World War II Final
3. 20th Century Geopolitics
"The hourglass": War brought about a revolution in world power. Narrows down the 6 nation (France, Britain, America, Germany, Italy, Japan?) multipolar order to just a competition between communism and liberal capitalism. Since then, the world has diversified again and slowly returning to multipolar order.
Three reasons for the cultural prohibition on women in combat
1) Men thought women were physically and mentally weaker, 2) women were predisposed to be nurturers, and 3) women and men together in the army would cause widespread fornication
Niels Bohr
A Swedish scientist who informed Szilard in 1939 that two German physicists had discovered nuclear fission in the element uranium, the element Szilard had been searching for to be the foundation for his nuclear chain reaction.
The World Set Free
A book written by H.G. Wells in 1913 who imagined a world with atomic weapons and nuclear warfare; this story directly affected Leo Szilard as he never let the ideas of atomic weapons theories leave his mind after reading it
H.G. Wells
A science-fiction author who justifiably scared society by allowing them to realize possible realities such as the reality of nuclear warfare in his novel, The World Set Free
Alamgordo
A small, deserted location in New Mexico where the first atomic bomb was tested; observers watched from 25 miles away
Kharkov
After Stalingrad the Germans went back on the offensive, led by Erich von Manstein (one of most talented generals). He trapped and launched attack on red army at Kharkov. Captured Kharkov and Belgorod, large german win.
66. Hiroshima
Americans drop nuclear bomb on August 6, 1945. Kill 75,000 people, 100,000 injured, many die later. Strategic decision by the US to enact enough bloodshed in dropping this bomb that Japan would end stubborn refusal to negotiate. Led to Japan's surrender and peace signing and the end of the war in the Pacific. Exemplified total war in which technological advancements meant no one was safe. One of the central issues of WWII's moral grey.
Bernard Montgomery
British General; had reputation that he would do whatever he could to protect his men from unnecessary harm (thus men knew that when they fought there was a purpose); General at El Alamein (where he won)
77. "Some chicken! Some neck!"
Churchill mocking the German claim to wring Britain's neck like a chicken. Shows the valor and bravery of RAF and British troops, and the importance of their victory in salvage hope for the Allies. More importantly, captures national pride and heightened morale of Britain after bombing—more determined to win, even though Hitler was convinced bombing would kill their morale.
81. "Never before in the field of human conflict have so many owed so much to so few"
Churchill's tribute to the RAF
17. Big Three Leaders
Churchill, Stalin & FDR
113. Malaysian Campaign
Commander Tomoyuku Yamashita of the 25th division (only 36,000 men in comparison to Percival's) was told to attack Malaysia and then Singapore. His men were well trained. Attacked the Malaysian Coast on December 10, 1941. Percival had to disperse his defensive troops. Japanese sink the Prince of Wales, infiltrate behind British lines through the jungle and attack from both sides. British were outmaneuvered and are forced to retreat. They failed to disable their air bases, which gave air support for the Japanese versus the retreating British heading towards Singapore.
104. Frank Falla
Created GUNS (Guernsey Underground News Service) to resist German occupation. Caught and deported to Nazi prison camp.
Operation Overlord
D-Day, Allied invasion of Normandy for launching the true second front that Stalin had asked for, for so long; marked the beginning of taking back France and pushing the Nazis back to Germany. Launched 6 June 1944, the amphibious assault on the beaches of Normandy. Prepared 2 million men, over 6,000 ships, and 12,000 aircraft.
53. Erwin Rommel
DEFINITION 1: German general, sent by Hitler to Northern Africa in 1941 to lead the Afrika Corps. Involved in a back and forth movement, chases British back to Egypt, but they rally and push him back. 1942 offensive looks successful, but desperate British have the last stand at El Alamein. DEFINITION 2: Leader of the German divisions in Northern Africa. Stalled at El Alamein, stalemate. Is counterattacked by British and pushed back to Tunisia.
110. Arthur Percival
English General commanding 130,000 men at Singapore. Lacked initiative, too overconfident in regards to the Japanese. Did not train his men in jungle warfare.
21. Yalta Conference
February 1945 in Crimea. Stalin + FDR + Churchill. Here they decided the future vision of Europe. Roosevelt was very sick & the war clearly took a toll on him. He let Russia "have" Eastern Europe and did not put up much of a fight. This was not necessarily decided by FDR - the Red Army was already on the ground in these countries & he knew he needed to work with the USSR in order to get the UN
75. Luftwaffe
German Air force, led by Goering. Bombing never crippled Britain, attacks on air fields and air craft factories would have won the battle.
61. Friedrich Paulus
German Field Marshall at Stalingrad. Advised Hitler to make a calculated retreat to avoid encirclement. Out of hubris, Hitler ignores the advice, leading to the disastrous German defeat at the hands of the Soviets. He was the first German field Marshall to be taken in combat. Hitler wanted Paulus to kill himself, as no Marshall has ever been captured under German eyes. Paulus ignored this and did what he wanted.
32. Panzer
German armored fighting vehicle divisions, decisive in the invasion of Poland. These units (6 out of 63) arrived by train and vehicle. They were critical to the success of the Blitzkrieg. Under Guderian's leadership, Germany built a powerful panzer force.
39. Hochdruckpumpe
German artillery weapon. Also known as the V-3, high-pressure pump, 50 mile range (Holland, French coast to London). V stood for weapons of revenge.
34. Messerschmitt 109
German fighter plane introduced in 1937, easily overcame Stalin's fighter planes. World's first jet fighter and arguably the best fighter plan, faster than the Mustang. Staple of the Luftwaffe.
45. Panther Tank
German tank. Better than the Sherman tank.
93. Juan Pujol
He wanted to be a spy for the British because he hated Nazism, but at that point the Brits didn't trust him. He was originally from Spain. Then, he gained Germany's trust and then became a double agent for Britain. He fabricated reports, recruited a fictitious network of spies, etc. to impress the Germans, but at the same time was helping Britain. In 1942 they said yes.
97. JN-25
Japanese navy code
Little Boy
Name of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Carried on the enola gay. explosion of uranium Nuclear fission used to set it off.
105. Norman Le Brocq
Opposed occupation, provided aid and support to slave workers brought over by Germans (Channel Islands)
47. Phony War
Summer of 1939, no battles, Germans waiting on weather. Tense quiet on the border. Germans finally attack Denmark and Norway.
89. Quantitative sigint
Volume of communication between two points, no decryption necessary. Clearly something was going on in an area. Variation of Huff-Duff and sigint: high frequency direction finding, track where message coming from and where it is going through triangulation. Tells you in where time where a sub was. This way it could either be sunk or forced to stay underwater longer.
29. Blitzkrieg
armored assaults under Guderian. Lightning war, a term coined by the French. Concentrating most effort at one spot on line, coupled with air assault. Associated with a series of quick and decisive battles to cripple the other side and break through their lines before they had the chance to mobilize. Storm troopers are spread out to raise havoc.
44. Sir Robert Watson Watt
developed radar in the 1930s.
Primary Combat role of British women in the war
hey were held in high respect, both feeling and proving that they earned it; they worked in radar communication towers and anti-aircraft batteries in particular
109. Weenie Thesis
idea that under Napoleon, the French had been strong, but that they suffered a role reversal in WWII. Theory that the quick fall of France was a result of their lack of courage and bravery. But this is flawed- French fought well when under good leadership, and fought poorly when not- same as the rest of the countries.
48. Ardennes
impassable, but used by Germans for a surprise attack (Blitzkreig) on France.
