significant figures of world war ii
BENITO MUSSOLINI
Benito Mussolini introduced the idea of Fascism. He began the movement from 1919 to 1921 and used the March on Rome to become the prime minister and soon, dictator of Italy. He gained significant influence on Somalia, Libya and Ethiopia, giving him great power along the Mediterranean-Red Sea region. The King, Victor Emmanuel III gave way to Mussolini over his growing power. Soon, Mussolini appointed other fascists leaders to take on government positions. He welcomed new military thinking. He had imperial dreams of reviving the Holy Roman Empire that once was and was willing to use force.
Eventually, his wishful and fascist thinking took over his mind. He believed that his victory in battles such as the war in Spain and weakening of Britain and France was due to his genius. He wanted to gain larger power in the Mediterranean. He allied himself with Adolf Hitler in May of 1939 with the Rome-Berlin Axis. Mussolini believed that a war would take place between 1943 and 1945 but when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, Mussolini was blindsided, unprepared and humiliated. He was, however, convinced by Hitler to take place in what was believed to be a “short” war.
When the allied forces were increasingly victorious, Mussolini attempted to convince Hitler to make peace with Stalin. Hitler refused. Due to this, the King had tried to overthrow Mussolini yet Hitler made sure he remained in power and by that, Mussolini worked in favor of Hitler. He began to grow even larger fascists forces for the Nazi leader yet when Germany surrendered on April 1945, Mussolini was forced to flee. He was soon captured and on April 28th, and shot dead.
Benito Mussolini introduced the idea of Fascism. He began the movement from 1919 to 1921 and used the March on Rome to become the prime minister and soon, dictator of Italy. He gained significant influence on Somalia, Libya and Ethiopia, giving him great power along the Mediterranean-Red Sea region. The King, Victor Emmanuel III gave way to Mussolini over his growing power. Soon, Mussolini appointed other fascists leaders to take on government positions. He welcomed new military thinking. He had imperial dreams of reviving the Holy Roman Empire that once was and was willing to use force.
Eventually, his wishful and fascist thinking took over his mind. He believed that his victory in battles such as the war in Spain and weakening of Britain and France was due to his genius. He wanted to gain larger power in the Mediterranean. He allied himself with Adolf Hitler in May of 1939 with the Rome-Berlin Axis. Mussolini believed that a war would take place between 1943 and 1945 but when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, Mussolini was blindsided, unprepared and humiliated. He was, however, convinced by Hitler to take place in what was believed to be a “short” war.
When the allied forces were increasingly victorious, Mussolini attempted to convince Hitler to make peace with Stalin. Hitler refused. Due to this, the King had tried to overthrow Mussolini yet Hitler made sure he remained in power and by that, Mussolini worked in favor of Hitler. He began to grow even larger fascists forces for the Nazi leader yet when Germany surrendered on April 1945, Mussolini was forced to flee. He was soon captured and on April 28th, and shot dead.
CHARLES DE GAULLE
Charles de Gaulle, born in Lille, France 1890 had long been a part of the French military. He fought in World War One where he was taken prisoner and during 1919 and 1920, he was based in Poland with the French Military.
During World War Two, de Gaulle was in command of the armored division. For most of the war, the French and British forces were being heavily defeated by German’s Blitzkreig tactic which kept pushing the allied forces back. The French and British tanks were no match for Germany and de Gaulle was made to surrender French forces. After this, he escaped to Britain. He assumed a political role as his military one allowed him for very little flexibility. His main message was to call on the French to resist Nazi occupation.
As far as his personal relations went with other allied leaders, he was considered difficult to befriend. He rarely went out of his was, even though he had fought during both world wars. He took major offense in a particular Allied meeting in Casablanca. The meeting was held in French Morocco yet he was considered an invited guest. He believed that as the leader of France, he would instantly become an automatic leader of the meeting rather than guest. He believed he was viewed lower in class than the remaining allied leaders which severed his egotism. In June of 1943, de Gaulle was made the leader of the French Committee of National Liberation. A year later D-Day took place. De Gaulle was viewed as a national hero and was welcomed by the French people.
On October 23rd, 1944, after the liberation of France, he was officially recognized as the leader of the French government yet his ties with the allies continued to be weak. He began writing the constitution of France on which the Fourth Republic was based yet his views were undesirable and he resigned in 1969. In the 9th of November, 1970, Charles de Gaulle passed away due to a heart attack.
