which leader had the greatest impact on the course of ww2

Full Answer

Why was World War II the greatest war in history?

World War II was the greatest conflict in history, carried out on a scale almost impossible to grasp. In many ways it was the first modern war, in which airpower played a vital role both on land and at sea, but many actions were ultimately won by the determination and grit of the foot soldier.

How successful was Hitler as a war leader?

Hitler was an audacious, aggressive and successful war leader, overruling his more cautious generals as he took Austria and invaded and conquered Czechoslovakia, Poland, Denmark, Norway, France, Holland and Belgium and forced the British Expeditionary Force off of the Continent. Hitler wisely accepted von Manstein’s plan to invade France in 1940.

How did Japan’s economic woes lead to WW2?

This exasperated Japan’s economic woes, and caused considerable civil discontent. There was a strong feeling in Japan that an aggressive military expansionist policy was the only way to break out of their unfortunate economic situation and was one of the leading causes of World War 2 in the Pacific.

What did Adolf Hitler do in WW2?

Hitler served in the Bavarian army during World War I and rose to become the leader of Nazi Germany during World War II. Under his leadership, the Nazis sought to make Germany the most powerful empire in the world and exterminate all they viewed as inferior.

Which leader had the greatest impact on the world after WW2?

Stalin has arguably made a greater impact on the lives of more individuals than any other figure in history.

Who was the greatest leader of WW2?

Top 10 WWII Military/Political LeadersSir Winston Churchill: In May of 1940, Churchill was elected Prime Minister. ... Dwight D. ... Hirohito: Emperor of Japan from 1926 through 1989, Hirohito was actually known as “Showa” during his reign. ... Adolf Hitler: Hitler was dictator of Germany from 1933 – 1945.More items...

What was Joseph Stalin role in WW2?

In 1939, on the eve of World War II, Joseph Stalin and German dictator Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) signed the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact. Stalin then proceeded to annex parts of Poland and Romania, as well as the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. He also launched an invasion of Finland.

Who was the leader of Great Britain during WW2?

Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill was an inspirational statesman, writer, orator and leader who led Britain to victory in the Second World War. He served as Conservative Prime Minister twice - from 1940 to 1945 (before being defeated in the 1945 general election by the Labour leader Clement Attlee) and from 1951 to 1955.

Who were the main leaders of ww2?

The Allied powers were led by Winston Churchill (United Kingdom); Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union); Charles de Gaulle (France); and Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman (United States). The Axis powers were led by Adolf Hitler (Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy), and Hideki Tojo (Japan).

What was Winston Churchill's impact on ww2?

As prime minister (1940–45) during most of World War II, Winston Churchill rallied the British people and led the country from the brink of defeat to victory. He shaped Allied strategy in the war, and in the war's later stages he alerted the West to the expansionist threat of the Soviet Union.

What role did Franklin Roosevelt play in ww2?

Roosevelt supervised the mobilization of the U.S. economy to support the war effort and implemented a Europe first strategy, initiating the Lend-Lease program and making the defeat of Germany first a priority over that of Japan.

What was Hirohito role in World war 2?

Hirohito presided over the invasion of China, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and eventually, the Japanese surrender to the Allies. Many historical sources have portrayed Hirohito as powerless.

How did Mussolini contribute to ww2?

Called “Il Duce” (the Leader) by his countrymen or simply “Mussolini,” he allied himself with Adolf Hitler during World War II, relying on the German dictator to prop up his leadership. Mussolini was executed by firing squad shortly after the German surrender in Italy in 1945.

Who were the big three leaders in ww2?

Top Image: Soviet premier Joseph Stalin, US president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and british Prime Minister Winston Churchill (left to right) at the Teheran Conference, 1943.

Why was Winston Churchill such a great leader?

Historians widely attribute Churchill with being “the greatest statesman of the 20th century.” Churchill was an effective leader and statesman because of his tremendous ability to inspire people; his unique strategic insight; his relentless passion; and his imperturbable personality.

Did Churchill save the world?

Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill forged a bond that surmounted what seemed an unsurmountable enemy and saved the world. In his eulogy to the president, the British prime minister said, "In FDR there died the greatest American friend we have ever known.”

Who was the French general who led the French in their fight against Germany?

He played a major role in the war's outcome by making the decision to use the atomic bomb against Japan. Charles de Gaulle. A French general who led the French in their fight against Germany. After World War II, he became president of France.

