Overview
This lecture summarizes key events and turning points of World War II, covering battles, alliances, campaigns, and the eventual Allied victory.
Shifting Alliances and Early Campaigns
- The British were supported by Commonwealth nations and Allied colonies, especially in Africa and Italy.
- Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the Axis Powers by signing the Tripartite Pact.
- The Soviet Union struggled in its war against Finland and then annexed the Baltic States and parts of Romania.
- French African colonies pledged loyalty to Free France, except Gabon, which was taken by force.
- Mussolini's attempts to expand Italy's influence in Africa and Greece failed, earning Italy the nickname “Europe’s soft underbelly.”
American Involvement and the Battle of the Atlantic
- The U.S. initially resisted joining the war but supplied the Allies with weapons and food.
- German U-boats threatened Allied supply lines; technological advances and code-breaking by Alan Turing reduced the U-boat threat.
Axis Advances and Soviet Struggles
- Germany expanded its influence in the Balkans; Bulgaria joined the Axis, Yugoslavia was invaded.
- Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa, the largest invasion in history, against the Soviet Union, capturing millions of Soviet troops.
- The German advance stalled due to the harsh winter and lack of preparation, allowing Soviet counterattacks.
Japanese Expansion and U.S. Entry
- Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, prompting U.S. entry into the war.
- Japan quickly captured territory in the Pacific and Southeast Asia but failed to destroy key U.S. naval facilities at Pearl Harbor.
Turning Points: Stalingrad, Africa, and the Pacific
- The Soviets encircled and defeated the German 6th Army at Stalingrad, marking a major turning point.
- Allied victories in North Africa pushed Axis forces out of the continent.
- The U.S. defeated Japan at Midway, crippling the Japanese Navy.
Allied Offensives and Liberation
- Allies invaded Sicily and Italy, leading to Mussolini's fall and Italy's surrender.
- D-Day landings in Normandy began the liberation of Western Europe.
- Soviet forces pushed from the east, while American and British troops advanced from the west.
The War’s End and Aftermath
- The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan’s surrender.
- Germany was divided among the Allies; Japan was occupied and reformed.
- The war's end marked the beginning of tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, leading to the Cold War.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Tripartite Pact — Military alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan.
- Operation Barbarossa — Codename for Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union.
- Enigma Code — German military encryption cracked by Allied codebreakers.
- D-Day — Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the significance of key battles (Stalingrad, Midway, Normandy).
- Understand how alliances and shifting strategies influenced the war's outcome.
- Prepare for discussion or quiz on WWII turning points and their global impact.