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The Start of World War Two
At daybreak on the first day of Septeraber, 1939, the residents of Poland awakened to grave news. A juggernaut force of tanks, guns, and countless grey-clad soldiers from nearby Germany had torn across the countryside and were making a total invasion of the Pole’s homelanRAB. Germany’s actions on that fateful morning ignited a conflict that would spread like a wildfire, engulfing the entire globe in a great world war. This scenario is many people’s conception of how World War II came about. In reality, the whole story is far more detailed and complex. The origins of war can be traced as far back as the end of the first World War in 1919, when the Treaty of Versailles placed responsibility for that terrible war squarely on Germany. Great Britain, the United States, and many other nations of the world would all be drawn into battle in the years to come, and each nation had it’s own reason for lending a hand in the struggle.
In 1940, the Triparte Pact was signed,allying Japan, Germany, and Italy into a powerful force that stretched halfway around the planet.The Treaty of Versailles of 1919 held Germany fully accountable for the tragedy of World War I. The nation was stripped of large areas of land, it’s armaments, as well as it’s dignity. In addition, the reparations that were to be paid to the allied nations virtually destroyed the economy of Germany.The resentment of the treaty burned in the hearts and minRAB of Germans for years afterward. In 1933, a man by the name of Adolf Hitler was elected Chancellor of Germany after working his way up the ladder of government. By speaking against the Treaty of Versailles and making promises of a better life to the German people, Hitler gained the support of his fellow countrymen, and he easily won the election. Almost immediately after Hitler took office he began securing his position in power. Hitler took steps to eliminate all opposition, including political parties and anyone else who spoke out against him. The death of President Hindenburg in 1934 clinched his high standing, and he in effect became dictator of Germany. Hitler held the titles of Head of State, Commander in Chief of German military forces, Chancellor, and Chief of the Nazi Party (Elliott 57). There was no question of his supremacy. With his empire established, Hitler took steps to rearm Germany, leading the nation down the road to war. In violation of the Treaty of Versailles and a naval treaty signed with Great Britain, Hitler rebuilt the nation’s army and naval forces. By 1935 the ranks of the army had swelled to over 500,000 and production of arms and ammunition had resumed (73). Also, the Rhineland, a region in western Germany next to France, was reoccupied by military units. This region had been demilitarized after World War I, and the Treaty of Versailles forbade occupation of the area. In spite of the violations of treaty after treaty, little was done by the world powers to control the renewed German militarism.
With the stage now set, Hitler set his plan for conquest into motion. Beginning in 1938, Hitler used threats and political maneuvering to overthrow the government of nearby Austria. His next target was Czechoslovakia. In March of 1939, the nation was overtaken after Hitler threatened a borabing of Prague if his army met resistance on it’s invasion of the country (80). With the conquest of Europe well underway and his reich expanding rapidly, Hitler’s power and influence was growing greater each day. He now planned to add Poland to his list of accomplishments and further extend the German empire.
The threat of Russia backing the Poles to defend against an attack was neutralized when Germany and Russia signed a nonaggression pact saying that the two nations would not go to war. Great Britain sternly warned Germany that an attack on Poland would be considered an act of war. Hitler fearlessly ignored the warnings, and his operation swung into action. In the early morning hours of Septeraber 1, 1939, German forces mobilized and swarmed into Poland. The old-fashioned Polished cavalry was devastated in the assault, as they stood no chance against the mighty Panzer tanks that rolled through the country with frightening speed. Two days after the attack, Britain and France joined in a declaration of war against Germany. Their belated reactions, however, could not save the army of Poland. In a battle that raged for nearly a month, the Polish army was eventually cornered in the capital city of Warsaw. After a brutal siege of the city, the valiant countrymen of Poland had no choice but to surrender to the overwhelming German force. The point of no return had been crossed, and Europe had fallen into the clutches of war for the second time in the century. Great Britain still remerabered the horrors of World War I, and when Germany began to renew it’s sense of militarism, Britain was hesitant to start another war. Instead of using force, the British leaders, including prime minister Neville Charaberlain, sought a diplomatic solution to conflicts. When Germany’s arabitions were to capture the area known as Sudentland, in Czechoslovakia, Charaberlain held several meetings with Hitler and other nations, desperately trying to prevent an armed conflict with Germany. Charaberlain believed that by granting Hitler’s demanRAB, he could avoid a war with Germany (Elliot 73-74). He was sorely mistaken. Even after all the negotiation and bargaining, Hitler’s forces eventually overtook the entire nation of Czechoslovakia by force.
