COMO FOI A SEGUNDA GUERRA MUNDIAL? | QUER QUE DESENHE? | DESCOMPLICA

Summary

In this episode of 'Quer Que Desenhe?', Renato Pellizzari breaks down the causes, key events, and aftermath of World War II. From the repercussions of the Treaty of Versailles to the rise of Adolf Hitler, the video highlights crucial moments like the invasion of Poland, the Battle of Stalingrad, and D-Day. The script also touches on the role of women during the war and the creation of the United Nations. With a focus on the devastating human cost of the conflict, Pellizzari provides an insightful, engaging overview of one of history's most catastrophic wars.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Second World War resulted in an estimated 50 to 80 million deaths, including 6 million Jews during the Holocaust, and spanned six years from 1939 to 1945.
• 😀 Adolf Hitler played a significant role in igniting the war, but the complex causes of the conflict involve political, economic, and social tensions, especially in post-World War I Germany.
• 😀 The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, imposed harsh penalties on Germany, contributing to political and economic instability, and helping Hitler's rise to power.
• 😀 Hitler's expansionist goals were outlined in his book Mein Kampf, and his policies were fueled by the desire to unite all Germanic peoples into a 'Greater Reich.'
• 😀 The policy of appeasement by European powers like Britain and France allowed Hitler to expand German territory in the 1930s without immediate consequences.
• 😀 In 1939, Hitler's invasion of Poland marked the official beginning of World War II, leading to the formation of alliances between the Allies and the Axis powers.
• 😀 The Axis powers, including Germany, Italy, and Japan, initially gained momentum using Blitzkrieg tactics, with notable victories in Denmark, Norway, and France in 1940.
• 😀 Despite early successes, the turning points of the war came with the Soviet Union's victory at Stalingrad and the Allied landings in Normandy (D-Day) in 1944.
• 😀 The United States joined the war after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, leading to a significant shift in the balance of power in favor of the Allies.
• 😀 The war in the Pacific ended after the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, forcing Japan's surrender and marking the end of World War II.
• 😀 The war's aftermath led to the creation of the United Nations (UN) in 1945, designed to prevent future global conflicts and address the tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Q & A

What was the main cause of the Second World War?

The main cause of the Second World War was Adolf Hitler and the aggressive expansionist policies of Nazi Germany. While other factors contributed, Hitler's rise to power and the resentment in Germany due to the Treaty of Versailles were central to the war's outbreak.

What were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles for Germany?

The Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to take full responsibility for World War I, lose significant territory, disarm, and pay huge reparations. These conditions led to political, economic, and social unrest in Germany, which paved the way for Hitler's rise to power.

What was the Policy of Appeasement, and how did it affect the start of the Second World War?

The Policy of Appeasement was a strategy where European powers, particularly Britain and France, avoided confronting Hitler's early territorial expansions in an attempt to prevent another war. This emboldened Hitler and ultimately led to further aggression, such as the invasion of Poland in 1939, triggering the war.

How did Hitler's actions escalate the conflict before the war officially began?

Hitler began by violating the Treaty of Versailles, rearming Germany in 1934, and pursuing territorial expansions like the annexation of Austria and Czechoslovakia. In 1939, Germany invaded Poland, marking the official start of the war.

What was the significance of the Non-Aggression Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union?

The Non-Aggression Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union, signed in 1939, was important because it allowed Hitler to focus on conquering Western Europe without worrying about a Soviet invasion. However, Hitler later broke the pact in 1941 by invading the Soviet Union.

What was the Blitzkrieg strategy used by Germany?

Blitzkrieg, or 'lightning war,' was a military strategy that involved rapid, coordinated attacks using infantry, tanks, and air support to overwhelm opponents quickly. This tactic was successfully used by Germany in the invasions of Denmark, Norway, France, and other European countries.

What was the turning point in the war on the Eastern Front?

The turning point on the Eastern Front was the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942-1943, where the Soviet Union decisively defeated the German Army. This marked the beginning of the Soviet advance towards Germany and changed the course of the war.

What was the significance of D-Day in the Allied victory?

D-Day, or the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944, was a crucial turning point where Allied forces landed in France to begin the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control. This event was essential in the final defeat of Germany.

How did the United States' involvement in the war impact its outcome?

The United States' entry into the war, particularly after the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan in 1941, provided crucial military and industrial support to the Allies. This shifted the balance in favor of the Allies and contributed significantly to the defeat of the Axis powers.

What were the long-term consequences of the Second World War?

The Second World War led to the establishment of the United Nations, the beginning of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, and significant geopolitical shifts. Europe was left devastated, and many countries experienced major social and political changes, including the empowerment of women in the workforce.