Charles de Gaulle, born in Lille, France 1890 had long been a part of the French military. He fought in World War One where he was taken prisoner and during 1919 and 1920, he was based in Poland with the French Military.
During World War Two, de Gaulle was in command of the armored division. For most of the war, the French and British forces were being heavily defeated by German’s Blitzkreig tactic which kept pushing the allied forces back. The French and British tanks were no match for Germany and de Gaulle was made to surrender French forces. After this, he escaped to Britain. He assumed a political role as his military one allowed him for very little flexibility. His main message was to call on the French to resist Nazi occupation.
As far as his personal relations went with other allied leaders, he was considered difficult to befriend. He rarely went out of his was, even though he had fought during both world wars. He took major offense in a particular Allied meeting in Casablanca. The meeting was held in French Morocco yet he was considered an invited guest. He believed that as the leader of France, he would instantly become an automatic leader of the meeting rather than guest. He believed he was viewed lower in class than the remaining allied leaders which severed his egotism. In June of 1943, de Gaulle was made the leader of the French Committee of National Liberation. A year later D-Day took place. De Gaulle was viewed as a national hero and was welcomed by the French people.
On October 23rd, 1944, after the liberation of France, he was officially recognized as the leader of the French government yet his ties with the allies continued to be weak. He began writing the constitution of France on which the Fourth Republic was based yet his views were undesirable and he resigned in 1969. In the 9th of November, 1970, Charles de Gaulle passed away due to a heart attack.
HARRY S. TRUMAN
Franklin D. Roosevelt served as the President of The United States for most of the war but soon after him came Harry S. Truman. Harry Truman grew as a political figurehead when he was a senator and in 1944 when, during the presidential election, Roosevelt found Truman to be a responsible man to hold the position of vice president. When Roosevelt won the election of 1944, he only served 82 days before passing away due to a stroke. Truman took his position and though it was short, it was memorable. With the war going on, Truman was forced to take role as commander in chief though he had no previous experience with foreign policy. In the first six months, he had managed to get the Germans’ to surrender and also ordered for the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which ultimately ended World War II. He also signed the charter which ratified the United Nations. Harry Truman passed away on December 26, 1972.
Franklin D. Roosevelt served as the President of The United States for most of the war but soon after him came Harry S. Truman. Harry Truman grew as a political figurehead when he was a senator and in 1944 when, during the presidential election, Roosevelt found Truman to be a responsible man to hold the position of vice president. When Roosevelt won the election of 1944, he only served 82 days before passing away due to a stroke. Truman took his position and though it was short, it was memorable. With the war going on, Truman was forced to take role as commander in chief though he had no previous experience with foreign policy. In the first six months, he had managed to get the Germans’ to surrender and also ordered for the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which ultimately ended World War II. He also signed the charter which ratified the United Nations. Harry Truman passed away on December 26, 1972.
JOSEPH STALIN
Joseph Stalin, born in December 1878, was a Russian dictator; he had total power over the Soviet Union during the 20th century. He became the leader after Vladimir Lenin (the founder of the soviet union) died. Stalin grew up with the Bolsheviks, a group of people that followed communism (a system in which property is owned by the society, each person in a communist society receives according to their ability). Stalin was a brutal leader; he cause chaos within Russia, led many riots and raised money by committing crimes. He was responsible for the deaths of over 20 million Russians; anyone who did not agree with him was killed. Stalin also led famine and starvation. During World War II, Stalin made an alliance with Adolf Hitler - the leader of Germany. Hitler hated Stalin and therefore, he made Germany launch a surprise attack on the Soviet Union in 1941. Stalin then joined Britain and the US and led the Soviet union into a fight with the Germans. The Germans were then defeated. After World War Two, Stalin started the Cold War, a war between Soviet Union and US. The Brutal leader lost his life on March 5th 1953.
