Level 1
Which war was the most destructive conflict in history?
WWII
Describe the Battle of Algiers.
In 1956-1957, the FLN moved the war to cities, most notably Algiers. This battle was a series of terror attacks by FLN guerrillas, and reprisals by the French military. By moving the location the FLN hoped to gain more international attention and support. The French used the city atmosphere to their advantage by terrorizing the population and using torture to extract information. Thus rooting out many FLN fighters in Algiers. However, the use of torture turned French public opinion against the war.
To what extent did Hitler use anti-Semitism to push forward his agenda during WWII and gain support from citizens of Germany?
To a large extent. In the case of WW2, Hitler believed that he needed some way to blame someone for the failing economy, so he turned to the Jews, who were a small portion of the population. He made them up to be less superior than the rest of the population and responsible for the poor conditions in Germany, which was a two for one. He enforced his deeper ideology while also building up an army and new workforce, preparing for war.
Define decolonization
The global movement in the second half of the 20th century toward independence for territories that had been ruled as colonies of European states. The movement was especially prevalent in South Asia and Africa during this period. Decolonization could be accomplished by either peaceful or violent means.
Evaluate the effects of the Algerian War.
The most immediate effect was in the form of casualties. Estimates range from 500,000 to one million deaths. The French military experienced 18,000 dead and 53,000 wounded in the years from 1954-1962. After the fighting ended in 1962, there was a mass migration of pied noirs and harkis. Close to a million pied noirs fled to France in the wake of the FLN victory, putting a significant strain on French society in terms of housing and social programs.
How has war changed in regards to the Northern Yemen Civil War and the World Wars?
In regards to the Northern Yemen Civil War, the second half of the war coincided with a long drought, and the two forces in combination caused hunger, economic hardship, social dislocation, and many deaths in most parts of the country. Many of the non-combatants were harmed during this war, and both sides had severe, long-lasting damage to their countries. However, most of the deaths occurred not from war technologies, but through tactics created to damage the country’s economy and food supply. Nowadays, most of the deaths occur from these technologies such as in World War I and World War II. This is why the death tolls were so high in both wars.
What is guerrilla warfare?
A guerilla war involves irregular forces involved in an ongoing struggle with an established regular army. Tactical, strategic, and political goals are all closely related in most guerilla movements.
Discuss the strategies and tactics of warfare at sea during WWI.
Britain was able to obtain several victories through using trade blockade and the convoy system. Ships were allowed to enter Britain’s waterspace. This tactic prevented Germany from receiving crucial supplies to the war effort.
How does guerrilla war differ from conventional war?
Conventional warfare is fought by uniformed soldiers in organized units with the backing and support of host nations. These forces typically are well equipped, well trained, and have a logistics chain to supply them. Guerilla warfare differs in that it is conducted by civilians who have taken up arms, or by the remnants of defeated conventional forces, or a combination of both. These forces typically fight without the support of a nation’s government, do not wear uniforms, are not organized into specific divisions. They have minimal if any logistics chain, procuring material, weapons, munitions, and supplies either by purchase from arms dealers, unofficial supply from outside nations with an interest in the conflict, or through theft of their opposing force.
What inspired the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?
By 1941, Japan had occupied all of Indo-China, and were developing secret military plans. Because of this Roosevelt issued an embargo on all trade with Japan. This caused Japan’s oil reserves to run low. So, Japan started making a plan of attack. Pearl Harbor was a target because they wanted to damage the US fleet to an extent that it could not carry on operations in the Pacific.
How did Algeria gain independence?
In 1959 a declaration was made that the Algerians had the right to determine their own future. Despite terrorist acts by French Algerians opposed to independence and an attempted coup in France by elements of the French army, an agreement was signed in 1962, and Algeria became independent.
To what extent did war in the air support both sides of the war in WWI?
To a large extent. War in the air greatly benefitted both. British aircraft from Dunkirk bombed Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Friedrichshafen in 1914, the main objective being the sheds of the German dirigible airships, or Zeppelins. Raids by German airplanes on English towns in 1914 heralded a great Zeppelin offensive sustained with increasing intensity from 1915 to 1916.
What was the Compromise of 1970 (Northern Yemen Civil War)?
A political agreement between the republican and royalist factions. A republican government was formed in Yemen, incorporating members from the royalist faction but not the royal family. This compromise ended the Yemen Civil War.
What was the western front’s impact on the outcome of the war (WWI)?
The war along the Western Front led the German government and its allies to sue for peace in spite of German success elsewhere. As a result, the terms of the peace were dictated by France, Britain, and the United States, during the 1919 Paris Peace Conference.
How did Allied invasions affect the outcome of WWI?
The Allied invasions and fighting led to the disassembling of many government and military forces. This led to these outcomes of the war: the spread of communism from the Soviet Union into eastern Europe as well as its eventual triumph in China, and the global shift in power from Europe to two rival superpowers (the United States and the Soviet Union). Not many years later, both countries would face off against each other in the Cold War.