Who was the Prime Minister of Great Britain during the war?

Winston Churchill. Winston Churchill was born in Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, on 30th November, 1874. Prime Minister of Great Britain during most of the war, from 1940 to 1945, Churchill led Britain to victory. During the Battle of Britain, Churchill's speeches boosted the British morale during the darkest moments.

Why did Wilhelmina dislike the UK?

Wilhelmina actually disliked the UK as the British had taken control over former Dutch colonies. (Transvaal and the Orange Free State.) This happened during the Boer War, when she was the Dutch Queen. But when King George VI sent a warship to bring her to safety, she accepted.

What was the Battle of Midway?

Battle of Midway, (June 3–6, 1942), World War II naval battle, fought almost entirely with aircraft, in which the United States destroyed Japan’s first-line carrier strength and most of its best trained naval pilots.

What does it mean to condemn Nazism?

Basically to condemn Nazism means to condemn science. Auschwitz would have been impossible without science and scientific Weltanschauung. The lesson has been so painful to learn, so agonous to internalize - and so easy to forget. The lab coat is white on both sides and turned oh so easily.

When did the Battle of Midway start?

Battle of Midway - World War II - HISTORY.com. The battle began on June 3, 1942, when U.S. bombers from Midway Island struck ineffectually at the Japanese invasion force about 220 miles southwest of the U.S. fleet.

Did Queen Wilhelmina make the greatest achievements during WWII?

Maybe Queen Wilhelmina did not make the greatest achievements during WWII but when she returned, the whole of the Netherlands loved her and celebrated the liberation with her. She had become hugely popular.

Who was the prime minister of Japan during World War II?

Tōjō Hideki (Ja pan)​. Soldier and statesman who was prime minister of Japan (1941–44) during most of the Pacific theater portion of World War II and who was subsequently tried and executed for war crimes. Read more.

How many people died in World War 2?

The war was in many respects a continuation of the disputes left unsettled by World War I. The 40 to 50 million deaths caused by World War II make it ...

What was the political crisis of the postwar years?

The political crisis of the postwar years provided an opportunity for militant, patriotic movements, including those of ex-servicemen and former assault troops, students, ex-syndicalists, and former pro-war agitators. Read more.

What was the line between the political and military spheres of the Nazi police state?

The line between the political and the military spheres of the Nazi police state was blurry by design. Many Nazi officials held military ranks, while others were part of the SS. Hitler, at the head of it all, played competing agencies and personalities against each other to secure his own power.

Who was the leader of the Soviet Union?

Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union) Secretary-general of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1922–53) and premier of the Soviet state (1941–53), who for a quarter of a century dictatorially ruled the Soviet Union and transformed it into a major world power. Read more.

Who was Heinrich Himmler's chief lieutenant?

Reinhard Heydrich ​. Nazi German official who was Heinrich Himmler ’s chief lieutenant in the Schutzstaffel (“Protective Echelon”), the paramilitary corps commonly known as the SS. He played a key role in organizing the Holocaust during the opening years of World War II. Read more.

Who was the 32nd president of the United States?

Franklin D. Roosevelt (United States) 32nd president of the United States (1933–45). The only president elected to the office four times, Roosevelt led the United States through two of the greatest crises of the 20th century: the Great Depression and World War II. Read more.

What is a World War 2 leader?

World War 2 leaders - the national leaders of all the countries which participated in the war

Who was the aggressor in World War 2?

The aggressors. Adolf Hitler- Nazi dictator of Germany(1933-45), planned and started World War 2, committed suicide at the end of the war ...

What is Switzerland known for?

Switzerlandis a federation led in rotation by a group of seven elected members. Famous for its neutrality, its high mountains, and as a banking and diplomatic center, the Swiss government knew that with highly aggressive neighbours like Hitler and Mussolini they must backup neutrality with a strong military position, and immediately when the war started the Swiss military fully deployed in defensive positions along the expected path of a German invasion and negotiated calling for French military support in such case. The mountains make Switzerland a natural fortress and its capable army is known to be highly trained in mountain warfare, so Hitler preferred to leave it in peace, surrounded from all sides by Axis territory.

Why did Stalin decide to make a deal with Hitler?

The pre-war pacifist strategy, military weakness, and anti-Communism of Britain and France led Stalin in August 1939 to decide that making a deal with Hitler is a better way to protect Russia from Hitler than making an alliance with Britain and France against him.