Joseph Stalin, born in December 1878, was a Russian dictator; he had total power over the Soviet Union during the 20th century. He became the leader after Vladimir Lenin (the founder of the soviet union) died. Stalin grew up with the Bolsheviks, a group of people that followed communism (a system in which property is owned by the society, each person in a communist society receives according to their ability). Stalin was a brutal leader; he cause chaos within Russia, led many riots and raised money by committing crimes. He was responsible for the deaths of over 20 million Russians; anyone who did not agree with him was killed. Stalin also led famine and starvation. During World War II, Stalin made an alliance with Adolf Hitler - the leader of Germany. Hitler hated Stalin and therefore, he made Germany launch a surprise attack on the Soviet Union in 1941. Stalin then joined Britain and the US and led the Soviet union into a fight with the Germans. The Germans were then defeated. After World War Two, Stalin started the Cold War, a war between Soviet Union and US. The Brutal leader lost his life on March 5th 1953.
WINSTON CHURCHILL
Winston Churchill, born on November 20th 1874, was the Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II. His leadership and inspiring speeches pushed Britain to stand against Hitler and the Germans during the war. In his early life, Churchill attended the military, during his stay in the military he was sent to South Africa where he got captured and became a prisoner of war. When Churchill escaped to be rescued, he became a heroic figure in Britain. During the 1900’s, Churchill held different offices in the government and in politics. After the sudden occurrence of World War Two, Churchill was in command of the navy. The prime minister at that time, Neville Chamberlain, wanted to make peace with Germany by agreeing to their demands. Churchill knew that this would not work and that Germany will not make peace, instead Germany plans to take over Europe. Therefore, he warned the government and began planning a fight against Hitler. Britain’s government then replaced Chamberlain by Churchill. Churchill became prime minister on May 10 1940. After he took control, Germany invaded France, therefore, Britain was the only country in Europe fighting Germany. Churchill then created an alliance of with the Soviet Union and the United states. Even though Britain was not in good terms with the Soviet Union, he knew that they both needed each other’s aid to fight Germany. The British and their allies were eventually able to defeat Hitler and the Germans. After the war, Churchill was still a major leader in the government. He died on January 24th 1965.
Winston Churchill, born on November 20th 1874, was the Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II. His leadership and inspiring speeches pushed Britain to stand against Hitler and the Germans during the war. In his early life, Churchill attended the military, during his stay in the military he was sent to South Africa where he got captured and became a prisoner of war. When Churchill escaped to be rescued, he became a heroic figure in Britain. During the 1900’s, Churchill held different offices in the government and in politics. After the sudden occurrence of World War Two, Churchill was in command of the navy. The prime minister at that time, Neville Chamberlain, wanted to make peace with Germany by agreeing to their demands. Churchill knew that this would not work and that Germany will not make peace, instead Germany plans to take over Europe. Therefore, he warned the government and began planning a fight against Hitler. Britain’s government then replaced Chamberlain by Churchill. Churchill became prime minister on May 10 1940. After he took control, Germany invaded France, therefore, Britain was the only country in Europe fighting Germany. Churchill then created an alliance of with the Soviet Union and the United states. Even though Britain was not in good terms with the Soviet Union, he knew that they both needed each other’s aid to fight Germany. The British and their allies were eventually able to defeat Hitler and the Germans. After the war, Churchill was still a major leader in the government. He died on January 24th 1965.
CHIANG KAI SHEK
Chiang Kai Shek, born on 31st of October 1887, was the leader of the Kuomintang (KMT), the Chinese Nationalist party, who had strong feelings of commitment to their country, and was the leader of the Republic of China. In his early life, he went military training in Japan. In 1911, he returned to the newly created Republic of China. His job was to create and lead a nationalist army, he created The Guomindang, which was set up in canton.
In 1923, Chiang was sent to Moscow to study how the Communist Red Army of the Soviet Union worked. In 1925, when Yat-sen died, Chiang had advantages over his competitors, he led the Guomindang, and he was already politically active in China. By 1928, he took control of Canton, Beijing and Nanking. He had dictatorial powers over china, but the invasions over China during the 1930’s led to large areas not being under his control. Chiang did not seem as a valid leader of China as he was only concerned with the Guomindang and the areas he had power in. However, when the Japanese invaded Manchuria, an area in Northeast Asia controlled by China, Chiang took action as a legitimate leader of China. The Chinese army began rebellions because he was not using full force against Japan. To please his people, Chiang had to agree to stop using force against Chinese communist, instead he should put full power to defend Japan.