LST
landing ship tank; swimming version of the Sherman tank, basically a tank with a tutu that allowed it to stay afloat, were very successful in the D-Day invasion, ranged in sizes
11. The danger of moral oversimplification
the stakes of the war were high in terms of morality and valor. Makes the war a deeply appealing subject. Therefore we must be extra careful with the approach of the "good" war and apply more scrutiny. Must ask questions- what do we know? How do we know it? How do we know its true?
12. The Importance of moral grey areas in a thriving democracy
the war can seem straightforward: they attacked us, we did not torture POWs or local populations, we liberated genocide camps that they created. But this is a mistake- we must recognize the bad things we did as well. No one's hands are particularly clean. Grey areas: long-term responsibility for the pacific war, bystanders, civilian bombing, shotgun wedding, resistance vs. collaboration, kamikazes, atomic bomb, racism, Nuremberg, Chinese war effort. Looking at grey areas is crucial to democracy- depends on compromise and common ground, toleration of different views. Black and white is colors of fanaticism.
Douglas MacArthur
"Doug-out-Doug", self-obsessed, he had the mess up at Corregidor. Thought he was a military genius. Was in charge of the Philippines.
Two reasons why Germany's situation after July 1943 was very bad
1. Battle of Kursk—Germans wanted to avoid this battle of attrition against a stronger resourced nation (Soviets had better production because there factories not hit by bombs. German factories were under air bombardment; their production had peaked.) 2. July 8—eastern front and then western front opened, Hitler placed German in war of 2 fronts= war of attrition that Germans knew, from WWI, was very bad
7 preconditions for D-Day
1. surprise (Pas de Calais); 2. launch major offensives simultaneously (strike at eastern front, Italy, and France); 3. control the air (aerial bombings and aerial support); 4. hamper enemy transport (hit northern French coast prior to invasion, destroying all supply, rail, lines, got Free French involved too); 5. effective amphibious attacks (LST, mulberries); 6. leadership (Montgomery and Eisenhower working together); 7. overwhelming force (2M men of the move, 6483 ships, 12,000 aircraft)
Cultural impact of WWII on ideas of race and progress
1.race, WWII gives racism a bad name, prior to WWII, it was acceptable by higher classes to be racists; Hitler shows the logical consequences of racism, genocide, because if people are inferior then why should they be around, which Hitler takes to the extreme; sense this time, racism as been on the defensive; 2. progress - which died with Auschwitz and Hiroshima and their evils; in the 18th century there was an enlightenment vision or ideal that mankind kept progressing, but after the cruelty and evils of WWII's destruction this notion died
49. Dunkirk
1940. evacuation during Battle of France. After surprise attack, French were driven back to this small pocket on the coast of the English Channel. British frantically evacuate, loose artillery. It was improvised and extraordinary, Churchill used all available vessels, including civilian.
52. Stalingrad
1942-1943. Turning point in war. Zhukov vs. Paulus. Russians win. After failures in Barbarossa. pivotal point in the war, slows the German offensive. Neither side can afford to lose, more Russians die in defense than all US soldiers throughout the entire war. Zhukov wants to encircle Germans, Paulus knows this and asks Hitler for a tactical retreat that he refuses. German divisions captured. 1st major German defeat= morale boost for allies, similar to Midway. Russians now slowly gain momentum despite more serious German attacks. Turning point in the eastern front
Occupation zones of Germany
4 occupation zones: US, Great Britain, France, Russia. Berlin was in the middle of Russia's part, and they were cruel to the occupants in their section. Other 3 occupiers were generous to the occupants, and it became West vs East Germany. June 1948: Western allies introduced a new, uniform currency and it became much stronger than its eastern part.
The Sullivan Brothers
5 brothers who all joined navy together, somehow managed to train together and deploy on the USS Juneau together, all 5 died after the ship exploded. Parents were not told about deaths for 3 months.
British soldiers write letters home
5 different letters read in class. not sure what the point of this ID is. One guy wrote to his wife about how its foolish to fight for the nation (nationalism = brutality), fighting for the destruction of hate and freedom for all men. another wrote to ex girlfriend that it was the right move not to marry her. one wrote to parents about a girl who was obsessed with him. another was to mom about high spirits of france, GB happy to have not been invaded, left normandy with cigarettes and chocolate, money means nothing now. last one wrote to mom about how he might die the next day, nothing is worth fighting for except parents and friends, remember me and dont cry.
Mohammad Mossadegh
: Mohammed Mossadegh was a patriotic prime minister that was elected. He defended Iranian oil and raised the prices. CIA deposed Mossadegh and installed the Shah of Iran, a brutal dictator whose regime went on for years just to keep oil prices low. SAVAK was the Shah's regime. His regime lasted until the Theocracy was installed in 1979.
Lydia Livak
A Soviet pilot ace who shot down nine German planes in twelve missions; was eventually killed when eight German planes engaged her after recognizing her plane
Leo Szilard
A genius scientist who created the idea of the atomic bomb; he, being Jewish, evacuated Germany before Holocaust began; he was famous for being eccentric but very lazy; had he carried through on many of his genius ideas, he would be considered the Edison of the 20th century; oddly, he was an idealist and pacifist; he created the nightmare he feared most. Had the original patent about the nuclear chain reaction from spilitting the atoms of an unknown element that bothered him greatly—locked up idea with British admiralty.
Soviet 588th Night Bombers
A group of highly successful female Soviet pilots; very talented and badly damaged the Germans, who referred to them as the "Night Witches"
Fingerspitzengefuhl
A historian said Rommel had this, literally means feeling at tips of finger---thus Rommel's battle instincts were right on, he was always bold and told him men to never be afraid of the unorthodox
Marlene Dietrich
A man at war missed his girlfriend so much he wrote a son called "Lili Marlene" and in 1939 Lala Anderson recorded it. A few years later, Marlene Dietrich made it big after she recorded it in 1943 in both English and German sang it. The song was about universal emotions. It's a deeper human reality and this song was able to tap into it. It underscored the common humanity of the people in the fight. Just before going into battle to shoot each other, sometimes they were all singing the same song. It became the uncontested anthem of WWII. Dietrich herself was interesting. She had been born in berlin in 1901, started her career as an actress. But in the 30s she moved to Hollywood. She volunteered for the US war services. She traveled among the GIs and tried to sell war bonds for the US.
78. Karl Doenitz
Admiral, head of the German submarine force. Largely responsible for the mass increase in u-boat production (wanted 300 at his command). Proved to be the most effective military leader in all of the Nazi army, and tactically prowess was a huge reason the U-boats were so successful in their destruction of merchant ships. So impressive that he was nominated to succeed Hitler as the Fuhrer.
Social impact of WWII
African American and women's movements got a huge boost with WWII, as exemplified in the film The Homefront; the British class structure breaks down, aristocrats and commoners are driven together, and this erosion is readily visible as Churchill is defeated
46. Soviet-Finnish War
After the attack on Poland, the Soviets attack the Finns in 1939. The Finns fight heroically and were well trained and equipped for winter warfare. Hitler thinks that the Red Army is overrated, but the Finns succumb to superior powers in 1940.
60. Operation Torch
Allied amphibious landing in November 1942 through Morocco and Algeria to open up a second front in Africa. Rommel has British at El Alamein, so allies want to attack Africa from another side and open up somewhat of a second front. This initiative was launched in November 1942. Was an amphibious landing in Algeria and Morocco by Eisenhower, less defended than western Europe, so was a testing ground. Move into Tunisia. Montgomery and the British break through Rommel's line. British begin a slow westward movement, squeezing Rommel until May 1943, when he is entirely driven out. Allies now control southern Mediterranean shores.
Anthony McAuliffe
American General at Bastogne, example of knowing when to hang tough and when to retreat. Hanging tough was brave and reasonable. Refused to surrender despite surrounding of forces for knew that the location was very important, had supplies and that Patton was coming to reinforce. Was a great leader because he knew when to dig in v. retreat.
