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Priyanka & Saadat

How did the events of WWII unfold?

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During World War II, totalitarianism spread as Nazi Germany and fascist Italy aggressively expanded their territories through military conquests. These regimes imposed strict ideological control through propaganda, which glorified their leaders and demonized opponents. Occupied territories were subjected to totalitarian rule through collaborationist governments or direct military occupation, enforcing repression and censorship to maintain control. For example, Mussolini played on the fears of the people and used them to convince his people to be in favor of his beliefs. For Germany, Hitler used the anger of the German people who were blamed for WWI to blame someone else for their misfortune.

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Gen Francisco Franco speaks to naval forces at Vinaroz, Spain, on July 26 1938. Photograph: AP

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The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) was a conflict between the Republicans, who supported a democratic government, and the Nationalists, led by General Francisco Franco, who sought to establish a fascist regime. The war began when Franco and other military leaders attempted a coup against the Spanish Republic. It drew international involvement, with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy supporting the Nationalists, while the Soviet Union and international volunteers backed the Republicans. The Nationalists ultimately won, leading to Franco's dictatorship.  The war forged a close relationship between the German and Italian dictators, who signed a formal alliance known as the Rome-Berlin Axis. After a loss of almost 500,000 lives.

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Personal Prejudices: Hitler had strong personal biases against Jews.

Anti-Semitic Environment: Anti-Semitism was widespread in Austria and Germany.

Scapegoating: Jews were blamed for Germany's defeat in WWI and economic issues.

Racial Ideology: Hitler believed Jews were inferior in a pseudo-scientific racial hierarchy.

Political Strategy: Anti-Semitism unified Nazi supporters and gained political backing.

Historical Biases: Long-standing religious and historical prejudices against Jews.

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Children liberated in the Auschwitz concentration camp, 1945

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The "Final Solution" was the Nazi plan during World War II to exterminate the Jewish population of Europe, leading to the Holocaust and the deaths of six million Jews. Hitler initiated this plan as a policy of genocide, aiming to systematically eliminate an entire group of people. It was based on the belief that Aryans were a superior race and that their strength and purity needed to be protected. To achieve this goal, Jews were forced into slavery and faced death in extermination camps like Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Sobibor. These camps were designed for mass murder, mainly using gas chambers. Jews initially lived in overcrowded ghettos before being transported in harsh conditions to these camps. The Einsatzgruppen, mobile units, also carried out mass shootings, especially in the Soviet Union, where victims often had to dig their own graves. Many Jews endured forced labor under severe conditions. Despite some collaboration with the Nazis, there were acts of resistance, like the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The Final Solution illustrates the extreme consequences of hatred and authoritarian rule.

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Churchill and Roosevelt signing the charter. 

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The Atlantic Charter was a pivotal document issued on August 14, 1941, during World War II. It was a joint declaration by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, outlining their vision and goals for a post-war world. The charter emphasized principles like self-determination, economic cooperation, disarmament, and freedom of the seas. It later laid the foundation for the United Nations.

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This photo, provided by the Robins Air Force Base History Office shows the USS Arizona coming under attack at Pearl Harbor. (Robins History Office Photo)

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Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941, was a surprise attack by Japan on the United States naval base in Hawaii. It caught the Americans off guard and caused extensive damage to their ships and planes. The attack resulted in the deaths of over 2,400 Americans and left more than 1,100 wounded. This event led directly to the United States entering World War II against Japan and its allies. It was a critical turning point in the war, drawing the U.S. into a global conflict that had already been raging for several years.

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Women in the Military and Military Production 

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Women in the Military and Military Production 

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Due to the overwhelming need for military, women’s forces began to form like WASP and WAAC. These had non combative positions that allowed men to join the front lines.

Domestically, women took over military production as well. In the United States, for example, the iconic "Rosie the Riveter" campaign symbolized the influx of women into industrial jobs previously dominated by men. Women joined the workforce as welders, electricians, mechanics, and assembly line workers, contributing significantly to the war effort.

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Left: A Japanese-American woman holds her sleeping daughter as they prepare to leave their home for an internment camp in 1942. Right: Japanese-Americans interned at the Santa Anita Assembly Center at the Santa Anita racetrack near Los Angeles in 1942.

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During World War II, after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, the U.S. government forced many Japanese Americans into internment camps. This happened because there were fears that some might be spies or sabotage efforts against the United States, even though there was little evidence to support this. Over 120,000 people, mostly of Japanese descent, including American citizens, were relocated from the West Coast to camps in more inland areas. These camps were surrounded by fences and guarded by soldiers, and the people held there had limited freedoms. Later investigations showed that there was no real military need for internment, making it a harsh example of how wartime fears and prejudice can affect people's rights and freedoms.