A united army against the Japanese made China stronger, but this cause the Japanese to launch an invasion against Chiang’s strongest military base in July 1937. Chiang had to move their capital to Chungking, and organised a battle against Japan. He became allies with the forces fighting Japan in the East. Chiang was seen as the post-war leader of China, as his power during the war was exaggerated. Chiang did nothing to the Japanese invaders; it was the communists that took action.
Furthermore, The Communist red army in Russia aimed to attack the Japanese invaders and help out the Chinese who were under the Japanese rule. In August 1945, the Red Army attacked the Guomindang’s army; this led to civil war in China after World War Two. The communist achieved victory as Beijing fell to the communists. Chiang had hope that America would help the military to retake Communist China. This never happened, but good relations between the countries ensured that Chiang does not get further attacks from communists in China. Chiang died in 1975.
Chiang Kai Shek, born on 31st of October 1887, was the leader of the Kuomintang (KMT), the Chinese Nationalist party, who had strong feelings of commitment to their country, and was the leader of the Republic of China. In his early life, he went military training in Japan. In 1911, he returned to the newly created Republic of China. His job was to create and lead a nationalist army, he created The Guomindang, which was set up in canton.
In 1923, Chiang was sent to Moscow to study how the Communist Red Army of the Soviet Union worked. In 1925, when Yat-sen died, Chiang had advantages over his competitors, he led the Guomindang, and he was already politically active in China. By 1928, he took control of Canton, Beijing and Nanking. He had dictatorial powers over china, but the invasions over China during the 1930’s led to large areas not being under his control. Chiang did not seem as a valid leader of China as he was only concerned with the Guomindang and the areas he had power in. However, when the Japanese invaded Manchuria, an area in Northeast Asia controlled by China, Chiang took action as a legitimate leader of China. The Chinese army began rebellions because he was not using full force against Japan. To please his people, Chiang had to agree to stop using force against Chinese communist, instead he should put full power to defend Japan.
A united army against the Japanese made China stronger, but this cause the Japanese to launch an invasion against Chiang’s strongest military base in July 1937. Chiang had to move their capital to Chungking, and organised a battle against Japan. He became allies with the forces fighting Japan in the East. Chiang was seen as the post-war leader of China, as his power during the war was exaggerated. Chiang did nothing to the Japanese invaders; it was the communists that took action.
Furthermore, The Communist red army in Russia aimed to attack the Japanese invaders and help out the Chinese who were under the Japanese rule. In August 1945, the Red Army attacked the Guomindang’s army; this led to civil war in China after World War Two. The communist achieved victory as Beijing fell to the communists. Chiang had hope that America would help the military to retake Communist China. This never happened, but good relations between the countries ensured that Chiang does not get further attacks from communists in China. Chiang died in 1975.
TOJO HIDEKI
Tojo Hideki (1884-1948) was an indecisive national leader of Japan during World War II. In the country, he was most commonly known as “razor Tojo” for his strict and uncompromising manner. In 1937, Tojo became Kwantung (Imperial Japanese Army) Army’s Chief of Staff. He quickly gained the Japanese public’s attention and was the main factor that contributed to hostility between Japan and China. His main goal was to force the Nationalist Chinese government to join forces with japan by occupying a large portion of Chinese territory. Tojo became army minister in 1940 and advocated enlargement of Chinese-Japanese conflict. Under his leadership, Japan became allies with Germany and Italy by the end of the year. The following year, in 1941, Tojo assumed the role of the prime minister of Japan. He approved attacks on the US, Great Britain, Dutch Indies and when the war started weakening Japan to a fragile state, Tojo Hideki took the positions of both prime minister and army minister. By then he had control on all home affairs (national matters including education, military, industry) and foreign affairs. However, he still couldn’t create a dictatorship like Joseph Stalin or Adolf Hitler like he intended to. Tojo was removed from power in 1944 when the U.S. took the Japanese islands of Saipan. After Japan surrendered in 1945, authorities wanted to arrest Tojo, which made him attempt suicide. The suicide attempt failed and he was tried as a war criminal and hanged on December 23 1948.