Why was King Leopold III imprisoned?

King Leopold III of Belgium- was imprisoned by the Germans after the poorly equipped Belgian military was crushed by German Blitzkrieg invasion in May 1940. After the war, Leopold was accused of collaborating with the Germans and forced to remain in exile.

What did King Haakon VII do to the Norwegian people?

King Haakon VII of Norwayrejected repeated German demands to surrender, demands that came after a sudden amphibious and airborne German invasion which ignored Norway's declared neutrality and good relations with Germany. The German invasion forces shocked and quickly overwhelmed the surprised Norwegian defenses in all major cities except the capital, which enabled King Haakon and the government to escape to a remote small village. From that small village the king managed to broadcast his message of resistance to the Norwegian people. After narrowly escaping a German air attack which totally destroyed that village, the king and government fled to northern Norway, which still fought. When the small Norwegian military, and British forces which landed in northern Norway to help them, failed to stop the Germans, the king and government were evacuated to Britain, and Norway remained under German military occupation until the end of World War 2. Persistent Norwegian resistance, and Hitler's worry of a second British landing, made him keep a huge garrison of 300,000 German troops in Norway until the end of the war, practically reducing this massive force from the German army's order of battle.

When did Japan become militarist?

With a long militarist tradition, Japan became extremely militarist and aggressive in the 1930s and was practically governed by military leaders. Tojo, an aggressive army General, became minister of war in July 1941 and prime minister in October 1941.

Who was the leader of Japan during the Pacific War?

Hideki Tojo was the wartime leader of Japan’s government. Hideki Tojo was a general from 1884 to 1948, with his close-cropped hair, mustache, and round spectacles. Hideki was known from the Allied propagandists, and was one of the most commonly caricatured members of Japan’s military dictatorship throughout the Pacific war.

Who was the leader of the fascist movement?

Benito rose to power in the wake of World War I, as a leading proponent of Facism. Originally a revolutionary Socialist, he forged the paramilitary Fascist movement in 1919 and became prime minister in 1922. Benito 's military expenditures in Libya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Albania made Italy predominant in the Mediterranean region.

What was Stalin involved in?

Born into poverty, Stalin became involved in revolutionary politics, as well as criminal activities, as a young man. After Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924) died, Stalin outmaneuvered his rivals for control of the party.

What was Chiang's government's role in the unification of China?

Chiang’s government concentrated on battling Communism within China as well as confronting Japanese aggression. When the Allies declared war on Japan in 1941, China took its place among the Big Four.

What was the Soviet Union like under Stalin?

Under Stalin, the Soviet Union transformed from a peasant society into a massive industrial and military superpower. Stalin ruled with terror, and millions of his own citizens died during his brutal reign. Born into poverty, Stalin became involved in revolutionary politics, as well as criminal activities, as a young man.

When did Mussolini and Hitler end their war?

They exhausted his armed forces by the late 1930s. Mussolini allied himself with Hitler, relying on Hitler to prop up his leadership during World War II, but he was killed shortly after the German surrender in Italy in 1945.

Who was Hitler in Germany?

Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician. Hitler was the leader of the Nazi Party, and was chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945. Hitler was the dictator of Nazi Germany from 1934 to 1945. He was at the center of founding Nazism, the start of World War II, and the Holocaust. In the final days of the war, ...

How did Hitler's Nazi party impact World War 2?

Adolf Hitler’s Impact on World War 2. Adolf Hitler’s Nazi party promised the German people that they would tear up the Treaty of Versailles. When they were voted to power in 1933 they immediately began to ignore it. As things improved economically in Germany, it became easier for Hitler to cement his grip on power.

Why did World War 2 happen?

World War 2 broke into open conflict due to the military aggression of Germany and Japan, when Germany invaded Poland in 1939 and Japan struck against China in 1937. The causes of World War 2, and background to these events is considerably complex, and it is important to understand the key facts and situations that lead to global war.

How did the Treaty of Versailles affect World War 2?

Impact of the Treaty of Versailles on World War 2. The Germans were forced to sign this treaty at the end of World War One, and it imposed many harsh restrictions and penalties on the nation. Germany was required to pay a vast amount of money as war reparations, which crippled the nation’s budget. In an already.

What was the Japanese invasion of Manchuria?

