The Rise and Fall of Nazi Germany: WWII’s Impact
The Path to War: German Power Politics
Germany’s Rejection of International Norms
Hitler’s rise to power led to Germany’s abandonment of the League of Nations and the Treaty of Versailles. This rejection of international shows manifested in the annexation of the Saarland after a plebiscite. Weeks of propaganda led to the rearmament of German society and the remilitarization of the Rhineland.
Alliance of Italy, Germany, and Japan
Mussolini and Hitler formed the Axis powers. Germany and Japan signed the Anti-Comintern Pact against the USSR, later joined by Italy, Hungary, and Spain. This pact was met with appeasement from Great Britain, hoping to satisfy Nazi Germany’s expansionist aspirations.
Nazi Germany’s Expansionism
Annexations and Invasions
A referendum led to the Anschluss, incorporating Austria into Germany. The annexation of the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia followed, under the pretext of protecting the 3 million Germans living there. Germany also annexed Memel, while Italy occupied Albania. The invasion of Poland, triggered by Germany’s claim to the city of Danzig and the USSR’s refusal to allow passage, marked the beginning of World War II.
Japanese Aggression in Manchuria
Japan’s expansionist ambitions began with the invasion of Manchuria. This led to the formation of the puppet state of Manchukuo, marking the start of Japan’s policy of expansion and military buildup.
The Munich Conference and the Outbreak of War
Appeasement Fails
Great Britain, France, and Italy accepted Germany’s occupation of the Sudetenland in exchange for guarantees of no further aggression against Czechoslovakia. This act of appeasement ultimately failed to prevent war.
Axis Early Victories
Germany’s blitzkrieg invasion of Poland, based on speed and surprise, devastated the country’s infrastructure. In Northern Europe, Germany targeted countries like Sweden for its steel industry. Operation Barbarossa aimed to destroy the Bolshevik regime in Russia, enslave the Slavic population, and exploit the country’s resources. In North Africa, German troops initially advanced into Egypt, pushing back British forces, but were eventually defeated at El Alamein. Japan invaded China, aiming to establish a “New Order” in Asia.
The Turning of the Tide: Allied Victory
The United States Enters the War
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into the war, globalizing the conflict.
Key Allied Victories
- The Soviet victory at Stalingrad marked the beginning of Germany’s decline.
- The Allied victory at Guadalcanal signaled the turning point in the Pacific theater.
- The D-Day landings in Normandy, supported by Soviet advances in the East, opened a new front against Germany.
Germany’s Defeat and Surrender
Soviet troops advanced on Berlin, while Allied forces crossed the Rhine. Hitler committed suicide, and Mussolini was captured and executed. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki led to Japan’s surrender, ending the war.
Nazi Rule in Europe
Economic Exploitation and Genocide
Nazi Germany exploited the resources and populations of occupied Europe. The regime implemented forced labor and systematically looted occupied territories. The Nazis also carried out the systematic extermination of Jews in concentration camps like Dachau, Mauthausen, Ravensbrück, and Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Resistance Movements
Resistance movements fought against Nazi occupation across Europe, playing a crucial role in liberating countries like Italy, Yugoslavia, and France.
Consequences of the War
Demographic Impact
The war resulted in an estimated 60 million deaths, 35 million injuries, and 39 million displaced people.
Economic Impact
The war devastated European economies and infrastructure, leading to increased state intervention and a shift in global economic power.
Political Impact
Fascist regimes fell, and new borders were drawn, creating two major spheres of influence dominated by the United States and the Soviet Union. The United Nations was established to maintain peace and promote international cooperation.
Moral Impact
The war led to a questioning of traditional values. Human rights were systematically violated, and a culture of violence and terror prevailed. The concept of international law evolved, and the Nuremberg trials established the principle of accountability for crimes against humanity.
Post-War Conferences
Yalta Conference
The Allied leaders (Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin) met to discuss the post-war order, including the denazification and division of Germany.
Potsdam Conference
The Allied leaders addressed the future of Germany, which remained divided and under Allied control.
Paris Peace Treaties
Peace treaties were signed with Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Finland.