in. Phoney war – no real fighting for many months as countries decide tactics and make final preparations.

1940 – April/May – Germany invades Norway,Holland and France. Evacuation of British troops at Dunkirk.200,000 British and 140000 French troops are rescued from beaches.

June – France defeated; Italy declare war on Britain/France.

August – Hitler tries to invade Britain by first destroying airfields; leads to Battle of Britain (‘never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few’ – Winston Churchill the new Prime Minister). British planes – Spitfires/Hurricanes prove more maneuverable than German Messerschmitts.

RADAR – invented to allow early warning of approaching German aircraft.

U – boats – German submarines attack merchant ships bringing supplies to Britain. Leads to rationing As in WW1 convoy system set up but also; a system of radar called ASDIC is set upto give warning of attacks; new and more powerful depth charges are used; long range aircraft offer support also. By 1943 U – boats are less effective and more ships are getting through.

1941 – June – Germany attacks Russia.(Operation Barbarossa). Hitler plans three attacks on Leningrad, Moscow and Leningrad. The plan was tohave every thing sorted by winter. However things go wrong; supplies fail to keep pace with advancing army, poor conditions slow advance and Russians adopt a scorched earth policy – destroying everything so Germans leave nothing of use.

Winter sets in – the 6th German army – are stranded. In Russia factories in the East up production and by Spring the Russians push back the Nazis.

1941 – December – Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.They intend to attack and take over much of the Pacific and know the USA will resist so they try and destroy the USA Pacific fleet. Only partially successful. USA enter the war.

Pacific War – Japan conquer much of Asia quickly because of their leadership, large army and navy.

Battle Of Midway – key battle – June 1942 – broke Japanese hold on Pacific area. Use of kamikaze pilots in latter stages of Pacific War.

1942 Desert War comes to conclusion. Germans had helped Italy in Egypt. Italians wanted to add it to their empire. Germany wanted to cut off vital oil supplies. Battle of El Alamein turning point. Defeat started the pushing back of Italy and Germany. Opens up another front for the allies to launch attacks against Germany. Different conditions bringing problems for soldiers aespecially heat disease and use of tanks.

1943 Italy surrenders.

1944 End of the war in Europe – the Allies plan final attck on weakened Germany. Planned for 6 June – a mass landing on the beaches of Normandy of American, British, Canadian troops with air support.The attack to be called D – Day. Attack a success but many deaths and prolonged resistance mean it is nine months before Germans finally defeated.

1945 May allied attacks on Japan. Japan resist but after being given an ultimatum to surrender USA drop 2 atomic bombs:

• Hiroshima – 70,000 killed; city totally destroyed; radiation; contamination;
• Nagasaki – 36,000 killed.

Why drop the bomb if Japan would eventually surrender?

• It would have meant prolonging the war costing USA lives
• It sends a warning to other countries especially USSR that USA have this powerful weapon and are prepared to use it.

Consequences – a new type of war was available. Creates fear of mutual destruction – leads to greater determination to avoid a future war? Economic cost would be expensive.

Turning Points

1942 – Battles of Midway, El Alamein, Stalingrad.

Reasons for German Defeat

• Failure to defeat Britain in 1940.
• Poor war tactics especially in Russia.
• Resistance to Nazis in occupied countries.
• Impact of USA on war.
  

Consequences of WW II

• Gerrmany divided in two after war.
• Europe is divided into two – communist East/capitalist West.
• League of Nations replaced by United Nations.
• USA offer to help rebuild Europe through Marshall Plan.
• Many countries in Europe have huge debts – leading to social political and economic consequences.

Pages created by J Reeve, 2006.