HOA Review Day 4: Total Wars

1. HOA Review Day 4: Total Wars WWI League of Nations WWII Tactics of War Wars impact on minorities

2. Compare and contrast the causes of the First World War and the Second World War. To what extent did militarism contribute to the origins of the First World War and the Second World War?

3. Causes of Total Wars WWI WWII Nationalism Establishment of authoritarian dictators Treaty of Versailles Failure of the League of Nations Militarism • Militarism • Alliances • Imperialism • Nationalism

4. Assess the role of Canada in the First World War. Assess the role of two countries in the Americas in First World War.

5. Role of Canada in WWI • Canada’s role was significant in their evolutionary path to full nationhood • 1914, declared war after England • Thousands of Canadians volunteered for war (4,000 in 1914 = 600,000 by end of WWI) • By 1917, the army had transformed from a militia into an elite assault formation • Important Canadian battles (PINK worksheet): Ypres, Somme, Passchendaele  victories showed Canada’s “coming of age” and ability to fight independently • Afterwards, PM Borden demanded Britain to treat Canada as an equal • French Canadians (30%) did not support “Britain’s War” and enlistment in Quebec lagged behind English Canada • Heavy losses & dwindling volunteers pressured Borden to implement conscription in 1917 (Military Service Act) • Conscription Crisis  created a deep and lasting divide between English and French • Canadian economy grew and prospered, especially wheat and manufacturing of artillery • War’s cost was heavy…..over 60,000 killed • Canadian Corps on Western front was a huge source of nationalism • Canada earned a seat at the Versailles Treaty (unimaginable in 1914) • Joined the League of Nations and pursued an independent foreign policy • Policy changes formalized by Britain in Statute of Westminster (1931): gave Canada control over its foreign policy

6. Role of two countries in the Americas Brazil Cuba Consider this in the scope of US occupation Under the Platt Amendment, the US military had the right to intervene in Cuban affairs which led to several periods of occupation pre-WWI Established a system of dependency on the US So when the US declared war, Cuba did too No direct involvement – Cuba was used as a port for navies patrolling the Atlantic/Caribbean Conscripted Cubans, but never sent them overseas Resentment of foreign involvement: pushed for total economic/political independence Heightened internal divisions • Pre-WWI: dependent on exportation of agricultural goods (Especially coffee) • This trade was threatened by submarine warfare • Attempted to maintain neutrality and trade with all powers, but after German blockade, Brazilian merchant ships were sunk • La Parana: Brazilian steamship carrying coffee, traveled in accordance with demands made on neutral nations • Severed relations with Germany April 11, 1917 (After US declared war), but officially declared war on Germany October 1917 • Led to mass protests in Brazil: anti-German violence • Only LA country to be directly involved in war: Navy patrolled Atlantic and seized German ships • Sent military advisors to the Western front, alongside France • As part of Treaty of Versailles, Brazil was allowed to keep German ships that were seized during war • Shift in the economy to produce manufactured goods, since agriculture trade dropped • US encouraged more industrialization and inter-regional trade • Although manufacturing increased, almost completely light consumer goods • Resentment of foreign involvement: pushed for total economic/political independence

7. Analyze the reasons for defeat of Germany in either the First World War or the Second World War.

8. Defeat of Germany World War I World War II Failure to mobilize entire economy and workforce Failure to prepare for an unexpected long war against the USSR Strength of Soviet resistance Lack of key resources needed for war, especially oil Declaration of war on the US brought in a powerful opponent Failure to defeat Britain Overwhelming industrial power of the Allies; couldn’t keep up Allied bombing campaigns affected war production Lack of strong allies Failure to coordinate strategy with Japan Hitler’s racial policies alienated possible supporters Failure of submarine warfare to cut off supplies to the allies In general, strategic errors by Hitler • Necessity of fighting a war on two fronts • Due to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan • Lack of strong allies • Lack of key economic resources as supplies were cut off by naval blockade • Failure of submarine warfare to cripple the Allied war effort • Especially after introduction of convoys • Involvement of the USA • Overwhelmed by industrial strength and manpower • Internal political unrest & instability

9. Evaluate the importance of air power in determining the outcome of one twentieth century war. • For the purpose of review, pick a total war!!!