In 1931 the Japanese launched their invasion of Manchuria, a region of China. With its rich natural resources it was seen as an important strategic target. The army took it upon themselves to invade Manchuria, in direct violation of orders from the civil government in Tokyo. Over the next six years the Japanese army came to dominate the Japanese government, and Araki’s aggressive and expansionist Imperial Way Faction began to dominate the army. They continued to expand into China, leading to all-out war by 1937.

How did the League of Nations help prevent wars?

The means to prevent wars was to be through collective disarmament and solving disputes through arbitration and if need-be, economic sanctions. Between September 1934 and February 1935, the league had a maximum of 58 member states. Notably, the United States and Germany were not members of the League.

What was Hitler's philosophy?

Military expansion was at the heart of Hitler’s philosophy and was another leading cause of World War 2. He had a strong belief in the innate superiority of the German people. He also believed that the German’s deserved “ lebensraum”, meaning expanded geographic space to develop and grow as a society.

What was the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?

The Japanese saw this as an act of aggression. They had no source of oil within their territories, and few reserves. To acquiesce to the Americans and retreat from China was unthinkable. To them, there was only one option available: an invasion of the oil rich Dutch East Indies. However, they knew that to achieve that aim they would have to severely diminish the power of the US navy in the Pacific. This lead to the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7 th, 1941, and the beginning of hostilities in the Pacific Ocean theatre in World War Two.

Why is the Battle of Iwo Jima so famous?

The Battle of Iwo Jima is an iconic event, thanks largely due to Joe Rosenthal's photograph of the American flag being raised. But military analysts still argue whether the island's limited strategic value justified the costly action.

What was the greatest conflict in history?

The clashes that shaped the course of history. By David Hambling. Oct 14, 2020. . World War II was one of the greatest conflicts in history and was carried out on a scale almost impossible to grasp. In many ways it was the first modern war, in which airpower played a vital role both on land and at sea, but many actions were ultimately won by ...

What was the purpose of the Battle of Narva Bridgehead?

The battle consisted of two phases: the Battle for Narva Bridgehead and the Battle of Tannenberg Line; the USSR—Stalin in particular—wanted to take control of Estonia and use strategic locations in the country to attack Finland and Prussia via sea and air.

Why did Hitler throw more than a million German troops into the attack on Moscow?

More than a million German troops were thrown into the attack on Moscow as Hitler ordered that the city should be r azed to the ground rather than captured.

What was the significance of the Battle of Iwo Jima?

Twenty thousand Japanese defenders were dug in to an elaborate system of bunkers, caves, and tunnels. The attack was preceded by a massive naval and air bombardment lasting several days covering the entire island. Although outnumbered five to one and with no prospect of victory, the Japanese put up strong resistance and virtually none surrendered. Many positions could be cleared only out by hand grenades and flamethrowers, including the fearsome M4A3R3 Sherman "Zippo" flamethrower tanks.

How many Japanese defenders were dug in to the Japanese bunkers?

Twenty thousand Japanese defenders were dug in to an elaborate system of bunkers, caves, and tunnels. The attack was preceded by a massive naval and air bombardment lasting several days and covering the entire island. Although outnumbered five-to-one and with no prospect of victory, the Japanese put up strong resistance and virtually none surrendered.

How long did it take the Allies to surrender?

Once the Nazis gained air superiority, landings by sea followed. The Allies surrendered after two weeks of fighting.

Who led the fight for Indian nationalism against British rule in the 1920s?

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi led the fight for Indian nationalism against British rule in the 1920s. His celebrated use of nonviolent protest inspired similar movements in support of rights and freedoms around the globe. "Mahatma," which translates to "venerable" in Sanskrit, was an honorific first bestowed on him in 1914 in South Africa, and is now widely used.

Who was the leader of India in the 1920s?

Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948), political and spiritual leader of India. Public domain image. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi led the fight for Indian nationalism against British rule in the 1920s. His celebrated use of nonviolent protest inspired similar movements in support of rights and freedoms around the globe.

What was Lincoln's goal in 1863?

Lincoln's efforts to abolish slavery culminated in the Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued on Jan. 1, 1863. The measure prompted the Senate to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which permanently outlawed slavery.

Who was the 16th president of the United States?

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, and led the country through the tumultuous American Civil War, which was fought from 1861 to 1865. The war, fought over the contentious issue of slavery, began after several Southern states moved to secede, and formed the Confederate States of America.