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World war 1 and 2 comparison essay
World War 1 and World War 2 Comparison
Compare World War I and World War II
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As we study history, it is imperative that we understand and interpret that there are many historical events that occurred over the course of time that share numerous resemblances and variations. World War I and World War II share a variety of similarities and differences. Both, WWI and WWII, were impacted by the engagement of many of the leading societies of this time period. In World War I, the dominating societies were that of the European authorities of Britain, Germany, and Austria, and somewhat participation of the United States. In proportion to this, The United States provided their full participation to World War II. The U.S. were eventually determined to become the primary superpower in years to come. By analyzing this essay, the …show more content…
comparisons and contrasts of these two wars will be crucially analyzed. One of the main causes of both World Wars was the concept of imperialism. During World War I, the Germans, the French, and the British were in competition to create the world's best, most significant and substantial empire. With the thought of imperialistic ways, the German would ally with the Austrians, and the British would ally with the French. In World War II, Adolf Hitler was in hopes of making expansions to the Third Reich. He decided to expand this society in hopes that he could incorporate "all German speaking-peoples." Imperialism relates to both of the historically significant events. It recurred within the German, Britain, and France. Due to this, the size of the militaries increased within these three societies. With this increase in their army structure, they were in hopes of making the significant authorities more confident when engaging in contact with each other. However, there is a difference between these wars as far as the concept imperialism. During World War I, German imperialism was a long-term cause of the war. However, the Deutschland ended up being blamed for the war. They were humiliated by the Allies, while assisted in the influence of initiating World War II. Another similarity between the cause of the wars was the role of the country of Germany, and its policies during this interval. One of the most significant reasons for the initiation of World War I can be visualized as the result of the expansion of Germany on the European societies. Germany was an adequate, newly formed society. At the time of its rapid expansion, it flourished from financial, industrial and military standpoints. This would pose a prospective threat to disturb the stability of authority that was already achieved within the European societies after many interval of hostility. However, the nature of these conditions were reinforced by the German's operation from this significant authority. However, there are many differences in the causes of these wars.
It is understood that nationalism, imperialism, and militarism are similarities in the causes of both of these wars. However, one aspect that these wars do not share was a major cause of one of these wars. The concept of industrialization was a significant, long term cause of World War I. There were numerous amounts of weapons that were created, such as machine guns. The naval race, which was basically the German and British societies feuding for authority of the ocean, began to flourish. A ship in the European societies, the Dreadnought, was contemplated as the most heavily armed ship in all of Europe. At the time of its creation, the naval arms race between the German and British societies were initiated continuity. The Admiral Tirpitz was one of the many people of society that created a very robust German military structure. This army would be used to compete with the already established army of the British. However, the British societies were very enraged. The opposed the fact that the Germans were developing in rapid motion. They were in fear that the Germans would eventually develop so quickly that they would meet and pass them as far as industrialization, even though they were just initiating the development of their military
structure. Another main cause of WWI was the formation a numerous secret alliances. There were many alliances being made prior to the initiation of World War I. These secret connections were made in hopes to protect many of the societies that made them. Due to the innumerable amount of partnerships being made, there was much mistrust between members due their overlapping alliances. In 1872, following then Franco-Japanese war, the 3 Emperor's League formed. It was the demand of Otto van Bismarck, Prussian Chancellor, that he keep the land that he was currently in ownership of. He also was in favor in gaining more land. To do this, he formed an alliance with the Russian and Austria-Hungarian societies. In 1879, the Ducu alliance was formed, which was a partnership of defense between Austrian-Hungary and the Germans. This alliance was the only on that lasted throughout WWI. In 1882, the Triple Alliance was signed by the German, Austrian, and Italian societies. This alliance stated that if one of the three stated countries were to engage into war, the other countries would be of assistance. However, the Germans and the Austrians eventually went into battle, and the Italians were of no support, because they were the attackers. Ironically, Italy eventually sided with the enemy. A very ironic twist to history were the causes of the Second World War. There were many of the effects of the First World War that eventually became causes of World War II. One effect of WWI, and cause of WWII was the Treaty of Versailles. This was a main cause of the Second World War.
World War Warfare was one of the greatest examples of technological advancement and strategic challenge, with the introduction of inventions such as the aircraft and the tank the battlefield transformed from attrition as scene in the early years of the war to decisive by the end of the war.
Imperialism was a competitive force that inevitably led to crises among rival nations. Due to severe opposition and competition as well as discontent in colonized regions, imperialism can be considered a major factor leading to World War I. Nationalism has long been a cause of disunity throughout European nations. Nationalism in Germany was especially prominent. With powerful military forces and an industrial outlook, Germany thrived. A sense of national unity was dispersed throughout the empire and gave Germany the assurance it needed to expand.
Adams, Michael C. C. The "Best War Ever: America and World War II" Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD 1994. Bailey, Ronald H. The Home Front, U.S.A. Time-Life Publishing, Chicago, IL. 1978 Bard, Mitchell G.
"World War II." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. Ed. William A. Darity, Jr. 2nd Ed. Vol. 9. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2008. 147-151. World History In Context. Web. 19 Feb. 2013.
