World War 2 - two book reviews
Norling Justin Norling HIST 470 Book Review 1 October 10, 2012 The first and perhaps the lesser interesting of the two books was Sunburst: The Rise of Japanese Naval Air Power, 1909 – 1941. But although it may not have been as interesting as the second book, it was still a very good, and well written piece. The author of the book, Mark Peattie, was inspired to write this book as a sequel to an earlier written book entitled Kaigun after proving it to be very successful amongst readers, and following much deserved positive feedback. Kaigun explored all aspects of the Japanese Navy but only had a small section dedicated to the Air Power in which proved to be so important during the early to mid-1900’s. This is perhaps why Peattie felt that writing Sunburst was so important. This book demonstrates with great clarity the strengths and weaknesses of Japanese naval aviation from its origin in 1909 to its extreme capability it showed right before the beginning of the Pacific War. Peattie also gives a very detailed description of Japan's naval air operation over China from 1937 to 1941, and then also touches on all the noticeable aspects of the naval air service: training, personnel, tactics, doctrine, technology, and industrial base. In doing so, he combines data found in previous handbooks with important new information resulting from Japanese language sources.
Explain how the human rights position of the jews has improved since world war two
Explain how the human rights position of the Jews has improved since World War Two. Jews have been subjected to Anti-Semitism for hundreds of years mainly as a result of Christian teachings which blamed them for the death of Jesus Christ. They were labelled "Christ-Killers" and in the early 20th century many were being persecuted in Russia. This forced many of them to flee to Germany as they believed it was a much safer place with a more tolerant society. However, once Hitler came to power this soon changed and after the Wannsee conference in January 1942 he activated the "Final Solution." This saw millions of Jews being herded into extermination camps like Auschwitz-Birkenau where they were gassed, shot or worked to death. It is approximated that 6 million Jews were brutally murdered during the Holocaust. Although, Jews were greatly discriminated during the Second World War there human rights position has vastly improved since 1945. On November 20th 1945 Jews first gained the Justice they deserved when 24 leading Nazi where put on trial for 10 months in Nuremburg. They were tried on four accounts; Crimes against peace, War crimes, Crimes against humanity and Conspiracy. The trials led to the hanging of 12 Nazis which showed the world that Anti-Semitism would no longer be tolerated but punished instead. The trials also allowed the world to hear stories from the death camps
European decolonisation after the World War Two.
European decolonisation after the World War Two Background of European colonisation: * European colonisation started since European Powers navigated and explored around the world in 15th century. * European Powers colonized on every continents. * The pace of European colonisation went faster after the Industrial Revolution, because of advance in technology of European Powers and their higher desire for colonies. * At the early 20th century, over 10000000square miles and 150million population were under colonial rule. Why European Powers established colonial empire? * Rise of imperialism - European Powers seek for colonies in the object of imperialistic power expansion. * External trade - After the Industrial Revolution, productivity of European countries increased sharply that local consumption wasn't adequate to absorb it. European Powers captured colonies and exported goods to colonies in order to solve the problem of excess productivity. * Source of material and natural resources - Large amount of material and natural resources were needed by European powers for economic use and also support their military force. * Sign of hegemony - Colonies were also a sign of hegemony, national glory, power and strength. Major colonial states in Europe before the World War Two: * Britain - colonized India, Malaya, Pakistan, Burma, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Hongkong, Gibraltar,
Origins of World War II
David Mnatsakanov Professor Thornton HIST 3332 – Essay 1 Deep Origins of World War II The subject of the Second World War, and especially its origins, causes, and motives so far is not only one of the important historical facts, but due to declassification of archives of the former Soviet Union, it is deemed one of the controversial topics. For instance, during the Soviet period until 1988, the blame for the outbreak of the World War II was laid on Western Countries and Germany in particular, however after the declassification, the emphasis shifted to the other side of the coin, where the main culprits of the outbreak of World War II are called the totalitarian regimes - Germany and the Soviet Union, which involved the whole world in their struggle for world domination: “I would like to suggest that, from the beginning of the war, the Soviet communists made accusations against every country in the world with the deliberate intention of concealing their own role as its instigators.”[1] Undoubtedly, there were many other controversial arguments in regard to real German and Soviet intensions during the World War II In this essay, which was closely guarded secret before the collapse of the Soviet Union. In my essay, I’m going touch upon some crucial events that took place in the beginning of the Second World War and will bring into consideration some controversial
Evacuation in Britain in World War Two
Evacuation in Britain in World War Two Towards the end of 1939 most British people found that it was very hard to stop Hitler and they decided to use force because they thought that this could only stop him. Britain and France declared war on Germany on the 3rd September 1939, before this Germany had invaded Poland, which the British promised to protect. The British army sailed across the English Channel to join our ally France. Back home, the civilians of the British Isles prepared for a war which they knew was going to affect them directly. World War One had ended 21 years before, and many people remembered gas attacks, bombings from the air, rationing of food supplies and fear of enemy invasion. The word "Evacuation "means that when Britain wanted to move all the children from the dangerous areas to a safer area which was outside the country and they would be safe from peril or hazard. Before world war two children were moved from the dangerous area that was close for the enemy to be bombing. At this time factories and industries were making equipment for war. Britain expected towns and cities to be bombed. The idea was that evacuees would be in a safer place and stay with the local families. Many people were still worried about the First World War because of gas attacks, rationing, fear of enemy invasion and the bombings. This situation was not forgotten and
