Was the Second World War a repeat of the First?

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infoWhy this? Comparing the world wars reveals both continuities in global, industrialised warfare and important differences in tactics, ideology, civilian mobilisation, and destructive power. Studying Allied victory and the post-war settlement also explains the changed balance of power, the creation of the United Nations, and the beginnings of the Cold War.

scheduleWhy now? This unit follows the First World War so that its aftermath can be examined as part of the context for renewed conflict in 1939. It also provides the wartime setting required for the next enquiry into the Holocaust and establishes the emergence of Cold War divisions.

World War II started in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland.
Britain and France declared war on Germany shortly after Germany invaded Poland.
Germany used Blitzkrieg tactics, which were fast, powerful attacks with tanks, aeroplanes, and paratroopers.
By 1940, Germany had taken over much of Western Europe, including France.
Britain continued the war in 1940 with substantial support from the British Empire, Commonwealth, and Allied forces, and victory in the Battle of Britain involved RAF pilots, radar, the air-defence system, aircraft production, and German strategic errors.
Winston Churchill was Britain's Prime Minister during most of the war.
The Blitz was Germany's bombing campaign against British cities.
In Britain, people's efforts to support the war were known as the Home Front.
Many women in Britain took jobs making munitions and vehicles for the war.
There was rationing in Britain due to food shortages from British ships being sunk.
Many men and boys who were too young or too old for the armed forces joined Local Defence Volunteer units, later known as the Home Guard, to guard against invasion.
In 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union (Russia).
In December 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, leading to America joining the war.
The Holocaust happened during the war; the Nazis murdered around 6 million Jewish people, as well as other groups.
D-Day (6 June 1944) was when Allied troops invaded France to push Germany back.
Germany surrendered in May 1945; this is called VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).
In August 1945, America dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Japan surrendered, ending World War II.
After the war, tensions grew between America and the Soviet Union; this was the start of the Cold War.
The world was divided into capitalist countries, led by the USA, and communist countries, led by the USSR.
Germany was divided into four zones controlled by Britain, France, the USA, and the USSR.
Berlin, the capital city, was also divided, even though it was inside the Soviet zone.
The United Nations (UN) was set up to help keep peace after the war.
In 1947, America started the Marshall Plan, giving money to help rebuild European countries to stop the spread of communism.
The Iron Curtain was a term used to describe the divide between communist Eastern Europe and capitalist Western Europe.
In 1948, the Soviet Union blocked roads and railways into West Berlin; this was the start of the Berlin Blockade.
Britain and America flew in supplies to West Berlin during the Berlin Airlift.
The Berlin Airlift (1948–49) lasted nearly a year and was a success for the West.
The Cold War was not a direct military war but a time of political tension, spying, and threats between the two sides.

rocket_launchYou must be able to

Describe the meaning of key words related to the Second World War, such as 'Blitzkrieg', 'Rationing', and 'Blitz'.
Name the key British and international events that took place during the Second World War.
Explain how the war was fought and why the Allies were victorious in the Second World War.
Analyse sources to determine what they reveal about both civilian and military experiences during the Second World War.
Evaluate the most significant factors for the Allied victory in the Second World War and the consequences of the war, including the early events of the Cold War.

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