37. P-51B Mustang
American long-range fighter plan created in 1944. Spitfire engine combined with a North American airframe= best fighter plane of the entire war. Fast and agile, increased range by putting fuel-filled drop tanks under wing for the return journey, accompanied bombers to Berlin and back= significant difference in bombing. Tanks were cardboard because metal was too important at the time.
Roise the Riveter
An American propaganda poster urging women to assist and do their part in the war effort; the poster read "We Can Do It." : Women filled empty factory jobs and by May 1943 the number of women in the workforce had doubled. By 1945 16 million women were working and 2 million were working directly on defense.
Nancy Wake
An Australian woman who spoke French; she led many anti-Nazi attacks in central France during the "Maquis" (French Resisitance). : One of 39 women in the French branch of the SOE, most highly decorated women on the allied side.
57. Coral Sea
Battle in May 1942. Partly a stalemate, but US held on, surface ships did not exchange a single shot for the first time in history. First time that Japanese navy had been stopped. Showed the world the power of the aircraft carrier in naval warfare.
14. The pharmacy of Sebastiano Tomatis
Bess grandfather, 100% an Italian fascist, became the mayor of a small town in Italy and also was a pharmacist. During the war in Italy aspirin bottles had notes in them like: We the German people stand with you, everyone is being unfair to Italy but we support you
27. Maginot Line
Between France and Germany, line of fortification, built in the 1930s, and was extremely expensive. This was a place that French knew the Germans would invade.
Spheres of influence
Bipolar order where they both claim to have superior forms of life and both knew it was important to reaach based their borders; Percentages Agreement" of 1944 which dived sphere of influence; ex. Greece (British had 90% thus their Communist Revolution failed)
Sophie's Choice, by William Styron
Book/movie based on 1st hand accounts of Holocaust survivors; there is a scene of a woman having to choose which of her 2 children must die---this is a prime example of how Germans thrived off watching others in pain (the soldier deliberately made this personal); raises questions about our species and ability to inflict such unnecessary cruelty. Begs the question- how does mankind recover from these atrocities?
92. John Cairncross
Brit who spied for the Soviets, infiltrated Bletchley Park. Got into Hut-6 which housed the most secret information.
73. Hawker Sibley Hurricane
British fighter employed heavily in the RAF in the Battle of Britain in 1940. Counterpart of the Luftwaffe Messerschmitt 109. Proved instrumental in tandem with the RAF spitfire in winning the Battle of Britain and defeating the Luftwaffe's bombing raid on London. Spitfire was always thought more effective, until Hurricane proved extremely important in Battle of Britain.
118. Tobruk
British pushed back here by Rommel, fortify the Gazala line here and use all efforts. Captured by Rommel the day after Bir Hakeim but the two weeks delay gives much needed breathing time to the British.
DARPA
Defense Advanced Research Project: agency of the US government,made in 1988 in response to Sputnik. Helps develop advanced tech. mission is to maintain technology superiority of the US, research bridge between fundamental something or other and the military. Basically and advanced tech stuff is something they helped make. Help advancing the super soldier of tomorrow.
Tradeoff between security and freedom
Do you give government power so you can feel secure and protected or do you choose to be free but vulnerable to what any one individual/group might do, smaller threats become real
54. El Alamein
Egyptian city, desperate last stand for the British in North Africa. At the edge of the Suez Canal, so dangerous location for the British. British were successful in repulsing the Axis forces, assuring that control of the Middle East was out of Axis hands.
George C. Marshall
FDR and Truman's chief of staff, in the late summer of 1942 thought it was very problematic that the Allies would loose, however didn't so put together the Marshall Plan, which provided billions of dollars of economic aid to Europe after the war
FUSAG
First United States Army Group, mock army, under the leadership of General Patton, established to deceive the Germans and make them think that we were going to launch our Allied invasion at Pas de Calais.
55. Guadalcanal
First major offensive against Japan by the US. US invade on August 6th, 1942. Beginning of island hopping, which meant prying Japan loose one island at a time. Represented the change from Japanese aggression to return of the Pacific to America
31. Heinz Guderian
German General who led the blitzkriegs, often credited as the "father." Defeated at Kursk. Ardent follower of Hitler and despite their close relationship, Hitler dismissed Guderian from office after the General failed to repeat earlier successes.
116. Afrika Corps
German contingent led by Rommel in Northern Africa. Hitler had only limited resources to bail out the Italians. Panzer army. Pushed British back to Tobruk
30. Stuka
German dive-bombers used in WWII. Critical to the success of the Luftwaffe and the Blitzkrieg. Used wailing sirens during attacks, which contributed to the terror and panic of air strikes. But not agile, kind of slow, and was weak in defense.
Walter Model
German general at Battle of Kursk, he began in South
Erich von Manstein
German general at battle of Kursk, he planned the Soviet encirclement in city of Kharkov, Plan A: initially wanted to have a fake retreat that would spilt Soviet forces along Crimea River in order to encircle them [Hitler refused to allow this because of his racist thinking]; Plan B: Operation Citadel; day of battle he was in North
95. Klaus Fuchs
German physicist, communist used by the Soviets to infiltrate the Manhattan Project. He was apart of the Canadian group of scientist. Was only able to pass information at rare intervals. In 1945, gave atomic technically data on how to build an atomic bomb, which sped up the Soviet atomic bomb effort by years. When Stalin was told of the American bomb at Potsdam he secretly already had this information.
1. Otto Hahn and Lise Meitner
German scientists who discovered artificial inducement, used uranium for nuclear fission, but still needed a few years to develop the bomb
76. U-Boat
German submarines, sank ¼ of British merchant ships. Both Germans and British surprised at success of subs where Luftwaffe had failed. Fleet was improvised. Primarily employed in the Battle of the Atlantic from 1939 to 1943. Attacked in wolf packs. Greatly delayed war and hindered Allied effort by reducing Britain and Soviet Union supplies, and in not letting the US establish a second front.
Siege of Leningrad
Germans circled Leningrad by november '41 and cut off the city. Started pounding city with artillery, people in city ran out of food and fuel, burned all trees, books, and city records for fuel. Rations were 700 calories for workers and 400 calories for non workers. People starved and at its height 3,500 people died per day but still did not give up. ate all pets, rats, bark, leather covers from books for 2.5 years. siege lifted in 1944 after 900 days and 1.1 million dead. THIS IS THE CRAZIEST SHIT
101. Model Occupation
Germans occupied the Channel Islands from 1940-1945 (most of the war). Occupiers were gentle with the islanders because they thought they would easily defeat the British. Island authorities adopted a similar attitude, giving rise to accusations of collaboration. However, as time progressed the situation grew gradually worse, ending in near starvation for both occupied and occupiers during the winter of 1944-45.
23. Wartime relations between Germany and Italy
Germans thinks of themselves as racially superior to the Italians. Hitler likes Mussolini but the countries are too different to work well together. Asprin bottles are an example of Germany trying to convince Italy that they were on their side. Italians felt greater kinship with Great Britain and the US. Germany treated them as a JR partner. Italy was angry with Great Britain and France over the League of Nations but not necessarily ready to go war. They were worried they were on the wrong side and never fully adopted German antisemitism.
24. Wartime relations between Germany and Japan
Germany thinks they are racially superior to the Japanese. Tell the Japanese they can be superior in Asia. Germany would not share military secrets with Japan and Japan would not attack India for Germany. Japan also had a non-aggression pact with USSR which did not ease relations with Germany. US would send USSR supplies through Lend Lease and Japan would not shoot them down because of non agression pact. Looking out for own interests instead of for the alliance. Lots of racial tension.
