ALLIES https://sites.google.com/site/greatwar2/countries-involved-in-ww2

The United States of America

They were brought to war after Japan launched a surprise attack to Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 that claimed around 2400 servicemen and civilian’s lives, damaged and destroyed US’ warships in their aim to expand to the Far East. http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-students/ww2-history/america-goes-to-war.html & http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1661.html

Russia

Joined the war after three German army force surprisingly launched an attack that destroyed around 1000 Soviet aircrafts during the first day of their invasion. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-launches-operation-barbarossa--the-invasion-of-russia

France

Joined the war along with Great Britain in their aim to appease Germany’s hostility. http://www.worldwar2history.info/in/France.html

Britain

Joined the war along with France after they sent an ultimatum to Hitler—wherein they would wage war if the Germans would not withdraw their forces in Poland—which the Germans neglected. http://history1900s.about.com/od/worldwarii/a/wwiistarts.htm

Canada

Joined war on September 10, 1939 since they were a part of the British Empire and was expected to join the war against the Germans. http://www.ualberta.ca/~mfowler/WWII_Canadian_involvement.htm http://histclo.com/essay/war/ww2/cou/can/ww2-can.html

AXIS

Germany

Italy

Japan

3. What happened to the League of Nations that led to the alliance of Germany, Italy and Japan?

4. Why was Vietnam war called the Waterloo of America?

5. Is the unification of Korea possible? Why or why not?

The unification of Korea is possible. However, it might take a while or would rather be difficult not only because they differ in their ideologies but also because of their divergence in language, culture, and beliefs. For years, North and South Korea had been drifting apart because of their idea that North is different from the South and vice versa. According to Epstein (2013), "There are almost 25,000 North Koreans in the South. The North is no longer anywhere near as mysterious as it was”. US Intelligence Analysts were expecting the collapse of North Korean regime around 2020 to 2025 and that South Korea was hopeful that the German Unification Model would be applicable to them. Overall, unification between North and South Korea would be possible if they build trust and institutions that would bring them to partnership for prosperity, peace and security.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/paulroderickgregory/2013/04/14/korean-unification-do-not-be-surprised-if-it-comes-soon/

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/27/south-north-korea-unification

http://www.keia.org/publication/trust-building-through-institutions-european-lessons-korean-unification

2. Compare and Contrast

WORLD WAR I

War started after the assasination of the heir to the Hungarian Throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, in Saravejo on June 28, 1914, by the “Black Hand”—a Nationalist Secret Society in Serbia. The Austro-Hungarians wanted to take the opportunity to exercise its authority against the Serbians and issued an ultimatum which nullified Serbia’s sovereignity. Written theirin was

their demand to bring the assassins to justice. Serbia’s rejection to the ultimatum served as a pretext for the limited war in Serbia.

Countries Involved Reasons Why They Joined the War

Effects of the War

Austria-Hungary Not satisfied with Serbia’s response to their ultimatum; declared war to Serbia on July 28, 1914.

Austria was forced to cede large parts of its empire, including Hungary and Balkan territories (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia), minimizing it to a fraction of its size going back centuries, trimmed down to primarily cover areas dominated by Austrian-German populations.

Russia Included because of its treaty with Serbia and stated that their army would mobilize in Serbia’s defense.

Communists secured their hold on power within Russia; Russia was unable to prevent the independence of several former dependent states, such as Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland. It did manage to reassert control over Belarus and Ukraine.

Germany Bound because of its treaty to Austria-Hungary and declared war on Russia (August) after they viewed Russia’s acts as an act of war against Austria-Hungary.

Was severely weakened due to loss in WWI. Lost its overseas territories; No longer a serious challenger to the UK and USA as leading world powers; was unable to reach potential in the military and industiral areas due to peace treaty signed to end war. Germany’s economy and morale declined.

France Bound because of its treaty with Russia; later on fought Germany after it invaded Belgium.

