Post by ∬: Erhard Strumfelder on Oct 28, 2008 8:29:34 GMT
The Second World War was the single bloodiest conflict that has ever touched this earth. It was the first time battles could be exclusively won or lost in the air, where tanks played a major roll, where paratroops were deployed, which was fought over the harshest of terrains from freezing Russia to baking Egypt, and was the first and so far only nuclear war. The war is a tale of evil, bravery, deceit, death and hardship, for both sides. But how did it all start and spiral into what it eventually became?
WWI. The first Great War. What had been a small conflict between Serbia, Austria-Hungary and Russia over an assassination became a blood bath when Imperial Germany joined. Germany was the most powerful nation after over a decade of militarization. But after three years of war, and the sinking of an American ship by a German U-boat, the situation for Germany became disastrous. Their ally, Austro-Hungary was in pieces, and their forces decimated. Just over four years after war had been declared on 11th November 1918, a peace agreement was signed. A few months later, another treaty was signed known as the Treaty of Versailles.
This treaty was one of the major reasons war broke out again in 1939. Because Germany and her actions had drawn in many nations, including Britain, France and the USA, the ToV stated the Germany may only have a small army, no air force, and could not develop many types of weapons. It also lost much of its land and reputation. This sent their economy through hell as massive inflation attacked the country, rendering most Germans dirt poor and on the verge of civil war. But one man wanted to change this, to give money back to the people, to give them back there pride, and to let the master race rule the world. He was Adolf Hitler.
After a series of general elections, he got into power in 1933, and formed Nazi Germany. He staged many events in an attempt to drum up support for anti-Communism and anti-Semitism. Later that year, concentration camps are opened across Germany, and new laws are passed giving Hitler dictorial power over the country.
In 1934, Hitler orders the SS to murder any of his political adversaries, including the previous chancellor in an event know as the Night of the Long Knives. He also becomes the German Fuhrer. In 1935, Hitler removes all right of Jews, and breaches the ToV by introduction conscription. 1936 was however one o the most active years for Germany. The Gestapo, or secret state police are placed above the law, and a civil war in Spain breaks out between Communists and Fascists. The USSR supplies the communists with weapons, but Germany uses it as a chance to train its new air force. After just two and a half months of war, the Fascist leader is named leader of the state. Berlin also hosts the Olympics, where Hitler is appalled that Black American Jesse Owens takes four gold medals. German also occupies the Rhineland, land which was taken off it, and forms the Wehrmacht, the most modern, best equipped, and best trained fighting force on the planet.
1937 proves of little importance, but 1938 is when Hitler starts going after land. He annexes Austria, and forces Czechoslovakian government to step down. The next year, he invades it. He appears unstoppable. Britain and France hurriedly make an agreement with Poland in an attempt to safeguard the eastern country. They say they will go to war with Germany if Hitler invades. This was the middle of August. On September 1st Germany tanks pour across the Polish boarder, on September 3rd 1939, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and France declare war on Nazi Germany.
WWI. The first Great War. What had been a small conflict between Serbia, Austria-Hungary and Russia over an assassination became a blood bath when Imperial Germany joined. Germany was the most powerful nation after over a decade of militarization. But after three years of war, and the sinking of an American ship by a German U-boat, the situation for Germany became disastrous. Their ally, Austro-Hungary was in pieces, and their forces decimated. Just over four years after war had been declared on 11th November 1918, a peace agreement was signed. A few months later, another treaty was signed known as the Treaty of Versailles.
This treaty was one of the major reasons war broke out again in 1939. Because Germany and her actions had drawn in many nations, including Britain, France and the USA, the ToV stated the Germany may only have a small army, no air force, and could not develop many types of weapons. It also lost much of its land and reputation. This sent their economy through hell as massive inflation attacked the country, rendering most Germans dirt poor and on the verge of civil war. But one man wanted to change this, to give money back to the people, to give them back there pride, and to let the master race rule the world. He was Adolf Hitler.
After a series of general elections, he got into power in 1933, and formed Nazi Germany. He staged many events in an attempt to drum up support for anti-Communism and anti-Semitism. Later that year, concentration camps are opened across Germany, and new laws are passed giving Hitler dictorial power over the country.
In 1934, Hitler orders the SS to murder any of his political adversaries, including the previous chancellor in an event know as the Night of the Long Knives. He also becomes the German Fuhrer. In 1935, Hitler removes all right of Jews, and breaches the ToV by introduction conscription. 1936 was however one o the most active years for Germany. The Gestapo, or secret state police are placed above the law, and a civil war in Spain breaks out between Communists and Fascists. The USSR supplies the communists with weapons, but Germany uses it as a chance to train its new air force. After just two and a half months of war, the Fascist leader is named leader of the state. Berlin also hosts the Olympics, where Hitler is appalled that Black American Jesse Owens takes four gold medals. German also occupies the Rhineland, land which was taken off it, and forms the Wehrmacht, the most modern, best equipped, and best trained fighting force on the planet.
1937 proves of little importance, but 1938 is when Hitler starts going after land. He annexes Austria, and forces Czechoslovakian government to step down. The next year, he invades it. He appears unstoppable. Britain and France hurriedly make an agreement with Poland in an attempt to safeguard the eastern country. They say they will go to war with Germany if Hitler invades. This was the middle of August. On September 1st Germany tanks pour across the Polish boarder, on September 3rd 1939, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and France declare war on Nazi Germany.
