Hitler decided on the invasion of the Soviet Union to gain lebensraum but this was a mistake. Hitler also declared war on America when he need not have done so.
5 Winning the key battles
The Allies won the key battles that were turning points in the war – the Battle of Britain, El Alamein, Stalingrad in Europe, and Midway and Iwo Jima in the Pacific. The invasion of Europe – D-Day – was a success. The dropping of the atomic bombs ended the war with Japan.
6 Winning the war at sea
The Allies won the war at sea in the Atlantic which kept the shipping lanes open and brought men and supplies from the British Commonwealth and from America to Britain. The American Pacific fleet dominated the Pacific Ocean.
7 Winning the war in the air
The Allies won the war in the air, in which German and Japanese factories, railways, roads and cities were bombed.
Assessing Your Learning
1. Select three reasons why the Allies won the war and explain them.
2. Which of the reasons explaining why the Allies won the war was the most important? Explain your answer.
What Was the Impact of World War II ? 2
Destruction 1 Death Economic revival
Short-term impact of WWII
1 Fate of Germany 2 Fate of Japan 3
Growth of superpowers
4 Cold War 321 5
End of European supremacy
Long-term impact of WWII
7
United Nations 6
Toward European unity 3 Refugees 4 War crimes trials
Discuss the short- and long- term impact of World War II