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The Battle of Stalingrad, fought from August 23, 1942, to February 2, 1943, during World War II, was one of the largest and deadliest battles in history. It took place in the city of Stalingrad in the Soviet Union, between Nazi Germany and its allies against the Soviet Union. The battle marked a turning point in the war, as it ended with a decisive Soviet victory.

The German Army came confident assuming they were going to win, but when the Soviets won hope came to the allies. The Soviets lost a lot of troops, yet their victory made it worth it as they began to move in on Germany after.

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The Italian Campaign in World War II lasted from 1943 to 1945. It was a series of battles between Allied and Axis forces in Italy. The Allies wanted to weaken Italy and create a new front against Nazi Germany. They fought tough battles like at Monte Cassino and Anzio, aiming to gain ground despite Italy's rough terrain and strong German resistance. By May 1945, the Allies had captured northern Italy and the German forces there surrendered. This campaign was crucial in helping the Allies win the war in Europe.

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This image shows the path that the US armies took toward Japan. 

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Island Hopping was a military strategy for the US to isolate and neutralize Japanese strongholds. Island hopping was a highly effective strategy in the Pacific campaign, allowing Allied forces to systematically weaken Japan's defensive positions while advancing steadily towards the Japanese home islands. It reduced the need for direct confrontations with heavily fortified positions and contributed to the eventual Allied victory in the Pacific theater of World War II.

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A demolition crew from the 6th Marine Division watches dynamite charges explode and destroy a Japanese cave. Okinawa, May 1945. Photograph Courtesy of the National Archives & Records Administration

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The Battle of Okinawa, fought from April to June 1945, was a major conflict between Allied forces and the Japanese Empire during World War II. It was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theater and aimed to secure the island of Okinawa as a strategic base for the planned invasion of mainland Japan. The battle was marked by intense combat on land, sea, and air, with Allied forces facing fierce Japanese resistance. Civilians on Okinawa endured severe hardships, and the battle resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Ultimately, the Allies gained control of Okinawa by June 1945, but the high human cost and the ferocity of the fighting foreshadowed the challenges ahead for the planned invasion of Japan itself.

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The Manhattan Project and Hiroshima and Nagasaki 

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The Manhattan Project and Hiroshima and Nagasaki 

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The Manhattan Project was a top-secret research and development program undertaken by the United States during World War II to produce the first atomic bombs. It was initiated in 1942 and led by the United States with contributions from the United Kingdom and Canada. The project's primary goal was to harness nuclear fission to create powerful weapons that could potentially end the war more swiftly. This research was led by Oppenheimer.

On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb named "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, on August 9, 1945, another atomic bomb named "Fat Man" was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. These bombings resulted in catastrophic destruction and loss of life, causing immediate deaths and long-term health effects due to radiation exposure. The bombings resulted in unnecessary civilian casualties and ushered in the nuclear age, raising ethical and humanitarian concerns about the use of nuclear weapons.

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The Nuremberg Trials were important court proceedings held after World War II to punish Nazi leaders for their roles in the Holocaust and other war crimes. Taking place in Nuremberg, Germany, from 1945 to 1946, these trials focused on major figures like Hermann Goring and Rudolf Hess, charging them with crimes against humanity and war crimes. The trials introduced new legal concepts, including the idea that individuals could be held accountable for atrocities committed under orders from higher authorities. This set a precedent for future international trials and emphasized the importance of justice and accountability for wartime actions. The Nuremberg Trials aimed not only to bring justice to the victims of Nazi persecution but also to establish principles of international law to prevent such atrocities in the future.

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World War II had a big economic impact on the United States. Before the war, the country was recovering from the Great Depression, which caused a lot of unemployment and hardship. During the war, though, the U.S. economy grew a lot because of all the factories making military stuff like weapons and supplies. This created many jobs and boosted industries. The government also spent a lot on the war effort, which helped the economy even more. After the war, the United States became really strong economically, selling more things to other countries, expanding industries, and developing new technologies that helped the country grow even more.

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World War 2 was a war that was caused by dictators. The spread of totalitarianism allowed for bad people like Hitler and Mussolini to spread their ideas and essentially spark a war. I also thought it was interesting how effectively Hitler’s hate speech worked. The German people wanted someone to blame for their misfortune and Hitler was there to give it to them. The manipulation almost worked too well.

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Michal. “The Holocaust: The National WWII Museum: New Orleans.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, The National World War II Museum, 7 May 2024, www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/holocaust.

“The Nuremberg Trials, 70 Years Later.” National Constitution Center – Constitutioncenter.Org, constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-nuremberg-trials-70-years-later. Accessed 10 July 2024.

“The Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, August 1945.” National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, www.archives.gov/news/topics/hiroshima-nagasaki-75. Accessed 10 July 2024.

“Battle of Okinawa: Date, Significance & Who Won - History.” History.Com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa. Accessed 10 July 2024.