16. "Overpaid, Over-Sexed, and Over Here"
Great Britain saying referring to the Americans they were now working with in the military. They did have a profound sense of gratitude towards the US, had a very effective interwoven fighting effort but this quote is an example of some tensions
Dmitri Shortakovich
He is one of the greatest Russian composers of the 20th century. He was a communist. Stalin banned his music. It was too avant garde. It was music for the average worker. He was born in St. Petersburg in 1906 and he lived there his whole life.
Tocqueville's prophecy of 1830
He said there would be 2 rival powers and they would come to be rivals regardless of their governments; glimpse at geopolitics; trajectory of their future. The two powers were on a collision course regardless of their ideology, although this did finally come into play following the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917.
6. "Jewish Science"
Hitler considered nuclear science to be Jewish science because of Einstein's involvement. Instead he was focused on rockets and jets. Gave nuclear science a mid-level priority, which originally caused a set back for the Germans.
Tiger Tank
Huge German tank whose large guns were highly accurate at distances over 1,000 yards. Platform for the single most successful German artillery (88 mm gun—great range)
Red Army Rapes in Germany, 1945
In 1945, 2 million German women of all ages were raped by Soviet Union Soldiers traveling inward toward Berlin; the Soviet soldiers saw it as revenge for the atrocities the Nazis had committed on the Russian people
62. Kursk
Involves 3600 Soviet tanks= largest tank battle in history, titanic clash of two industrials giants. Continues battle after battle for four weeks (5 weeks?). July 1943. Halts German offensive across the eastern front.
63. Enrico Fermi
Italian physicist, fled because of his Jewish wife and Germany copycat laws. He was in charge of Manhattan Project at Chicago Center- theoretical and engineering. Produced the plutonium for Nagasaki.
"Kilroy was here"
James Kilroy worked in the Bethlehem shipyard in Quincy. James Kilroy's job was to inspect ships as they were being built and make sure everything had been done right with the riveting and paneling. Everywhere he went he left a chalk scrawl "Kilroy was here." When the sailors and soldiers got on the ship, there were these drawings everywhere on the ship. Nobody knew who he was but his inscription was everywhere. Once they were out at sea soldiers began writing these 3 little words wherever they went. It just became something you did when you got to a new place. Latrines were favorite spots for this as well as trains, walls, jeeps, weapons, etc. By 1945 he was all over the world, in every place GIs had been. Josef Stalin at the Potsdam conference with the pressing question who on earth is this Kilroy? He's officially inscribed on the WWII monument in DC.
19. Casablanca Conference
January 1943 in Morocco. FDR + Churchill + 2 french leaders. Decide they will only accept an unconditional surrender with no negotiation (do not want a repeat of WWI which perpetuated the Stab in the Back Myth)
Isoroku Yamamoto
Japanese General who planned Pearl Harbor attack; he mistakenly believed that if the Japs destroyed US power in Pacific it would delay a counterattack and demoralize US people into refusing to challenge Japanese aggression
Kursk
July 5-12, 1943; Germans v. Soviets, Manstein v. Zhukov, after battle of Stalingrad and summer thaw, Germans on the offense and Soviets had a counterattack planned, 2 largest military forces to square off ever with evenly matched forces; Soviet victory; drastically changed course of war- the moment that Germany lost the war, lost initiative, now mostly in a retreat, defensive.
56. Midway
June 1942, turning point in the Pacific war. Response to american doolittle air raid in tokyo. American cryptographers warned of Japanese attack. American win, stunning damage to Japanese fleet. 4 Japanese carriers lost, now the Japanese were on the defensive. When the US bombed Tokyo in the Doolittle Raid, inspired Japan to seal decision to fight at Midway. Doolittle raid successfully moved the Japanese towards midway. US was outgunned 3:1, but wins anyway, partially due to luck but also heroism and good leadership. Weapons and good use of them was why the Allies won the war.
64. Normandy
June 6, 1944, D-Day beaches in France. Finally, a real second front. Begins the movement across France to Germany.
Comfort Women
Korean women who the Japanese forced into prostitution for the Japanese soldiers shortly after they invaded Korea
65. Battle of the Bulge
Last strong counter attack in the West by the Germans. December 1944 in the Ardennes forest. US falls back at surprise German attack, and it seems that they may reach the coast, but Americans rally, cut of Axis supply lines, and advance into Germany.
72. Dornier 17
Luftwaffe light bomber employed heavily as strategic bomber in the Battle of Britain in 1940. Opposed by Spitfire and Hawker Sibley Hurricane. Fast bomber that had a slim frame, so it could outrun and avoid enemy fighters. It handled well at low altitudes and was thus effective at surprise attacks.
71. Heinkel 111
Luftwaffe medium bomber employed heavily in the Battle of Britain in 1940. Opposed by Spitfire and Hawker Sibley Hurricane. Primary bomber of Luftwaffe in early stages of war, but its weaknesses (weak armor, slow, and bad maneuverability) were exposed in the Battle of Britain and it became more and more obsolete as war progressed
American-imposed reforms in postwar Japan
MacArthur introduced a new democratic constitution similar to the US, the woman's right to vote, land reform, and a new educational system that stayed in tact after MacArthur left in 1952.
90. Enigma
Machine like typewriter used by the Germans to encrypt radio messages. The specific codes for words and letters were changed everyday, and were thus very difficult to decode. The Germans believed this machine to be unbeatable. Eventually decrypting codes provided the information regarding both the British and American war against Germany as well as the Russian war with Germany in the east.
86. Colossus
Machine to solve enigma, was continuously improved to work faster, ancestor to the modern PC. Added use by RAF and by the navy
Operation Citadel
Manstein wants to trap the red army in the Crimea by pretending to flee and then attacking. Hitler: no, germans don't run from slavs ever. Operation Citadel was plan B - battle at Kursk. everyone knew it would be at Kursk based on the map. 2 largest military forces that have ever squared off.
Corregidor
May 6, 1942 Japs bombed Philippines and all of the US planes in a clump thus they were easy to destroy; this could have been avoided by MacArthur because he did nothing for 10 hrs after Pearl Harbor; he did not stock pile food or supplies, MacArthur ran away from Corregidor and left Wainwright in charge (who was later forced to surrender on May 6)
Iran, 1953
Mohammed Mossadegh was a patriotic prime minister that was elected. He defended Iranian oil and raised the prices. CIA deposed Mossadegh and installed the Shah of Iran, a brutal dictator whose regime went on for years just to keep oil prices low. SAVAK was the Shah's regime. His regime lasted until the Theocracy was installed in 1979.
91. "Iron fish"
Navajos needed to adapt their own language since they did not have the words for modern warfare necessary. Used this term to describe submarines. Created a new standardized vocabulary outside of the norm.
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty organization. Rival military alliance to the Warsaw Pact. Grew out of western Europeans anxiety over Soviet army and power. Important because it tied the United States to the defense of Western Europe. This was somewhat of a diplomatic revolution since the US had previously avoided entangling alliances. However, the treaty was easily ratified by the US Senate.
7. Knut Haukelid
Norwegian parachuter, commander of the assault team, successful operation, deeply harmed the cascade system. There were two groups, the demolition and the covering party. However, Germans dismantled the factory and moved it to a mine shaft in order to avoid attack. Alerted of the plan in 1944, still prepared. Sank the Lake Tinnsjo ferry in the deepest part of the lake.
20. Tehran Conference
November 1943 in Iran. Stalin + Churchill + FDR. Trying to figure out how to purge Nazism and how to deal with Poland. At this conference they fix the date for the invasion of Western Europe to open the second front that Stalin is begging for. Fixed the date for May 1, 1944 (later postponed 5 weeks).