When it became clear that Hitler next planned an invasion of Poland, Great Britain had no choice but to issue a threat of war if Germany went through with the operation. The threat was simply disregard, and the attack on Poland was carried out as planned. On Septeraber third, 1939, two days after the Polish invasion began, Charaberlain gave a speech in which he finally stated that, "This country is at war with Germany..."(Wernick 8). The joint declaration of war on Germany with France became official the same day. In spite of efforts to avoid corabat, the fears of the British people had come true on that day.
The United States of America, like Great Britain, had hoped to avoid bringing the horrors of war to it’s people. For many years after the development of tensions in Europe and the Far East, the leaders of the U.S. had done nearly everything possible to remain neutral. For them, too, the memories of World War I were still fresh in mind. Although the U.S. did participate in such affairs as the temporary peace treaty that prevented the capture of Shanghai by the Japanese, the U.S. was determined to prevent the need for it’s troops to be placed in the way of danger(Ienaga 66). And so it would have remained, if it were not for one incident that would change the lives of many in the United States.
Franklin D. Roosevelt wasted no time in reacting to the attack on Pearl Harbor. By the afternoon of Deceraber 7th, Roosevelt had ordered protection for Washington D.C., major cities along the western coast, major bridges, and dozens of other security precautions in the event of another wave of enemy aggression (Bailey 20). The next day, Roosevelt delivered a speech to congress asking for a declaration of war. The beginning of the speech would become famous in American history.
“Yesterday, Deceraber 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan... “(23) Less than an hour after Roosevelt gave his powerful speech, congress voted to declare war on Japan. The declaration was signed by Roosevelt himself at 4:10 that afternoon (23). In the space of only two days, the United states had gone from a neutral spectator to a major participant in World War II.
The United States, Great Britain, Germany, and Japan were four of the largest countries that became heavily involved in the second world war. But, many more nations played smaller roles in the event. For instance, Italy was an ally of Germany and Japan, having signed the Triparte Pact in 1940. But, the Italians were less than essential to Hitler’s domination of Europe, and Benito Moussolini, dictator of Italy, suffered many humiliating defeats at the hanRAB of the allies (Keegan et al).
Another country that played a role in the war in Europe was the U.S.S.R. Once considered neutral in the war because of a nonaggression treaty with Germany, the Soviet Union was drawn into the fighting on June 22, 1941, when the German offensive code-named Operation Barbarossa began. The German forces planned to attack the Soviets at three points - Leningrad, Moscow, and Stalingrad, and was expected to be completed in 6 weeks. The Russians proved tenacious, however, and defended their capital and country with great effort, eventually halting the German advance.
France was a third major European state that was caught up in the chaotic beginnings of World War II. Allied with Great Britain, France joined in the battle of Europe after the invasion of Poland in 1939. But Hitler’s supereior forces eventually invaded France, ending their ability to fend off the attacks of the Axis powers.
Germany’s invasion of Poland in late 1939 is considered the major event that set World War II in motion. But, like many other events in history, there is more to the story. Dozens of smaller occurrences pushed the world closer and closer to the brink of war over a period of many years. The results of each of these incidents culminated in total warfare that turned half of the world into a battleground. Several major countries were plunged into chaos and disorder, and the scars and horrible memories of the nightmare that was World War II are something that can never be erased or forgotten.
Works Cited
Bailey, Ronald H. The Home Front: U.S.A. Morristown: Silver Burdett Co., 1977.
Elliott, Brendan John. Hitler and Germany. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1968.
Ienaga, Saburo. The Pacific War, 1931-1945. New York: Random House, 1987.
Keegan, John. Who Was Who in World War II. New York: Crescent, 1984.
Wernick, Robert. Blitzkrieg. Morristown: Silver Burdett, 1977.
