Causes and Key Figures of World War II

Study Notes

Causes of WW1

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: The immediate trigger for the war, leading to a chain reaction of alliances and military mobilizations.
Nationalism: Rising tensions between European powers, fueled by nationalist sentiments and competition for colonies and resources.
Imperialism: European powers' scramble for colonies and territories, leading to conflicts over territories and resources.
Militarism: The buildup of military forces and the glorification of war, creating an atmosphere in which war was seen as a viable solution to conflicts.
Alliances: Complex system of alliances between European powers, including the Triple Entente (France, Britain, Russia) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy).

Allied Victory

Turning Points:
- Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943): Soviet Union's decisive victory over Germany, marking a turning point on the Eastern Front.
- D-Day Invasion of Normandy (1944): Allied forces' successful landing in France, opening up a second front against Germany.
- Soviet Advance on Berlin (1945): Soviet forces' capture of Berlin, leading to Germany's surrender.
Key Allied Leaders:
- Winston Churchill (UK)
- Franklin D. Roosevelt (USA)
- Joseph Stalin (USSR)
Unconditional Surrender: Allied demand for Germany's unconditional surrender, leading to the country's capitulation in May 1945.

Axis Powers

The Axis Alliance: Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the Axis powers, united in their opposition to the Allied powers.
Key Axis Leaders:
- Adolf Hitler (Germany)
- Benito Mussolini (Italy)
- Hirohito (Japan)
Aggressive Expansion: The Axis powers' aggressive expansionist policies, including Germany's invasion of Poland, Italy's invasion of Ethiopia, and Japan's invasion of China.

Leaders

Winston Churchill: British Prime Minister, known for his leadership during WWII and his famous speeches, including the "We shall fight on the beaches" address.
Adolf Hitler: German Chancellor, leader of the Nazi Party, and architect of the Holocaust.
Benito Mussolini: Italian dictator, leader of the Fascist Party, and ally of Nazi Germany.
Joseph Stalin: Soviet leader, who played a crucial role in the Allied victory, but was also responsible for millions of deaths during his reign.

Description

Explore the events and leaders that shaped World War II, from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand to the Allied victory and the Axis powers' aggressive expansion. Learn about the key figures, including Churchill, Hitler, and Stalin, who played crucial roles in the war.