World War II: One Of The Worst Tragedies

World War II was fought between the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) and the Allied Powers (Britain, United States, Soviet Union, and France). Although most all countries were involved in some way hence the title “World War II,” the Axis and Allied Powers were the major players on the field. The war began when Germany at the command of Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland on September 1st 1939 as a “defensive action.” However, Britain and France did not buy it hence why they had declared war on Germany two days later as a result. The real reason Germany invaded Poland was because Hitler wanted more Lebensraum (“living space”) for Germans. Hitler believed that he would be able to get away with taking over Poland due to the fact that many counties appeased him when he had taken over Austria and the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia. The United States’ decision to stay neutral also played a role in World War II, as they did not come to aid to the countries apart of the League of Nations.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. More than 2,000 American lives were lost, as well as 187 aircraft and 18 naval vessels. This tragedy finally brought the United States into World War II on the side of the Allies. The United States, Great Britain, and The Soviet Union became The Big Three. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin headed these countries, respectively.

Joseph Stalin used the early years of WWII to gain Territory, which include Finland and Baltic States. (WorldWar2history.info). Later they signed a neutrality pact with Japan. “On June 22, 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union, thereby beginning Operation Barbarossa,” because of the invasion Soviet Union joined the war (WorldWar2History.info).

Invasion of Poland, Blitzkrieg - September, 1939 - Germany used series of "lightning campaigns" to conquer Poland. The invasion caused Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany.

According to Daina Stukuls this was led by the devastation it did to the civilian population in the three countries. For example, Latvia population before the war was 2.5 million and by the end of the war it plummeted to 1.58 million (p.232). During this time some in the Baltic States supported the Bolshevik revolution. However, others wanted an independent state especially in Latvia. While others in Latvia specifically the German population wanting to unify with Germany. However, the fight for independence was won by the nationalist with help from the British. All three Baltic countries declared their independence in

In the end the Triple Entente (England, France and Russia later to be joined by Italy, the United States and Japan) defeated the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria Hungary and the Ottoman Empire). The conflict which was long and bloody was marked by trench warfare and the use of chemical weapons. It was fought mostly in French territory. At the conclusion of hostilities Germany was still in French territory but it was relatively clear that the combined industrial might of the Triple Entente would prevail. In actuality the influence of the United States is questionable. Germany hoped to negotiate a favorable treaty but as we shall see this was not to be the case. The Treaty of Versailles was signed ending the war and blaming Germany for the entire conflict. This blame and the consequent punishment set the stage for years of resentment and another world war, something American President Woodrow Wilson had hoped to avoid.

3.1.1941- Bulgaria signs the Tripartite Agreement. Becoming part of the Axis powers. (Germany, Italy, Japan, Hungary, Romania and now Bulgaria)

Germany guaranteed economic aid to Slovakia and military protection and Soviet territory to Romania. Romania joined the axis powers on November 23, 1940 and Slovakia joined a day later. They also warned Hungary that German support for additions to Hungarian land from Czechoslovak and Romanian territory might change to benefit Slovakia and Romania (USHM). Hungary was mindful of recent German support for adding land in northern Transylvania and was eager for future lands added on from Transylvania to their land, Hungary joined the axis powers on November 20, 1940 (USHM). Bulgaria joined the axis powers on March 1, 1941 after Germany offered them land from Greece and that they did not have to participate in the invasion of the Soviet Union. Yugoslavia joined the on March 25, 1941 after Germany agreed to let Yugoslavia remain neutral in the war against Greece and they didn’t demand transit rights for Axis troops. 2 days later, Serbian military officers overthrew the government that signed the Tripartite Pact. This new country that was created was Croatia who joined the Axis powers on June 15, 1941. On June 26, 1941, Finland, who was looking to regain territory that it lost during the Winter War in 1939-1940, joined the fight against the USSR as a “co-belligerent” even though they never signed the

After sweeping through and forcing surrender upon many European nations, including Poland and France, Germany was ready to take on Great Britain in a battle that would showcase Germany’s first signs of weakness and lack of momentum, the Battle of Britain. At the conclusion of the Battle of France, The Soviet Union was next on Germany's list of victims, assuming the British would surrender to Adolf Hitler as Great Britain was the only Allied Power left unconquered in Europe.. Winston Churchill failed to agree to an armistice with Adolf Hitler and the German Luftwaffe quickly began to close in on the British with airstrikes after France had surrendered to the Germans on June 18th, 1940.