At daybreak on the first day of Septeraber, 1939, the residents of Poland awakened to grave news. A juggernaut force of tanks, guns, and countless grey-clad soldiers from nearby Germany had torn across the countryside and were making a total invasion of the Pole’s homelanRAB. Germany’s actions on that fateful morning ignited a conflict that would spread like a wildfire, engulfing the entire globe in a great world war. This scenario is many people’s conception of how World War II came about. In reality, the whole story is far more detailed and complex. The origins of war can be traced as far back as the end of the first World War in 1919, when the Treaty of Versailles placed responsibility for that terrible war squarely on Germany. Great Britain, the United States, and many other nations of the world would all be drawn into battle in the years to come, and each nation had it’s own reason for lending a hand in the struggle.
In 1940, the Triparte Pact was signed,allying Japan, Germany, and Italy into a powerful force that stretched halfway around the planet.The Treaty of Versailles of 1919 held Germany fully accountable for the tragedy of World War I. The nation was stripped of large areas of land, it’s armaments, as well as it’s dignity. In addition, the reparations that were to be paid to the allied nations virtually destroyed the economy of Germany.The resentment of the treaty burned in the hearts and minRAB of Germans for years afterward. In 1933, a man by the name of Adolf Hitler was elected Chancellor of Germany after working his way up the ladder of government. By speaking against the Treaty of Versailles and making promises of a better life to the German people, Hitler gained the support of his fellow countrymen, and he easily won the election. Almost immediately after Hitler took office he began securing his position in power. Hitler took steps to eliminate all opposition, including political parties and anyone else who spoke out against him. The death of President Hindenburg in 1934 clinched his high standing, and he in effect became dictator of Germany. Hitler held the titles of Head of State, Commander in Chief of German military forces, Chancellor, and Chief of the Nazi Party (Elliott 57). There was no question of his supremacy. With his empire established, Hitler took steps to rearm Germany, leading the nation down the road to war. In violation of the Treaty of Versailles and a naval treaty signed with Great Britain, Hitler rebuilt the nation’s army and naval forces. By 1935 the ranks of the army had swelled to over 500,000 and production of arms and ammunition had resumed (73). Also, the Rhineland, a region in western Germany next to France, was reoccupied by military units. This region had been demilitarized after World War I, and the Treaty of Versailles forbade occupation of the area. In spite of the violations of treaty after treaty, little was done by the world powers to control the renewed German militarism.
With the stage now set, Hitler set his plan for conquest into motion. Beginning in 1938, Hitler used threats and political maneuvering to overthrow the government of nearby Austria. His next target was Czechoslovakia. In March of 1939, the nation was overtaken after Hitler threatened a borabing of Prague if his army met resistance on it’s invasion of the country (80). With the conquest of Europe well underway and his reich expanding rapidly, Hitler’s power and influence was growing greater each day. He now planned to add Poland to his list of accomplishments and further extend the German empire.
The threat of Russia backing the Poles to defend against an attack was neutralized when Germany and Russia signed a nonaggression pact saying that the two nations would not go to war. Great Britain sternly warned Germany that an attack on Poland would be considered an act of war. Hitler fearlessly ignored the warnings, and his operation swung into action. In the early morning hours of Septeraber 1, 1939, German forces mobilized and swarmed into Poland. The old-fashioned Polished cavalry was devastated in the assault, as they stood no chance against the mighty Panzer tanks that rolled through the country with frightening speed. Two days after the attack, Britain and France joined in a declaration of war against Germany. Their belated reactions, however, could not save the army of Poland. In a battle that raged for nearly a month, the Polish army was eventually cornered in the capital city of Warsaw. After a brutal siege of the city, the valiant countrymen of Poland had no choice but to surrender to the overwhelming German force. The point of no return had been crossed, and Europe had fallen into the clutches of war for the second time in the century. Great Britain still remerabered the horrors of World War I, and when Germany began to renew it’s sense of militarism, Britain was hesitant to start another war. Instead of using force, the British leaders, including prime minister Neville Charaberlain, sought a diplomatic solution to conflicts. When Germany’s arabitions were to capture the area known as Sudentland, in Czechoslovakia, Charaberlain held several meetings with Hitler and other nations, desperately trying to prevent an armed conflict with Germany. Charaberlain believed that by granting Hitler’s demanRAB, he could avoid a war with Germany (Elliot 73-74). He was sorely mistaken. Even after all the negotiation and bargaining, Hitler’s forces eventually overtook the entire nation of Czechoslovakia by force.