Was utterly devastated by the trench warfare fought against the Germans on French lands. Suffered a high loss of life, destroyed industrial region and

economic devastation. France did gain additional territories Rhine (from Germany), also gained part of Germany’s African territories, and multiple territories in former Ottoman Empire (Middle East).

Britain Allied with France because of its oral treaty. Fought with Germany in August 4; was also obligated to defend Belgium because of their 75-year old treaty.

Gained even more territory (especially in Middle East), but weakened due to high loss of life and financial damage. Ireland begins Independence movement, that lead to its Independence in 1921.

AutraliaBritain’s colonies an dominions. Offered military and financial assistance upon Britain’s inclusion to the war.

CanadaIndiaNew ZealandUnion of South Africa

United States Remained neutral until 1917 when Germany’s submarine warfare threatened US’ commercial shipping.

Japan Recognized their military agreement with Britain and waged war with Germany on August 23, 1914.

Italy Allied with both Austria-Hungary and stated that it will remain neutral and will defend either if it is a “defensive” war. Finally joined the conflict on May 1915 through siding with the allies against her two former allies.

Difficulties after the war led to violent protests by the rapidly growing socialist party; facilitated a coup led by Mussolini's Fascist Party.

http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/causes.htm

http://www.worldology.com/Europe/world_war_1_effect.htm

WORLD WAR II

Adolph Hitler's Germany Army elements crossed onto neighboring Polish soil on September 1, 1939, in an effort to conquer the sovereign nation. The event forced British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to officially declare the United Kingdom to be at war with Germany. http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/

Countries Involved Reasons Why They Joined the War

Effects of the War

ALLIED:

United States Remained neutral but were brought to war after Japan launched a surprise attack in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941

Retained military commitments to European security while providing economic investment to rebuild nations suffering devastation during the war. Became the leader of the western Allies in forming NATO, and host the United Nations in which it gained one of the permanent seats on the Security Council.

Russia Joined the war after three German army force surprisingly launched an attack that destroyed around 1000 Soviet aircrafts during the first day of their invasion.

France Joined the war along with Great Britain in their aim to appease Germany’s hostility.

France was liberated by the Allies in 1944 and the French Fourth Republic became a permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations and founding member of NATO after the war.

Britain Joined the war along with France after they sent an ultimatum to Hitler—wherein they would wage war if the Germans would not withdraw their forces in Poland—which

the Germans neglected.

Canada Joined war on September 10, 1939 since they were a part of the British Empire and was expected to join the war against the Germans.

Many Royal Canadian Navy ships and personnel were transferred from the Atlantic to join the British Pacific Fleet.

AXIS:

Germany Adolph Hitler's Germany Army elements crossed onto neighboring Polish soil on September 1, 1939, in an effort to conquer the sovereign nation.

Italy Did not join in the war until June 1940; planned to get a share of Allied territory with the defeat of France.

Italy was split between an Allied-occupied south and the remnants of the Fascist government in the north, the Italian Social Republic; became a member of NATO after the war, but lost Istria peninsula to Yugoslavia.

Japan Included in the war after its invasion in China.

Japan became 1 of the most leading countries in production.

http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/WW2/involved.htm

COLD WAR

In 1949, the Soviet Union developed its first atomic bomb, the confrontation between the USA and the USSR escalated to the nuclear level, and humanity trembled at the prospect of a global nuclear catastrophe yet they never fought each other directly. http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/11/cold-war-start-end/

KOREAN WAR

North Korean (lead by USSR) troops suddenly attacked South Korea (led by US troops) in their aim to spread communism.

Countries Involved Reasons Why They Joined the War

Effects of the War

Victor Side:United StatesRepublic of KoreaUnited NationsUnited KingdomAustraliaBelgiumCanadaColumbiaEthiopiaFranceGreeceLuxembourgNetherlandsNew ZealandPhilippinesSouth AfricaThailand TurkeyOpposition Side:Democratic People’s Republic of KoreaPeople’s Republic of ChinaSoviet Union