The war ultimately began when Jozef Pilsudski, the Polish head of state, came to an alliance with the Ukrainian nationalist leader, Symon Petliura. Now united, they began to take over the Ukrainian territory, settling in Kiev on May 7th. But, soon enough, the Soviet Red Army countered them, reaching the Polish border around the end of July and advancing through Poland, eventually reaching the outside of Warsaw. The Western European powers feared that the

The Tripartite Pact signed by the three stated that any country, excluding the Soviet Union, who were to attack the Axis Powers would have no choice but to go to war with all three. The Axis Powers later expanded their reach to Hungry, Slovakia and Romania. With the help of Hungry and Romania the Germans initiate the siege on the USSR. The Tripartite Pact was also signed by the Bulgarian’s and Yugoslavia on March 1941, with Yugoslavia being overwhelmed by the British. Subsequently the Germans deemed the new regime unfavorable and proceed to wipe out the

With Germany now a very powerful country, the Soviet Union signs a nonaggression pact with Hitler, promising not to attack each other and secretly dividing Poland among them. WORLD WAR II BEGINS: While a previous appeasement was agreed, Hitler ignored it and had now rushed his troops to Poland. Fighting against the Allied Powers of Britain and France who declares war on Germany, World War II finally begins. Hitler moves west and once capturing Poland, Hitler turns toward Western Europe, conquering Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherland. Now Hitler has won a battle against France.

After the defeating of Poland in September 1939, Russia wanted to extend its influ-ence over the Baltic and forced Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia to sign treaties that allowed Russia to establish military bases in each of the three Baltic Countries. Next, the USSR, took advantage of its non-aggression pact with Germany to make several far-reaching demands on Finland in order to recover former territory lost after the World War I. Finland refused so the Winter War started. After the World War I, the Soviet Union started to build its Arctic capabilities, improving the conditions of Murmansk Port and building the White Canal connecting Baltic Sea and Arctic Ocean. Finland was important part of Soviet plans for development Arctic capabilities and the Northern part of Norway as well. After the winter war, Finland expected protection and support from the Allies side, but it was effectively blocked by Soviet and German activities. This resulted in Finland being drawn closer to Germany, first as a counterbalance to prevent current Soviet pressure and later to help regain lost

World War II, such a tragic event. It left many people homeless and dead. Many people wonder what happened, before the war, during the war, life after the war, and lastly, current foreign affairs? On one side of the world was the Great Depression and on the other side the rise of Hitler was beginning.

The Russo-Finnish War, or Winter War, began on 30 November 1939 when the Soviet Union invaded Finland. The objectives of the Red Army were simply, conquer and subjugate all of Finland and re-establish the borders that existed prior to the First World War. The Soviet Union held the advantage in manpower, equipment, and resources, but the Finnish Army inflicted casualties on the Red Army that far exceeded their own. Not a single Red Army unit reached its initial objectives and Stalin was forced to come to the negotiation table and make a peace that left Finland as a sovereign state. The Finnish military was successful because the Red Army lacked competent leadership, didn’t have the proper equipment to fight in subzero temperatures, and the Finnish Army was able to adapt to a changing environment and use their smaller numbers to their advantage. The gaping holes in Soviet military capabilities helped fuel Hitler’s willingness to initiate Operation Barbarossa. Additionally, by invading Finland the Soviet Union turned a disinterested and essentially neutral into an enemy that had the capabilities to strike into the heart of Russia.