George C. Marshall
One of the smartest leaders of any country anywhere. Bess ****ing loves him. Ran entire global allied war effort. Was a brilliant military leader but Truman(or FDR) asked him to stay behind as the strategic mind behind entire war.
2. Heavy Water
One of the three ways to manufacture nuclear material a.k.a. uranium. Used by the Germans to enrich uranium. This was extremely valuable to them and sped up their position in the atomic bomb race.
18. Churchill's reaction to Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor 1941 Overjoyed to have US in the war. Germany then declares war on the US which Churchill was also happy about because it means US would be at war with both Japan and Germany - not only in the Pacific. After all this misery, we have won! The Commonwealth will survive! When you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite (Churchill in letter to Japanese emperor when he declared war on Japan for attacking the US)
Paul Tibbets
Pilot of the enola gay, dropped bomb on Hiroshima. One of the best pilots. Later defended the bombing, just another act of war. He announced to the crew what they had done after the bomb was dropped (this would never work today #consent)
Operation Citadel
Plan B. Manstein's plan, centered on German offense at Kursk that would launch a pincher attack from North and South in order encircle Soviets, problems with plan: Soviets had learned from previous encirclements/ spies, US, British intelligence knew of German's plan
Enola Gay
Plane that Little Boy was loaded onto, dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. Flew by Paul Tibbets. Most people on plane did not even know what they were doing.
68. Operation Sealion
Planned invasion of Britain during Battle of Britain September 1940. Hitler cancels when he realizes he's losing Battle of Britain, shifts to USSR instead. Hitler's decision to invade Britain, need to eliminate the RAF. Becomes a battle of attrition. Germans have tremendous edge in man power and the British were running dangerously low, Americans volunteer which is an enormous contribution. By October, Hitler realizes it is not working and puts full attention on planning the conquest of the Soviet.
22. Potsdam Declaration
Potsdam conference July 1945 in Potsdam, Germany. Truman had replaced FDR after death. Churchill voted out of office and replaced by Clement Atlee. Stalin is the last man standing. Japanese had not yet surrendered. Potsdam declaration made on July 26, 1945 directed at Japan: We do not want to kill or enslave you, we want to give you democracy and human rights - allied troops won't leave until this is done, your emperor does not have to step down BUT the alternative to agreement is complete and total destruction. At Potsdam, Truman gets work of successful A-Bomb test.
Manhattan Project
Project conducted during WWII by Americans to develop to first atomic bomb. United States top secret nuclear project located in New Mexico, Washington State, Tennessee and the University of Chicago. Oppenheimer led this
107. Edward LeQuesne
Ran dept of labor on the Islands during German occupation. Built a road off the island's north coast to provide work for unemployed men who might otherwise have had to work for the Germans.
69. RAF
Royal Air Force. Played pivotal role in the war, but none more important than in the Battle of Britain, effectively defeating the Luftwaffe in their attempt to bomb London in September 1940. Had advantage of home airfields, great communication and warning system (including radar) and greater capacity for production of aircraft. Led to postponement of Operation Sealion and kept Allied hopes alive in the face of defeat, changing the tides of war in the West.
43. T-34 Tank
Russian tank, better than the Sherman tank. Fast, reliable, easy to maneuver, great firepower= best combination. Idea given to Russians by the American Christy because the US had turned down the design in the 1930s.
Chile, 1973
Salvador Allende was elected President in 1970, but was murdered by Augusto Pinochet, who then took over Chile. America provided Pinochet with economic aid and supported his brutal regime to keep trade lines open.
67. Nagasaki
Second bomb dropped on August 9th, left the impression that the US could continue to produce bombs. Emperor turns against the military holdouts on the Imperial Council. Meant to further emphasize the need for Japan to negotiate or face mass bloodshed. Same points as Hiroshima
Salvador Allende
See Chile 1973: The socialist leader elected by Chile in 1970. Overthrown and murdered by the military coup of 1973.
"Democratizing WMD"
Should double check this but basically what I have is that by advancing in the way we are now, we are on a path to making weapons of mass destruction available to anyone. They are not these crazy heavy things that need advanced degrees to operate - they will be easy to make, easy to conceal, small groups can cause a massive amount of damage. I think "democratizing" means making them widely available.
15. Japan-USSR non-agrgression pact
Signed April 1941 - both wanted to avoid a 2 front war. This was a real shock to Britain. Example of uncoordinated effort of the Allies looking out for own narrow interests instead of working together
Warsaw Pact
Signed in 1953 as a response to NATO. Was a pledge to defend the communist system of government. Soviet Union's response to NATO, military alliance with Eastern Europe.
102. Crystal Sets
Simple radio receiver created and used by Islanders to listen to British news; would get in trouble if Germans found them
111. "Gibraltar of the East"
Singapore was considered un-losable. The British hubris- they thought they were invincible, believed too deeply in their own superiority. There were 130,000 Brits manning it.
Prokhorovka Station
Small village, Manstein v. Konev; July 12, 1943, climax of Battle of Kursk; Germans had just broke through Southern fortifications, Konev went and hit Manstein hard and Soviets won. Greatest intensity of the engagement. Both sides had known that it would be a decisive battle.
119. Free French Forces
Soldiers under General Pierre Koenig in Northern Africa. Mix of nationalities hastily assembled under de Gaulle. 3700 men.
35. Georgi Zhukov
Soviet General who eventually became second to Stalin in the military chain of command. He explored mobile armored warfare in war with Japan over Manchuria. After the purges, became one of the most important Russia military leaders of WWII. Allowed some autonomy by Stalin in running the military correctly. Developed pincer movement strategies that saved the Soviets at Stalingrad.
Ivan Konev
Soviet general at Battle of Kursk, general in charge of reserves that Russian's secretly had. Russian general in charge of the large reserve force waiting for Russian counterattack. His force was released for battle after Manstein broke southern line on 11 July 1943.
Konstantin Rokossovsky
Soviet general at Battle of Kursk, he began in North
Nikolai Vatutin
Soviet general at Battle of Kursk, he began in South
T-34 Tank
Soviet tank at battle of Kursk, it was the main tank they used
SOE
Special Operations Executive - British organization to conduct espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance in occupied Europe, aid local resistance movements. Example: Nancy Wake: parachuted into France to find anti-Nazi resisters, established communications between them and England, raid Gestapo headquarters, killed guard with bare hands. this woman was a badass. Example of one of the ways women were involved in the war
58. Second Front
Stalin begs US and Britain for a second front in the west, but does not occur until D-Day in 1944. Stalin thinks that they want him to lose or to bleed each other dry (not an entirely incorrect theory). However, the Atlantic was impassable until 1943, so a second front was not yet an option. Instead, Allies responded with a bombing campaign over Germany, which took slight pressure off of the Russians.
Soviet subjugation in Eastern Europe
Stalin claimed he would accept free elections bu he really only meant if a communist won (this is because these countries were in his sphere of influence)
Berlin airlift
Stalin cut off all land connections into Berlin as a protest to West Germany, held 2.2 million residents hostage. Al
103. "V" for Victory
Symbolic Vs painted all over the island to show Germans that they could not control the spirit of the islanders
25. Wartime relations between Britain and the U.S.
The best mending of forces the has ever happened. Had disagreements (when D-Day should be). Did an excellent job of sharing tech and coordinating on the Atomic bomb. Profound sense of gratitude towards the US for help. EX: The Merlin engine designed in Britain was then mass produced in the US and was the best fighter plane in the war. US Army advice to soldiers: This is no time to fight old grievances. The British are tough and polite - don't underestimate them, don't insult their king and queen - they have better democracy than us. Don't use the 'We saved you last time' argument with them.