Tojo Hideki (1884-1948) was an indecisive national leader of Japan during World War II. In the country, he was most commonly known as “razor Tojo” for his strict and uncompromising manner. In 1937, Tojo became Kwantung (Imperial Japanese Army) Army’s Chief of Staff. He quickly gained the Japanese public’s attention and was the main factor that contributed to hostility between Japan and China. His main goal was to force the Nationalist Chinese government to join forces with japan by occupying a large portion of Chinese territory. Tojo became army minister in 1940 and advocated enlargement of Chinese-Japanese conflict. Under his leadership, Japan became allies with Germany and Italy by the end of the year. The following year, in 1941, Tojo assumed the role of the prime minister of Japan. He approved attacks on the US, Great Britain, Dutch Indies and when the war started weakening Japan to a fragile state, Tojo Hideki took the positions of both prime minister and army minister. By then he had control on all home affairs (national matters including education, military, industry) and foreign affairs. However, he still couldn’t create a dictatorship like Joseph Stalin or Adolf Hitler like he intended to. Tojo was removed from power in 1944 when the U.S. took the Japanese islands of Saipan. After Japan surrendered in 1945, authorities wanted to arrest Tojo, which made him attempt suicide. The suicide attempt failed and he was tried as a war criminal and hanged on December 23 1948.
ADOLF HITLER
Adolf Hitler was born in Austria in 1889. After being rejected as an artist, he participated in the WWI military service for four years Germany’s Western Front. He was a member of the Socialist German Workers Party (also known as Nazi) and rose to power within them a few years after the end of the First World War. In 1933, Hitler successfully took control over the German government. His plan was to extend Germany’s borders and occupy more land for the Aryans to settle and reproduce more of their race. The Aryan race, according to the Nazis, were any descendants from ancient Greece, ancient Rome, modern Scandinavia and Germany. They are commonly characterised by their pale skin and blue eyes. Hitler also aimed to eliminate any other race or group of people that had different or opposing views, including the Jews. Under his rule, concentration camps were established to capture and oppress Jews. This is known as the holocaust, where 6 million Jews died. Under Hitler’s leadership, Germany advanced and took over most of Europe and participated in war against the Allies (U.S., France, Britain, Soviet Union, China, etc) with the help of other countries including Italy, Japan, and Bulgaria. By the end of 1944, the Allies were closing in on Germany and Hitler expected defeat. Fearing the loss and too prideful to surrender, Hitler committed suicide on April 30 1945.
Adolf Hitler was born in Austria in 1889. After being rejected as an artist, he participated in the WWI military service for four years Germany’s Western Front. He was a member of the Socialist German Workers Party (also known as Nazi) and rose to power within them a few years after the end of the First World War. In 1933, Hitler successfully took control over the German government. His plan was to extend Germany’s borders and occupy more land for the Aryans to settle and reproduce more of their race. The Aryan race, according to the Nazis, were any descendants from ancient Greece, ancient Rome, modern Scandinavia and Germany. They are commonly characterised by their pale skin and blue eyes. Hitler also aimed to eliminate any other race or group of people that had different or opposing views, including the Jews. Under his rule, concentration camps were established to capture and oppress Jews. This is known as the holocaust, where 6 million Jews died. Under Hitler’s leadership, Germany advanced and took over most of Europe and participated in war against the Allies (U.S., France, Britain, Soviet Union, China, etc) with the help of other countries including Italy, Japan, and Bulgaria. By the end of 1944, the Allies were closing in on Germany and Hitler expected defeat. Fearing the loss and too prideful to surrender, Hitler committed suicide on April 30 1945.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
Franklin D. Roosevelt, born in 1882, was the 32nd President of the United States and the longest president in office. He led the United States through the Great Depression and WWII. During the early years of the war, U.S. remained neutral but FDR convinced the congress to aid the allies by sending supplies and services worth $50 billion dollars in total by the end of the war. Although he was known to be against American interference in the war, it is rumored that he was waiting for any aggression that triggers the U.S. into joining. The first sign was when German U-boats accidentally hit American ships, however, Hitler immediately apologized to the U.S. in fear of its involvement. Furthermore, in the East, there was hostility between Japan and the U.S.. Roosevelt ordered the decrease of exports of oil and metal to the Japanese. This made Japan attack Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The congress allowed mobilization (arrangement) of troops and reinforcements to be sent. A day later, Roosevelt asked the congress to join the war. On December 11, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. Roosevelt led the Americans through the entirety of the war except the last four months in which he had a sudden death due to cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1945. |