David Reynolds has written and enlightening book named “From Munich to Pearl Harbor” discussing three main objectives dealing with World War II. The first of the three objectives is to provide a detailed and clear narrative story from the years between Munich to Pearl Harbor. The second of the three purposes or objectives of the book is to analyze and show how President Franklin Delano Roosevelt led the American people into a new perspective on international relations that were different from anything Americans had known. The last of the three objectives of the book is to show the developments between the years of 1938 through 1941. Many of these developments were very important later for the foreign policy of the United States not only during the Second World War but also during the Cold War complications with Russia and today with President Bush’s war on terror currently taking place in Iraq.
Militarism was also an underlying cause of World War I. As the alliance system divided Europe into opposing groups, each nation began to increase spending on its military. This set a belligerent mood in Europe as each nation was prepared to fight a war. A German officer once said "in time of peace, prepare for war," and that is exactly what European nations did, eventually leading to the Great War.
From the early and mid 20th century, many significant events happened around the world. Many triggers led to wars between nations. This era, wars were not only involved one or two countries but almost every nation took a role to start the conflict. During this time, WW1 and WW2 occurred. Changes and continuities between the early and mid 20th century were alliances and militarism.
It is the intention of this paper to explicate the United States’ entrance into World War II. In order to achieve current purposes, this essay will advance as follows: Section 1 will explain how Adolf Hitler defied the Treaty of Versailles and turned a depression-wracked country into a major military power, Part 2 will discuss Hitler’s strategies concerning the “Jewish problem” in Germany and his military conquests from 1936 to 1940 in his attempt to control Europe, Portion 3 will expound the provisions of the Neutrality Acts and how the United States gradually repealed the provisions as Hitler became a serious threat to the world, and finally, Section 4 will both explain the position of the United States regarding the rise and threat of the Nazi power and how the United States began to slowly shed its isolationist beliefs in the wake of Hitler’s power and will conclude this essay.
However, when confronted with a strict policy of appeasement, by both the French and the English, the stage was set for a second World War. Taylor constructs a powerful and effective argument by expelling certain dogmas that painted Hitler as a madman, and by evaluating historical events as a body of actions and reactions, disagreeing with the common idea that the Axis had a specific program from the start. The book begins with the conclusion of the First World War, by exploring the idea that critical mistakes made then made a second war likely, yet not inevitable. Taylor points out that although Germany was defeated on the Western front, “Russia fell out of Europe and ceased to exist, for the time being, as a Great Power. The constellation of Europe was profoundly changed—and to Germany’s advantage.”
WWII has a ripple effect across the globe causing changes both internationally and domestically. Internationally, The sun finally began to set over the British Empire with the majority of her majesties colonial possessions gaining independence in the years following the war. Britain’s stage left exit from its hegemonic role resulted in the start of a new “Great Game” between two burgeoning superpowers. A new world order began to take shape with the United States and USSR vying to establish their own hegemony.
World War II and The Revolutionary war have many things in common with each other.World War II is a well known war and it lasted from 1939-1945. The Revolutionary war is also a well known war that lasted from 1775-1783. In the Revolutionary War it was between the American and British but many people got involved with the war.In World War II it was between the Jews and Nazi but many people helped the jews than the nazis.The first contrast is the technology that they had when they went to war.
The war of 1898 and 1917 were pivotal events in American foreign relations. Both wars shaped the way America is seen from a global lens and also offers insight into the foundation for how we respond to future crisis. Though these wars were drastically different in reasons and outcome, they share close similarities and obvious differences that help us to better understand the decision making process in America’s war efforts abroad.
Wars are good business. They create an immediate demand for a wide variety of materials needed by the government in order to fight the war. They create work opportunities for people that might not ordinarily be considered part of the normal work force. And, while not necessarily good for the soldiers engaged in the fighting, wars are always good for the businesses that provide the materials used in a war. The Second World War was very good for business.
Europe has seen many wars over its vast and broad history, some of which being quite immense and destructive. One such war would undoubtedly be World War One. A war powered by the brainwashing ways of militarism and the stubborn pride of nationalism. Once engaged in a war a country’s militarism will produce fine soldier ready to drop like dominos on the battlefield, while the nationalism works as fuel providing the naive determination to fight the war. This naïve determination and soldier production is why World War One, like every other war, continued with such persistency. But what started World War One? Was it militarism that trained young men since they were kids to become soldiers, nationalism propelling a nations pride forward or was it neither? While both of those aspects could be potential reasons their still not the main pillars of cause. The true reason’s that made World War One inevitable were the intimidating alliances, avaricious imperialism, and tedious tensions.
World War I was a conflict that claimed over 10 million peoples’ lives, ravaged all of Europe and engineered modern warfare, as it is know today. The Great War has been scrutinized and examined through many complex theories in order to understand how such a conflict escalated to one of the most epic wars in history. This essay, like many works before it, looks to examine WWI and determine its causes through two distinct levels of analysis, individual and systemic. The individual level of analysis locates the cause of conflicts in individual leaders or decision makers within a particular country, focusing on the characteristics of human decision-making. The systemic level of analysis explains the causation of a conflict from a system wide level that includes all states, taking in to account the distribution of power and the interaction of states in the international system.