Truman Doctrine
The economic half of the US response to the war, Britain passed the anti-communism baton to the US, we accept to stop the spread of communism globally.
Leslie Groves
The military overseer of the Manhattan Project who wrote a telegram to Truman while he was attending the Potsdam Conference in July, 1945 to inform him that the atomic bomb's test had been a success
Albert Einstein
The professor at the University of Berlin who helped educate Szilard in nuclear reactions; later became good friends with Szilard and after escaping Germany (also being Jewish) helped Szilard contact Roosevelt and United States government on possibility of creating an atomic bomb
"Lili Marleen"
The uncontested anthem of World War II made famous by Marlen Dietrich. A man at war missed his girlfriend so much he wrote a son called "Lili Marlene" and in 1939 Lala Anderson recorded it. A few years later, Marlene Dietrich made it big after she recorded it in 1943 in both English and German sang it. The song was about universal emotions. It's a deeper human reality and this song was able to tap into it. It underscored the common humanity of the people in the fight. Just before going into battle to shoot each other, sometimes they were all singing the same song. It became the uncontested anthem of WWII.
Vasili Arkhipov
This dude literally saved the world. In the heat of the Cuban missile crisis, he was on a submarine with a nuclear weapon with 2 others when US began firing around them. Thinking they were under attack, other 2 wanted to launch nuclear weapon. Vasili was more cautious and didnt think americans were aiming for them. Because you needed 3/3 agreement, they couldnt launch the weapon. They surfaced and night and discovered he was right. He had a reputation for bravery, personally led the repair team for cooling of nuclear reactor, got extreme radiation exposure and died very young. but man what a legend
U.S.S. Indianapolis
This ship carried the atomic bomb and unloaded it at Tinian, then headed to Guam for training for the Nov 1 invasion of Japan. The Japanese thought the Indianapolis was a battleship, hit them, huge explosions of ammunition, ripped apart the ship, 850 men escaped. Everyone else was sinking, no one came to rescue, no food or water, blinded by sun, burned, hallucinating, those that drank sea water went crazy, sharks ate flesh, fought each other, mass of delirious screaming men, Navy plane eventually saw them and rescued 311 naked and emaciated men. Whole ordeal was 84 hours, 500+ people died and eaten by sharks. HOLY SHIT MAN.
Bastogne
This was an essential village because the road was crucial; December 16, 1944 German forces try to attack though Ardennes Forest for offensive and the battle converges on this village; the village was being held by American General Anthony McAuliffe; 9 German panzer v. 2 American divisions; Germans try to get American forces to surrender—American forces decline surrender; the American forces held on for 3 weeks until Patton came and liberated; good example of "hanging tough"
Omar Bradley
US General; had reputation that he would do whatever he could to protect his men from unnecessary harm (thus men knew that when they fought there was a purpose)
Robert S. McNamara
US Secretary of Defense (on the cuban missile crisis): In the end, we lucked out. We came this close... (to nuclear war)
88. Navajo code talkers
US intelligence had come to the belief that any code could be broken. So new solution created= went to Navajo reservations, recruited 300 Navajos for intelligence bureau. Trained them in basic procedures. Put a few on each major fleet and base in the Pacific. Advantage= clear and fast communication, didn't have to waste time encrypting.
4. Manhattan project
US secret project that cost 2 billion dollars, created in urgency out of question if Hitler was building a bomb and how far along he was
Bataan
Under MacArthur in the Pacific - did not stockpile food or ammunition. Japanese land in the Philippines and easily defeat Americans who are forced to retreat to Bataan peninsula and then to Corregidor. They knew this could happen but did not prepare Baatan with food, all men starved, surrendered to Japanese at Corregidor. They sent MacArthur to Australia bc he couldn't **** up there.
Existential hope
Vaclav Havels thoughts on hope: hope is a state of mind, dimension of the sole, not an estimate of a situation or probability of success. it is an orientation of the spirit, not joy that things are going well but certainty that something makes sense - choosing to work for something because it is good not because you will succeed
108. Problem of Memory
We can look back at the Channel Islands and see some "traitors", but were they really? How can we distinguish between collaboration and simply trying to get by?
106. "Jerrybag"
Woman on Channel Islands who consorted with German officers. Are they traitors?
WAVEs
Women Accepted as Volunteers for Emergency Service; an American corps that allowed women to carry out positions typically run by men
Long-term impact of the war on women's status in society
Women were exposed to new jobs, experiences, responsibilities, and challenges after the war. "Uncontrolled social experiment". During the war day-care centers were established, women became head of house, got equal pay for "man's work," but when men returned not all women left the workplace because experience autonomy and did not want to be subjugated anymore. Changed aspirations for women and started the women's equality movement.
WACs
Women's Army Corps; a corps in the United States that was secretly launched to see how women faired in Anti-Aircraft Battery (a main role they were used in Britain); they performed very well, but General Marshall viewed it as too risky politically; about 150,000 women served in the WAC's
Cuban missile crisis
You know what this is. 10/27/62: 12th day of the crisis, American spy plane shot down, kill pilot. Offshore cuba b59 russian submarine, Americans try to get it to surface by firing around it, Russians thought they were under attack. They were carrying a nuclear torpedo. Hours of extreme tension on the sub, cut off from Moscow. 3 officers on board and only one opposed launching the weapon, Vasili Arkhipov (if Americans wanted to sink us they would have already). At night they surfaced, got word from moscow NOT to fire weapon, they were not under attack. Vasili saved the world. This was used in class to show just how close we have come to total destruction.
Mulberry
a artificial port facility, that the Allies towed across the English channel, then sunk them just enough so only their top was at the surface of the water, built large platoon bridges to the shore; very successful, one destroyed in the end of June after a bad storm, used in D-Day; signified American intelligence and creativity - we can do anything attitude
Marshall Plan
a brilliant piece of statecraft that put actively engaged the US for the long haul; at a speech at Harvard June 1947 - where George C. Marshall brought the idea of giving the ailing Europeans monetary loans; after lengthy debate on the floor of Congress, Marshall convinces them to give $12 billion in economic aid, (1/2 of which went to GB, France, and W. Germany)
Four Factors in the equation of effective force
according to Overy they were resources - man, tanks. Ships, supplies- both quantity and quality; tactics- how men, materials deployed on battlefield, General Pommel was superior at tactics, however did not have the resources; morale-fighting spirit, surviving will, ex. Japanese unconditional surrender; strategy- how do you fight in obtaining your object, Hitler's advantage in 1938-39, real window of opportunity from 39-42, but had to act fast before US - launched a 2 front war and got defeated
51. Lend-Lease
began in 1940, isolationism was still strong in the US, so FDR had to justify the "borrowing" of weapons by Britain, with no real concept of return. Shortly after this, Germany sinks a US boat.
40. Radar
bouncing signal that measures distance, installed after the Polish invasion, gave RAF sufficient warnings of impending German bombs. Fighters could intercept attackers, allowed Britain to survive. Not just about the technology, but what they did with the information. Was created by Sir Watson Watt. Used a plotting station with a real time radar room, gave a sweeping picture and aerial view of territory.
Winston Churchill
brilliant leader who always worried about British long term political interest in post-war Europe; did a good job listening to people around him and focus on bigger picture. Worked effectively through regime of democratic government, did not force ideas on colleagues like Yamamoto did. Listened, argued, modified opinions, built a consensus.
Economic impact of WWII
brought the world out of the Great Depression, the quick and decisive changes brought by the war changed the economic outlook of the future; American domination, it was relatively unscathed and therefore its production capabilities were superior after the war; started the idea of a world economy, where major economic countries would be actively involved in economic affairs; brought 3 institutional pillars: IMF, World Bank, Marshall Plan
33. Spitfire
built in a garage, modified racing seaplanes, chosen by the royal air force. Famous British fighter plane that was important in the Battle of Britain and then implemented throughout the course of the war.