10. Air Power in WWII • Besides WWII, popular choices will be two world wars, Korea, Vietnam, Falklands, or Gulf War. Students should not provide a narrative description, but focus on analyzing how air power affected the outcome of war. • WWI or Vietnam: may explain that the outcome of war was not greatly affected by air power • Areas to consider how air power affected outcome: • Bombing of civilian and industrial targets (purpose) • Tactical bombing to support ground warfare (blitzkrieg) • Obtaining air superiority to deny the enemy the ability to attack • Reconnaissance • Control of the sea: securing shipping routes, destroying enemy warships and U-boats, supporting amphibious invasions (D-Day) • Denying the enemy the ability to move troops or equipment on or to the battlefield (Battle of Bulge) • Need a counter argument too! Yes it played a huge role in the outcome, but what about the failures……Japan and kamikazes? Etc?

11. Compare and contrast the use of naval warfare in the First World War and Second World War

12. Naval Warfare in the Total Wars • Similarities: • Differences:

13. In what ways, and with what results, did total wars increase the role and status of women? • This is an open-ended question on how 20th century wars altered the role and status of women. It suggest that wars raised their status but some candidates could find evidence to challenge this. The best answers will include evidence from specific wars!!!

14. Role of women in Total Wars • Ways would include: • Role of women in the war effort • Expanded role in the workforce • Results would include: • Increased employment opportunities • Increased responsibilities as heads of families • Gaining the right to vote • Becoming part of the political process • Need to reference specific examples from specific wars!!!

15. Analyze the results of either the First World War or Second World War.

16. Results of Total Wars WWI WWII Short Term Long Term Social: changing status and attitudes towards social groups: women, African Americans, Native Americans, “enemy aliens,” demographic changes Economic: growth, end of depression, changes in the economy, patterns of trade, demobilizations and changes in employment • Short Term • Long Term

17. “The atomic bombs were necessary to end the Second World War.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? • This is a highly debated topic which requires balanced judgments and historical evidence. It is not a question about the moral justification of dropping the bombs, but about the opinions that existed before the decision was made. Candidates might also argue Truman’s political motivations for doing it. • The answers that can be accepted are factual and analytical! • Considerable disagreements among US officials about Japan’s capacity to continue the war: Many believed that a costly invasion of the home islands would be required before Japan surrendered. A repetition of the resistance shown during the islands fighting and kamikazes were expected. Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa appeared to foreshadow the kind of defense that Japan would make on their home islands; an invasion surely would take a large toll of both American and Japanese lives. Assuming that the alternatives were invasion or dropping the atomic bombs, American and Japanese casualties in the invasion would have far exceeded the losses at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. • Can also include their view of surrender…..

18. Analyze the reasons for the failure of collective security between the First World War and Second World War.

19. Failure of Collective Security Reasons Examples Ruhr Crisis Locarno Era Abyssinian Crisis Manchurian Incident • Absence of the US • Great Depression • No enforcement or military • Self-interest • Power of Veto • Sanctions were ineffective • Failure of Disarmament • Countries not willing to aide other countries if attacked

20. Other possible prompts….. • Assess the role of each of the following in causing the Second World War: the Peace Settlement after the First World War; the economic crisis of 1929 onwards; ideological extremism • Peace Settlement: Do NOT just list the various provisions, but instead note the extent to which the decisions made in Paris resolved the tensions which had provoked conflict and prepared for the future. Could comment on the territorial, economic, collective security arrangements and the ways in which these satisfied and/or angered the powers • Economic Crisis: Consider areas such as: the link between economic crisis and the rise of political extremism, the reluctance of powers to become involved because of economic problems, the expansionist moves of states in pursuit of answers to economic problems (desire for new markets/materials) • Ideological extremism: consideration of Fascism, Nazism, Japanese militarism and the glorification of force in pursuit of political/racial/economic goals; use of force in the pursuit of “national interest” • Compare and contrast the factors that helped and hindered attempts at collective security in the ten years after each world war. • League of Nations, NATO, Warsaw Pact, UN