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 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 Russian dead– 12 million Major contrast to WWI Instead of bogging down in trenches, mechanized units in blitzkrieg, zip though enemy lines, encircle, sow confusion

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, 1940 map 1940 Invasion of Netherlands, Belgium, France France defeated within 6 weeks Britain driven from continent

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

Turning points: map 1942 1942 – El Alemain – allied victory over Rommel in North Africa 1942-43 – Defence of Stalingrad 1943 – Invasion of Italy map 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

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

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

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

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

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

Planning the peace – II Bretton Woods conference –1943 Domestic side 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

Other facets Lidice liberation of Paris Market Garden