3 ingredients of historical process
causality - chains of causes and effects; chance - random events; human choice - decisions, mistakes, omissions
Political impact of WWII
changed the meaning of being conservative, right win politics back away from authoritarian ideas and begin to embrace democratic mainstream ideas; left and right both share the ideas of a welfare state, their split falls in how much is the debate; recognize need government intervention because capitalist economies naturally go up and down, so you need a buffer to prevent the environment for extremist ideas to take hold; the can do attitude of governments,
112. HMS Prince of Wales
considered to be unsinkable, sent to Malaysia. Japan was able to sink it after only two hours of torpedo bombing in the Battle for Singapore, 1942. The British were shocked.
114. Bir Hakeim
desert warfare in North Africa. June 1942. Middle of nowhere, would stop modern warfare in its tracks. Had to pass whether going east or west. Fortified by the French. Rommel assumed it would only take one day of fighting. Attacks, but French had placed 50,000 land mines in the ground. Rommel decides to go around and bypass in the South, but he still wants to take the area. At night, the British armored personnel carriers came in through supply line with food and ammo. They disrupted the German supply lines and BH becomes a thorn in Rommel's side.
Vietnam disillusionment
didn't begin or end the war with public support; people did not even know where Vietnam was nor why Communism was such a threat; pop culture highlighted this fact in being a model for anti-war sentiment (CCR song); Vietnam is not viewed as one of America's finer moments
Why the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was a strategic blunder
example of not setting realistic and democratically approved political goals for the long haul; the attack planned by Yamamoto was contradictory to what Japanese leaders wanted to achieve with war (long term strategy- Japs never wanted to have a front conflicts with US. Wanted to rapidly grab as much land as they could so that the Allies would make a deal. But then Yamamoto mistakenly planned Pearl Harbor); although they won at Pearl Harbor—this led to Japanese ultimate failure to fulfill their political goals
Pas de Calais
fake Allied invasion site on the northeastern coast of France, where the Germans though the Allied invasion would take place because of lots of deception in making them think that is where it would be; also the narrowest point across the English Channel
59. United Nations (military alliance)
formed on January 1, 1942 as a military alliance against the axis. Grand Alliance spanning the world.
5. Norsk Hydro
heavy water factory in Norway's Vemork mountain area. Used a cascade pumping process, had tremendous military significance because it sped up the whole process by about one year. There was rigorous Norwegian resistance movement against the German's advancing, to destroy Norsk. Aided by the British. Had 18 vats: electrolysis --> electrolysis --> 18 times until it was pure.
80. Huff-Duff
high-frequency direction finder. Created by the British in 1942. Could triangulate to find where the subs were from their short, above ground transmissions. Used powerful searchlights to find subs on surface. Helped the Allies win the battle of the Atlantic.
13. "All historical narratives are perspectival constructions"
history is crafted by people. Epistemology is the philosophical study of how we know things, and we should use this to evaluate history. History stories are personal assumptions, affected by the person telling the story. But there does exist what actually happened. Historians must piece together interpretations. History is not static- the past stays the same, but our understanding of it constantly changes.
Scenario #6A
hitler had succeeded in serializing his enemies, first England then Russia then US → but the USA had managed to hold out until August 1945 and nuked Germany as well as Japan thereby winning the war: Churchhill run England in exile somewhere, plans to build intercontinental bomber fleet, everything is going Hitler's way, US fighting desperately for survival → 1945 Manhattan project to fruition → used against the Germans, 1945: had 2 bombs but could have made 12 more in next 6 bombs
84. Humanint
human intelligence such as spies. Could not match sigint WWII, but was dangerous and involved risking life. Example: resistance members.
Rethinking the word "us"
in the past we have thought of our own country as the "us" and others as the "them". we need to rethink this in the future and expand the definition of "us" because we all have the common interests of protecting ourselves from weapons of mass destruction. the way to do this is to work with other countries as a unit (us) and establish that it is in everyone's best interest not to use these, because they you will also be destroyed. No longer every man for themselves. Take model of France and Germany who used to hate each others guts and are now in a love affair for the ages.
10. The Age of Uncertainty
increasing bewilderment where basic moral orientation had eroded. Previously this void had been filled by religion. Now anxiety. Values shifting → ambiguity.
42. V-4
intercontinental ballistic missile intended for the US. Was only in the blueprint stages when overtook by the Nazis, never actually built. No satellites to guide it, so string of submarines as a radar beacon to guide it across the Atlantic to D.C. Creator Brown was brought to the US to help our rocket program in order not to be prosecuted as a war criminal
Tinian
island that they USS Indianapolis dropped off the atomic bomb before going to guam for training
100. The Channel Islands
islands in the English channel off the French coast of Normandy; small, low population compared to cities in England
117. Pierre Koenig
leader of the Free French Forces in Northern Africa. Refuses to surrender at Bir Hakeim. Orders troops to hold their ground until the victory is complete. Told his surrounded troops to form small groups, break through the lines to meet the British on the outside. 10:1 casualty ratio of german/Italians to French
70. Hermann Goering
leader of the Luftwaffe, ecstatic about Operation Sealion and bringing prestige to his air force. Launches attacks from French bases. Terrible leader, impatient, not systematic. Was Hitler's number two, worshipped Hitler, immediately followed his orders without questioning, allowed Hitler to interfere with daily flight operations.
26. Phillippe Petain
leading French general from WWI. From experience, had a belief in modern warfare for defense. Thought firepower could hold off any attack (medieval concept).
87. Joseph Rochefort
led codebreakers at Pearl Harbor.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
made commander and chief of Operation Overlord, even though the British greatly resented this appointment; he was meticulous, a great administrator, a good diplomat, knew when and how to take risks, was experience from Operation Torch in North Africa; if mission failed, was going to take the blame. May date to June, when a hole was presented for June 6-7, Eisenhower took the risk and launched the attack. Started the plan for D-Day invasion 18 months in advance. Had finesse with diplomatic relations and working with the British.
38. Sherman Tank
main US tank introduced in 1942. Armor too thing and lacked fire power, but reliable and had high deployment and production numbers. Could easily be mass produced, but then again the quality of it wasn't as good as other tanks. (Ronsons).
85. Alan Turing
mathematician at the heart of Bletchley Park. Created machines to reduce number of possible solutions for enigma.
96. ULTRA
name used by British and Americans for intelligence resulting from decryptions of German encrypted radio communications. Eventually became the standard designation for all intelligence from cryptic sources. The name arose because the code-breaking success was considered more important than the highest classification available at the time.
28. Charles de Gaulle
opponent of the line, student of Petain, wrote articles about mechanized mobility and tank warfare, and was a colonel. Studied the rapid movement of Germany and, if the army was under control, the war would have gone different. Unfortunately, the enemy implemented his ideas.
74. Hugh Dowding
ordered the installation of 35 radar stations, which proved to be of huge advantage in the war. Germans can no longer pull of surprises. Air Chief Marshall of the RAF. Very instrumental in triumph in the Battle of Britain. After seeing the shortcomings of France's Gamelin in the Battle of France and his counterpart Goering, Dowding proved extremely pragmatic and smart, wisely using his troops in concentrated areas where they could do the most damage, thus allowing the RAF to win despite being drastically outnumbered. Battle of Britain would not have been won without his leadership.