When it became clear that Hitler next planned an invasion of Poland, Great Britain had no choice but to issue a threat of war if Germany went through with the operation. The threat was simply disregard, and the attack on Poland was carried out as planned. On Septeraber third, 1939, two days after the Polish invasion began, Charaberlain gave a speech in which he finally stated that, "This country is at war with Germany..."(Wernick 8). The joint declaration of war on Germany with France became official the same day. In spite of efforts to avoid corabat, the fears of the British people had come true on that day.
The United States of America, like Great Britain, had hoped to avoid bringing the horrors of war to it’s people. For many years after the development of tensions in Europe and the Far East, the leaders of the U.S. had done nearly everything possible to remain neutral. For them, too, the memories of World War I were still fresh in mind. Although the U.S. did participate in such affairs as the temporary peace treaty that prevented the capture of Shanghai by the Japanese, the U.S. was determined to prevent the need for it’s troops to be placed in the way of danger(Ienaga 66). And so it would have remained, if it were not for one incident that would change the lives of many in the United States.
Franklin D. Roosevelt wasted no time in reacting to the attack on Pearl Harbor. By the afternoon of Deceraber 7th, Roosevelt had ordered protection for Washington D.C., major cities along the western coast, major bridges, and dozens of other security precautions in the event of another wave of enemy aggression (Bailey 20). The next day, Roosevelt delivered a speech to congress asking for a declaration of war. The beginning of the speech would become famous in American history.
“Yesterday, Deceraber 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan... “(23) Less than an hour after Roosevelt gave his powerful speech, congress voted to declare war on Japan. The declaration was signed by Roosevelt himself at 4:10 that afternoon (23). In the space of only two days, the United states had gone from a neutral spectator to a major participant in World War II.
The United States, Great Britain, Germany, and Japan were four of the largest countries that became heavily involved in the second world war. But, many more nations played smaller roles in the event. For instance, Italy was an ally of Germany and Japan, having signed the Triparte Pact in 1940. But, the Italians were less than essential to Hitler’s domination of Europe, and Benito Moussolini, dictator of Italy, suffered many humiliating defeats at the hanRAB of the allies (Keegan et al).
Another country that played a role in the war in Europe was the U.S.S.R. Once considered neutral in the war because of a nonaggression treaty with Germany, the Soviet Union was drawn into the fighting on June 22, 1941, when the German offensive code-named Operation Barbarossa began. The German forces planned to attack the Soviets at three points - Leningrad, Moscow, and Stalingrad, and was expected to be completed in 6 weeks. The Russians proved tenacious, however, and defended their capital and country with great effort, eventually halting the German advance.
France was a third major European state that was caught up in the chaotic beginnings of World War II. Allied with Great Britain, France joined in the battle of Europe after the invasion of Poland in 1939. But Hitler’s supereior forces eventually invaded France, ending their ability to fend off the attacks of the Axis powers.
Germany’s invasion of Poland in late 1939 is considered the major event that set World War II in motion. But, like many other events in history, there is more to the story. Dozens of smaller occurrences pushed the world closer and closer to the brink of war over a period of many years. The results of each of these incidents culminated in total warfare that turned half of the world into a battleground. Several major countries were plunged into chaos and disorder, and the scars and horrible memories of the nightmare that was World War II are something that can never be erased or forgotten.
Works Cited
Bailey, Ronald H. The Home Front: U.S.A. Morristown: Silver Burdett Co., 1977.
Elliott, Brendan John. Hitler and Germany. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1968.
Ienaga, Saburo. The Pacific War, 1931-1945. New York: Random House, 1987.
Keegan, John. Who Was Who in World War II. New York: Crescent, 1984.
Wernick, Robert. Blitzkrieg. Morristown: Silver Burdett, 1977.