Why Germany Lost World War Two
On 22 June 1941 Germany invaded the Soviet Union and declared war upon them. For a while it seem that the Soviet Union would be defeated. However, with great courage and determination the Russians fought back until in 1945 when the last German troops were expelled from Russia but what were the main causes for this, I have to look at the short and long term cause of the war to answer this controversial question. Russia was very successful on their defeat of the Axis because they were one of the most biggest countries in the world therefore her army out numbered the German army easily. The Russian advance from the East into Germany obliterated 607 divisions of the Germanys army; this approximately 6 million men. Even the other countries Russia was allied to could not compare to that figure; Britain and the U.S.A together could only mange 176 divisions of Germanys army. With such a vast army Russia was obligated to fight the biggest battles for example, Battle of Kursk July 1943, which was one of the largest tank battle in history and also Barbarossa which absorbed 75% of the German Army; Russia was the only country on the allies side fighting on the ground in Europe because Britain and the U.S.A were fighting in the sea, air and in North Africa. On the other hand Germany started a war that they could not possibly win. Germany had a leader Adolph Hitler, who had no military
World War II timeline
Development of World War II 1939 August 24th: Hitler and Stalin sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact, agreeing not to attack each other and to divide Poland between them. September: Germany and the USSR invade Poland. WWII begins. Poland collapses in a few days. Canada enters the War with Britain. The Battle of the Atlantic begins. September 2nd: Britain and France declare war on Germany, but didn't send troops to defend Poland. 1940 April: Hitler invades Denmark and Norway. Norway would provide naval bases. Winston Churchill replaces Chamberlain (British PM). May: Hitler invades France, swept the Netherlands and Belgium and conquers most of France in two months. It was called the "blitzkrieg" or "lightning war". May 26th to June 4th: 340.000 BEF and French troops were evacuated from Dunkirk. France lost 40% of its army and 80% of its equipment. June 12th: Italy declares war on France. June 21st: France surrenders and becomes part of the Axis alliance. South-east France becomes a self-governing region, run by Marshal Pétain, who declared his intention to cooperate with the Nazis. July 1st: The first German aircraft crosses the English Channel. The air war known as "Battle of Britain" begins. Britain wins this war because their air force was better than the German Luftwaffe. September: the Luftwaffe begins the air raid in London, instead of attacking the RAF. This is known
Russia - Stalin
Russia Coursework a) Explain Trotsky's contribution to the success of the Bolsheviks up to 1922 The Bolsheviks were the majority party for the communists. After the Bolsheviks overthrew the government in October 1917, they managed to hold on to power by winning the civil war; which was started because other parties demanded a share in government; however the Bolshevik leaders wanted to govern alone. Leon Trotsky was a War Commissar and organized the Red Army using ex-Tsarist officers to train and lead soldiers. He took officers' families hostage to ensure loyalty, and assigned a political commissar to each unit to help secure the loyalty of the officers. Trotsky kept up morale, however he was very ruthless in his discipline and he often used the death penalty; however this contributed to the excellent performance of the Red Army. Trotsky was a superb organiser and a great orator, her was popular with the youth and committed communists and had strong military support. He was a very intelligent man and used his knowledge to organise the Red Army. In doing this, the Civil War was won, because of Trotsky's tactical ability, the army was strong enough to defeat the Whites and therefore stay in power. Had it not been for the discipline within the army, using ex-Tsarist officers, the war could have easily been lost due to poor defence. Though there were other factors that helped
World War 2 Timeline
World War 2 Timeline During the nearly six years that World War 2 raged, approximately 61 million individuals (miliary and civilian) lost their lives. Russia suffered more than any other nation, with nearly 25 million deaths, followed by China with 11 million and Germany with 7 million. The United States entered World War 2 after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. During the next four years, the U.S. lost 295,000 soldiers in death, and had a total of 405,399 American casualties (including wounded). In comparison, during the Civil War fought in the United States from 1861-1865, 624,511 individuals lost their lives. April 14, 1939 President Roosevelt appeals for peace in Europe. August 2, 1939 Albert Einstein writes letter to President Roosevelt about the possibility of constructing a nuclear bomb. September 1, 1939 Germany invades Poland. Britain and France give Hitler ultimatum. September 3, 1939 Great Britain and France declare war on Germany. September 17, 1939 Soviet forces, under terms of a secret agreement with Germany, marched into Poland from the East. November 4, 1939 United States passes Neutrality Act of 1939. April 9, 1940 Germany invades Denmark and Norway. May 10, 1940 German army invades Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. May 10, 1940 Chamberlain resigns as British Prime Minister; Winston Churchill becomes new Prime Minister. May 11,
World War Two Sources Questions - War at Sea
History Coursework. ) The war at sea was of minimal importance at the start of the war, but it became of great importance towards the end. The war at sea was mainly a tactical battle when it finally had an effect. But up until that point the sea was used for shipping goods such as cotton into Britain. Britain relied on the goods which were shipped in, this was mainly because of Britain's large population. The last battle which took place on the sea before the start of the war was the battle of Jutland. This battle was to prove to be nothing more than a chance to test there new types of weaponry. The newest piece of technology to take place in this battle was the Dreadnaught. This was the largest battle ship of its time. But it proved to be useless in battle; this was due to its large cost and the time that it took to construct. But a new piece of water going technology was going to take its place, this was the U-Boat. The U-boat was the first ship of its kind that was able to travel under water and use very destructive weaponry. The sea had always been of a great importance to the British Empire, because of the fact that it needed it to protect it far out colonies, which would have been overcome if Britain had a poor navy, and the income of supplies such as cotton and wheat for its over populated country. These were many reasons why the British Navy had been the best
