The Role Of Women in WW2

Lauren Edwards 13D "How significant was the role of women in WW2, for Britain?" Women played a significant supportive role towards the successful outcome of World War 2. By the end of 1942, 10 million women aged between 19 and 50 were registered for war work. It was a total mobilisation on a scale never dreamed of by the Third Reich and it played a vital part in Britain winning through to eventual victory. In December 1941, Britain became the first nation in history to conscript women. This signifies a total war situation. Total war being the absence of any restraint in warfare. Initially, women were directed into land armies, factories and the military in March 1941. However, by July the manpower shortfall was such that it became clear drastic steps had to be taken. In December, all people aged between 18 and 60 regardless of sex were now obliged to undertake some form of part time national service. Most revolutionary of all, women were now to be conscripted for the first time in any modern civilised nation. The intensification of U-boat attacks on ships bound for Britain was ordered by Hitler in February 1941. In May, 142 merchant ships were sunk by German U-boats and air attacks accounted for a further 179. In addition to arms, shipments of bacon, beans and tinned meat as well as other vitals began that summer and were crucial to the battle to keep the nation fed. As

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Personal Motives during the Civil War

Per. 2 American History 5/22/2011 "If you will call your troubles experiences, and remember that every experience develops some latent force within you, you will grow vigorous and happy, however adverse your circumstances may seem to be." ~John Heywood The Civil War was a culmination of over four decades of intense sectional conflicts between the north (Union) and south (Confederacy) regarding economic, social, and political issues. A widespread Civil War broke out when eleven southern states seceded from the Union. Although the South ceded from the Union to stand up for their economic and political independences, the individuals who fervently fought in the war had drastically different motives which drew them to war. This is the driving question which led Jeffrey Shaara to write the book Gods and Generals, a historically accurate account of four highly influential men: General Robert E. Lee, General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, Officer Winfield Hancock, and Colonel Joshua Chamberlain. Shaara delves deep into the personal lives of these four men, showing how their personal lives greatly influenced their moral and philosophical positions in the war.motifs which drove each of these men in the course of war. Robert E. Lee's deep-seated duty to God and duty to Virginia are the reasons why Lee fought and pushed so fervently in time of war. Robert E. Lee returns home, a

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Why Did Mussolini become Prime Minister in 1922?

Why Did Mussolini become Prime Minister in 1922? In 1922 Mussolini became Prime Minister on 29th of October 1922 after his fascist supporters marched on Rome. Although this event happened directly before Mussolini became Prime Minister there are other reasons as to why Mussolini was able to become Prime Minister. Socialists and Squadristi The socialists proved a threat to the Liberal government as they gained the majority in the 1919 elections and then in the 1920 elections. Fascism though proved to be an effective weapon against the socialists mainly due to the fascist squads. The fascist squads reacted violently towards socialism attacking and rioting against them, the fact that a group was taking effective action against the socialists was an important factor as this meant many more people began to support fascism. Support was further gained by fascists Black Shirts in that they reduced the effectiveness of the socialist strikes by taking over operations of public services and railways which were affected due to the strike in order that they could run as normal. So this was yet another way in which the fascism gained support through actions against socialists. The support flourished and to some fascism proved to be the solution to socialism and as the support for fascism grew it also increased the likelihood for Mussolini to become Prime Minister. The Liberal

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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The Style and Times of Jack Kerouac

The Style and Times of Jack Kerouac Jack Kerouac led a crazy and exhilarating life separated from the normal scope of realm of mainstream American life. Still On the Road and The Dharma Bums remained Kerouac's only profitable successes, not only through these work, but through many others he changed modern American Literature and culture. Kerouac essentially shaped a life-style dedicated to music, art, literature, and poetry. When the "Beat" movement flourished out of his personal management, he became came to loathe it, and ended up living a lonely, desperate life on the end of what was once a movement he had valued and loved above everything else. Through this life journey though, he had created a style of writing that incorporated many elements of all the distinguished writers before his time. He created this style through common and swift language, real identities, and the experiences of everyday life. He began reading excitedly in junior high school. During his English classes he succeeded greatly, unlike his social status. Mark Twain and Jack London were two writers that greatly influenced his early writing. Kerouac developed his own imaginary world in his mind. He then documented this creation in newspapers. The short articles then led to his first novel entitled, The Town and the City, which was a based on a summary of a news article in the New York Times (Maher

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Political problems faced by the Third Republic in France 1870-1900:

Political problems faced by the Third Republic in France 1870-1900: The year 1871 signalled the end for the French 2nd Empire. The 2 September 1870, the Prussians had beaten, in Sedan, the French convincingly and had captured Napoleon III, France Emperor at the time. Two days later the third republic was proclaimed without violence. The new government continued resistance to the Germans who then laid siege to Paris. To defend the city, a National Guard was raised. Paris was besieged until January 1871. On 8 February 1871, a new National Assembly was elected and this one gave to Thiers the title of Chef du Pouvoir. This government was established at Versailles not in Paris because of revolt in the city. The Paris Commune was elected on 28 March with its seat at the Hotel de Ville but a civil war was fought between the Commune and the troops of the Versailles government. The Second Siege of Paris began. The Commune was suppressed by government troops led by Marshal McMahon.. In May the Nation Assembly approved the Treat of Frankfurt with Germany that ended the Franco-Prussian war but France lost Alsace and Lorraine. Between the years 1879 and 1914 the Third Republic faced 3 major crises. However the Republic survived. The split in French society was shown clearly by the

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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The Nazi take over of power between 1933 and 1934 constituted as a revolution.

