Chapter+28+-+The+War+in+Europe

Chapter 28 - The War in Europe **
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 Originally with the outbreak of war, the United States did not join in the fighting. Following an idea of neutrality, once set in place by George Washington himself, the country provided both sides: the Axis and the Allies, with war goods. In comparison to the First World War, the Americans were less involved in the military leading of war. The British and the French leaders were more involved but they were definitely going to use the fresh recruitment of all the “green” American soldiers. There were several American Generals however, who were very involved and demonstrated military excellence in the field of combat. One such General was General George C. Marshall who was the army chief in staff. The Russians were in the German’s radar and were taking a large portion of the fighting. The Russians desired any form of invasion what would be early to put an end to the hardships they were enduring. The British wanted to launch a series of invasions around the Nazi empire and then a final invasion into France. This process would be longer, but have a more effective result. The Americans backed up the British military leaders. 

During the Second World War there was a lot more fighting in North Africa. Battles can be pinpointed to the Suez Canal at El Alamein, and even the Kasserine Pass in Tunisia. However the most important battle that took place did not happen in Africa. In fact, the battle of Stalingrad took place in Russia. Hitler, the leader of the Nazi regime wanted to invade Russia during the winter. Hitler committed such a large amount of soldiers and tanks and supplies to the battle of Stalingrad that he anticipated to win. The cold winter and the resistance of the Russians, Hitler was unable to continue and was forced to end his eastern offensive. It marked a turning point in which the Nazi empire would now take a defensive stand and the Allies would charge in with more offensive tactics. Churchill, the British prime minister, and president Franklin D. Roosevelt meet in Casablanca to discuss the course of action regarding the Axis powers. They decided to start with the Italian Campaign, where they invaded Sicily and marched the entire length of Italy driving the Germans out. Mussolini’s government collapsed and Mussolini’s successor filled his place. While invading Italy, the Allied troops finally noticed the “Final Solution” that Hitler desired. The Holocaust was finally revealed, but in a small scale. It would only be fully revealed towards the end of the war. The Allied troops then focused most of their efforts into rescuing the surviving Jews.  Most well known was the D-day invasion. Crafted by Eisenhower, the Allies planned to launch and invasion along the coast of France and push the Germans out. Once France was liberated it was isolated to a few more last attempts from the Germans to make an impact, like Hitler’s last offensive at the Battle of the Bulge. On May 8, 1945, Victory Day, the Axis unconditionally surrendered and it was an end to Hitler’s rule. 

Sources: [] [] [] [|http://www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org/36division/archives/443/images/map1.jpg] [|http://krlphotography.typepad.com/photos/historical_artifacts/stalingrad1.jpg] [|http://www.qualityinformationpublishers.com/historicalpictures/Nazi%20Concentration%20Camp5.GIF] [|http://top-10-list.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Concentration-Camps.jpg] [] [] American History: A Survey, 12th Edition (written by Alan Brinkley, pages 740-743)