Peace as a continuum or spectrum
peace is not an either or state of affairs, it is a spectrum. like a house, it can be durable or flexible and like a spectrum you can move the house closer over time (what a ****ing weird analogy if i do say so myself)
Dwight Eisenhower
planned operation Overlord, he was a great administers, ability to plan (started planning D-Day 18 months in advance); he was good at connecting with his men (he considered himself one of them). He was adept at working with the British. He smoothed over inevitable tensions. Other leaders could have developed an arrogant attitude.
Vaclav Havel
playwrite, protested against czech dictatorshop, reformer and tried to make change through his plays, organized protests, wrote essays, etc. he was arrested but every time he was released he started organizing meetings again. spend most of 20 years in jail/house arrest. released during the Prague Spring and then elected the leader of new democratic czech republic, stepped down in 2003. Had a whole inspiring thing on hope.
WWI disillusionment
prior to WWI, the mentality of the citizenry and the soldiers was remarkable high, however after the "great war," which brought to death to almost an entire generation because of the deadly trench warfare, the fervent sense of nationalism and patriotism died; most of the men who fought were clueless and naïve about war; after WWI, there was a profound sense of bitterness because of the severe loss of life and the lack of a decisive win
Nuclear chain reaction
scientific concept that involves one nuclear reaction causing an average of one or more nuclear reactions that lead to more and more nuclear reactions, discovered by Szilard; he patented the idea of a simple nuclear reactor the next year out of concern for what this knowledge would mean for the future of the world.
"Percentages agreement"
secret informal agreement between Churchill and Stalin in Oct 1944. Gave stalin control over Eastern Europe and Churchill control of the west. They stuck to the agreement, when there was a communist uprising in Greece stalin did not help because that was not his area.
Augusto Pinochet
see Chile, 1973: Military leader who led, with US backing, the coup of 1973 that overthrew Allende and installed a brutal government.
SAVAK
see Iran, 1953. Secret police of Iran, established with the help of the CIA. hated and feared institution - dissolved in the revolution of '79
83. Sigint
signals intelligence, which is more important in WWII due to the greater volume of communications. Involved systematic eavesdropping. Helped RAF and convoys in the Battle of the Atlantic and maneuvering around wolf packs. Helped in the Mediterranean with navy and cut off supplies to Rommel.
Geopolitical impact of WWII
single greatest catalyst of long-term change of the 20th century, from the multipolar to bipolar geopolitical order, today back to the multipolar configuration, the hour glass theory; Chamberlain feared that WWII that saving Europe would bring its destruction, which was a correct fear, because after the war, Europe was never the same, started its relative decline, as their empires diminished and their domination weakened, while the US became the dominate world power as did the Russians, who both picked themselves up by their bootstraps after being the victims of surprise attacks and severely struggling up to 1942.
41. V-1
small, pilotless plane, early cruise missile. Also called a "unmanned Jet-bomb" or "doodlebug." Slow, so when caught on radar or seen in the air, would be shot down by the faster spitfire. Fair percentage shot down by the British, but devastating results when they hit.
36. Zero (Mitsubishi)
sturdy, nimble, reliable fighter aircraft of Japan. Made by Mitsubishi. Stays the same throughout war because industry was being attacked and therefore could not improve. Introduced in 1940.
79. Wolf packs
subs would swarm together and attack, extremely effective.
98. Bletchley Park
temporary buildings outside of London. The best minds of Britain and the US met here to attempt to break the German's enigma codes. Britain's code breaking center.
9. The "Good" War
term coined from the name of Terkel's first book. The war gave people a purpose, a common cause that the 20th century had been missing. Feelings of nationalism erupted→ people turned to these feelings instead of religion. From this, the world is becoming more secular. There was a compelling sense of moral clarity. We were fighting an enemy who was undoubtedly evil= moral stakes sharply defined.
Basic dimensions of destruction, August 1945
the destruction, devastation and death that came at the end of WWII, 38M were dead in Europe, 60M worldwide, Russia alone has 25M dead, in Leningrad in particular, 1M people died of starvation, China had 15M and Germany 4M, after the war 71/2M were homeless, in Japan 2M were dead, Poland lost 20% of its population, 60% of all Jews died, in comparison to Germany, Yugoslavia lost more people than Germany; 2M people die of starvation, malnutrition and starvation rampant, industrial production down to 30% in Europe, the same as its prewar levels, the lasting effects of the atomic bombs in Japan with radiation
The "long shadow"
the wound inflicted by war runs very deep into humanity, a spiritual wound, on the surface it looks like it has healed, however the legacy runs deeper
99. Why the Soviets had an advantage over everyone else in Humint
there were many communists in Britain and America, and really in all of Europe during WWII. Consequently, true believers in the cause of communism itself believed that they were working for a greater cause and leaked information. In other words, a devotion to communism trumped national loyalty. Therefore, soviet spies gained much more information than any other spies during the war.
115. "The guns faced the wrong way"
this is a myth that the guns only pointed towards the sea rendering them tragically useless. In reality, they could reach for a land based attack and the problem was that the ammunition was the wrong type= uneffective for the type of warfare needed. Japan is able to capture the water supply for Singapore City, moved so quickly that they were out of ammo so they bluff by issuing an ultimatum to Percival, who surrenders on February 15, 1942= worst military defeat in British history.
"Nuts!"
this is from a firsthand account; this was the response the General McAuliffe gave to German's surrender request on Dec. 22, 1944 in the village of Bastogne
USS Juneau
this was the ship that the 5 sullivan brothers were sent out on, fought in Guadalcanal, shit hit and it exploded, 100 men survived, 8 days later only 10 survived. everyone thought someone else was calling for help.
82. Significance of accidental German bomber raid of London, night of August 25, 1940
trying to bomb outside London at night, but miss and accidentally bomb the city. Churchill orders retaliatory strikes on Berlin. Hitler becomes furious and orders a massive retaliation against London and other cities. This is what saved Britain, 15,000 civilians die by airfields were not bombed. RAF had a much-needed respite. Adds to British determination. Instead of lowering morale, kept working and rebuilding.
Ansel Adams
very famous photographer during WWII, showed another dimension of time, order of nature going on its way while the massive destruction of WWII was going on
American veterans look back
veterans remembering the war (studs turkel book): Peter Bezich and Peggy Terry. Peter was drafted in '42, lost many friends to the war, "we won the war but we lost the peace", americans have no idea what war is. Peter's son refused to go to Vietnam & went to jail). Peggy: japanese were a whole other thing, burned everything made by Japanese. In the movies Germans were good looking but Japanese were evil & yellow. war put food on the table and paid the rent, jobs, higher expectations of standard of life and finances BUT husband came back as a drunk, PTSD, nightmares, beat wife and children
94. GARBO
was Pujol's German spy code name that the Germans used to identify him when he was the main spy.
Scenario #3
what if Japan had been strategically smart enough not to attack U.S., but joined Germany in attacking USSR in 1941 instead of attacking U.S? this was a debate in Japan military Vs. navy: is power in land in China or is sea domination in the Pacific the right move? Navy won but it was a real possibility. entire soviet strategy of retreating eastward and buying time would have been compromised. would the US entered the war to save the Brits and Russians? As it is, Russians were hanging by a thread
50. Barbarossa
when Hitler shifts attention from Britain to Soviet during the Winter of 1940-1941. Used the name of a Russian king for the operation. Preparations were in secret. Launched on June 22, 1941= largest military attack in history. Stalin collapses psychologically and tells his people to "fight in the name of the USSR", Soviets allow themselves to be encircled. After two weeks of silence, responds with radio address calling for nationalism, defense of the motherland. MAJOR FAILURE FOR GERMANY.
8. Studs Terkel
wrote book of oral history and interviews. Nostalgia for WWII and claimed that it was not only about stories of death, but also of triumph.
