World War II

After the Great War, Japan had attained great power status. Despite the growth of the nation, The Depression increase political tension within the country. A question arose pertaining to the style of rule that would yield the best result for the people. Many politicians believed in a militaristic approach. This decision led Japan to join the Axis Powers, who had similar beliefs. The ambition of The Axis Powers and Japan was to revise peace settlement that followed the war, and combat economic distress. In order to achieve their goals Japan had to conquer territories necessary for economic and political development. Japan began the Expansionist Reform in order to spread their imperial control and facilitate growth.

The early stages of Japan's expansion was not met with much opposition. China was forced to defend it land, but other nation strayed away from the conflict. The League of Nations simply investigated the Mukden Incident and found both parties at fault. As result Japan withdrew from the League. Once Japan launched a full scale invasion on China other nations began to intervene, but it was too late. Japan had turned the focus towards a global scale. It had no problem due to the conflicts in Europe, but the Allies worked to halt the expansionist movement of Japan.

While under the rule of the Japanese, China worked towards gaining it territories and freedom. When Japanese attain control of large portions of China the people became united by a sense of nationality. Japan realized it was necessary to strike fear into its opposition, and began to use methods of warfare that led to mass deaths of civilians. Despite the hard times, The Chinese fought on using guerrilla warfare tactics in order to avoid direct contact with a much stronger power.

Even before the United States fully entered the war, they moved towards involvement in global affairs. Japan new the US would interfere with its plans and decided to cripple US naval forces in the Pacific. This action would allow Japan to conquer land in Southeast Asia. Japan launched 350 bombers, fighters, and torpedo planes to attack the naval forces in Hawaii.

Fascism, a new form of governing, swept across Europe after 1919. Fascism is an authoritarian political movement designed to combat socialism. This form of governing created viable societies by subordinating individuals to the service of the government, and also resembled an extreme form of nationalism.

Benito Mussolini's rise to power was promoted by Italians' feelings of disillusionment and discontent. Mussolini tricked to Italians into liking him by acting sorrowful about the situation of veterans. He made many promises to the Italian, such as overcoming economic difficulties and bringing glory to Italy. He also promised to acquire territory denied to the Italians after the Great War. Mussolini also allied himself with the military.

Italy was not the strongest or the most determined of the Axis Powers. Italy's prospects for world glory never seemed as bright as the other nations in the Axis Powers. Most Italians did not wish to go to war, and was seen as a cruel nation. Italy was also indecisive and until 1940 was not completely associated with the Axis Powers.

Hitlers rise to power was not an easy journey. He did not have much education or large experience in politics. His first experience was directing political harangues to anyone who would listen. It wasn't until after Germany's defeat in the Great War that he realized his true calling. In 1921 he became the chairman of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Movement). In 1923 the Nazi movement tried to overthrow the current political party, but it was a failure and Hitler was sent to jail. From 1929-1932 this party grew largely in the political world, giving Hitler the chance to become a leader.

Immediately after the National Socialist Party came to power in 1933, the movement for Anti-Semitism began. In 1935 the Nuremberg Laws were passed, which would change the life of Jews tremendously. Some of the changes that came with these laws were: Jewish people were no longer citizens and Jewish people could not marry non-Jewish people. These laws also lead to many Jewish people losing their jobs and money. The goal of this was to eliminate Jewish presence in the economy, politics and ultimately have Jewish people emigrate.

Germany had many reasons for doing what it did. Germany's reasons for expanding all over Europe was to right the wrongs done to them after WWI and to reunite all Germans under in one nation. After WWI Germany lost many privileges and land it thought it deserved. This was one of the reasons it expanded.

Germany was successful in its expansion movement due to the intelligence of its military. The nazi military was not simply focused on brute force and fire power, but how it could maneuver around its enemies and strategically attack. One of Germany's strategic plans was Blitzkrieg also know as lightning warfare. This was used in against Poland and they were able to capture the Easter half of Poland in a month. A second strategy Germany forces used at sea was traveling in pacts. This allowed for the submarines to have an advantage over British convoys. One of the most important strategic moves was Operation Barbosa, which could have changed the outcome of the war.

The Non-Aggression Pact was designed to help Germany in the heat of war, but the Soviet Union also benefitted from the agreements. The Soviet Union would receive land and also finished materials for raw ones. They gained many economic gains and also were supposed to be protected from an attack by the Nazis.

The Soviet Union did not have the most skilled army, but was still able to defeat the strong Nazi army. Despite the Red Army being unskilled and undertrained, they out numbered most other armies greatly. The Soviet Union also had powerful allies to assist in its battles.

The Battle of Stalingrad was very significant to the outcome of WWII. In this battle the Red Army defeated the Army of Germany. This defeat cause Germany to have to fall back away from necessary resources.

The United States was at war with Japan. Hitler saw this as beneficial to his conquest. Hitler thought now, that having Japan as an ally would mean victory. Due to this Germany declared war on the US. This is when the United States entered the war. This provided the US with the only reason it needed to join the war.

The Japanese could not be beat. Their conquest of the Pacific was going exactly to plan and Japan had taken over many islands in the Pacific. One day a battle for the last US control island raged on. When the smoke had cleared and the sound of gunfire had gone silent the US flag still stood tall. Japan had lost a battle. Soon after an operation called Magic allowed the US to destroy four Japanese carries. These events led to the US gaining the offensive and retrieving many islands it had lost.

D-Day was one of the most significant events during WWII. This battle was so monumental it would decide the outcome of Hitler's success and also the outcome of the entire war. When the allies won it meant the end of Hilter's tyranny.

Resources

• Traditions and Ecounters A Glaobal Perspective on The Past