"The Nazi take over of power between January 1933 and August 1934 constituted as a revolution in Germany." Do you Agree? 24marks A revolution is defined as a radical and pervasive change within a country, which covers all areas of politics, economics, culture and social structure, which occurs within a limited period of time and may include violence. Therefore, I do not agree with the motion as I do not believe that the changes within Germany between the years of 1933 and 1934 constituted as a full-scale revolution. There are several reasons why I believe a full-scale revolution did not occur, which are the lack of changes within the social, economic structure and also the fact that before this period of time, democracy was not fully functioning. However, I do agree to a certain extend as I believe that the changes in Germany within this period of time constitute as a political revolution, but nothing more. The reasons for this includes the change from democracy to dictatorship and the dissolution of major organisations including the Reichstag, and finally the intolerance towards political opposition. Firstly, one reason why I feel the events which occurred between January 1933 and August 1934 can not be described as a full-scale revolution is due to the lack of change within the social and economic structure of Germany. For many years during the Weimar Republic regime and

  • Word count: 1181
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Essay on civil rights

Why did a mass Civil Rights movement emerge in the late 1950's? The importance of civil rights for Black Americans was at an all time high within in the late 1950s.Black Americans having been oppressed not only within in their rights of freedom yet also in terms of education and employment felt that it was time for a major change. Thus various civil right movements had to be implemented. However, it is key to understand the reasons why a civil rights movement did not occur earlier on for it allows us to gain an insight into the levels of segregation and lack of opportunities that Black Americans faced. During the inter-war year period of 1920 to 1941, Black Americans amongst other minorities suffered from the racial segregation that had deemed to govern the way in which they would live their lives. During the year known as the 'Roaring Twenties' America was enjoying unprecedented prosperity having become the worlds leading industrial nation. However, this affluence was only shared mainly by the white Americans, whilst conditions for Black individuals only seemed to get worse; arguably discrimination, prejudice and racism reaching a peak during these years. Moreover, the latter was upheld by a radical groups known as the Ku Klux Klan made up of different individuals some possessing a great deal of power such as governors and police officers. They felt that segregation of

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  • Word count: 1535
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Describe the problems that faced the Bolsheviks in their first year in government and their solutions

Describe the problems that faced the Bolsheviks in their first year in government and their solutions Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted - Vladimir Lenin This is what Lenin announced as he came into power in November of 1917. It is argued that this was completed within the first couple of years of his ruling, though as with any new government, the first year was the most difficult. Many problems were encountered within that time, some handed from the previous provisional government, and others from the Bolsheviks themselves. The first of these large problems was an international one, and that was World War One. Russia had been fighting alongside the British and the French against Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The war had begun in 1914 and was currently draining Russia of its few precious resources, such as food, coal and iron. Being a Socialist movement, the Bolsheviks aim was to instigate peace.1 War went against their main beliefs, and this therefore had to be dealt with straight away. One of Karl Marx's most famous quotes was "No nation which oppresses others can itself be free" and Lenin was a great admirer of Marx and his theories on Communism. Not only this, but if the war had continued and had been won, Lenin was afraid that Germany may claim some of their land in victory, and this is

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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The Roles of Lenin and Stalin in the Russian Revolution.

The Roles of Lenin and Stalin in the Russian Revolution How should we interpret the Bolshevik Revolution, in the light of later events? Michael Lynch explains the issues with which we have to grapple and gives tips on how to impress the examiners. Did Stalin fulfil or betray the revolution that Lenin had begun in 1917? Was he the heir or the betrayer of Lenin? These are not simply academic questions specially thought up by fiendish examiners to terrorise candidates. They relate to a genuine historical debate that continues to cause controversy among politicians and to divide historians. Importance of the Theme Probably more books have been written about the Russian Revolution than any other event in the twentieth century. The reason is not hard to find. Despite the collapse of Soviet Communism in the early 1990s, there are Marxists who still believe that the Russian revolution was a unique event in human history. According to this belief, the taking of power by the Bolsheviks in October 1917 marked a momentous stage in the development of human society. The Bolshevik Party represented the proletarian masses whose historical role was to sweep aside their class oppressors. 1917 therefore, was a new dawn in human history. The workers of Russia had taken power for themselves. They had begun a revolution which would rapidly spread worldwide until it had destroyed capitalist

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Operation Barbarossa and the Russian Offensive.

Operation Barbarossa and the Russian Offensive In 1941 Hitler tried to make one last gamble, he sent his foreign minister to meet the Russian foreign minister Vyaschlav Molotov, and accused the U.S.S.R. of continually breaking of the non-aggression pact signed by both countries. This is how Hitler made his case for war on the eastern front. Hitler's army prepared for an assault on Russia, which stretched over three thousand kilometres. The Russians knew of the impending threat of invasion but the Germans still managed to surprise them. The Russians has intelligence from their sources and from foreign powers. Yet this did not save them. The Germans used three main army groups: * The northern army was commanded by Field Marshall Wilhelm von Leeb * The central army was commanded by Field Marshall Fedor von Bock * The southern army was commanded by Field Marshall Gerd von Rundstedt. This map shows the German advance the red lines represent the army's advance and there intended destination. They planned to do a fast strong assault straight to Leningrad (St.Petersburg), Kiev and Moscow. They used 183 divisions to counter the Red Armies 170 divisions. This was only 54% of the Red Armies actual numbers. The plan was to occupy territory from Archangel to Astrakhan. Hitler was taking a big gamble when he decided to attack Russia. The war in western Europe still raged

  • Word count: 1662
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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