World War II Research Essay Topics

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Students are often required to write a paper on a topic as broad as World War II , but you should know that the instructor will expect you to narrow your focus to a specific thesis. This is especially true if you are in high school or college. Narrow your focus by making a list of words, much like the list of words and phrases that are presented in bold type below. Then begin to explore related questions and come up with your own cool WWII topics. The answer to questions like these can become a good starting point for a thesis statement .

Culture and People

When the U.S. entered into war, everyday life across the country changed drastically. From civil rights, racism, and resistance movements to basic human needs like food, clothing, and medicine, the aspects of how life was impacted are immense.

  • African-Americans and civil rights. What impact did the war years have on the rights of African-Americans? What were they allowed or not allowed to do?
  • Animals. How were horses, dogs, birds, or other animals used? Did they play a special role?
  • Art. What art movements were inspired by wartime events? Is there one specific work of art that tells a story about the war?
  • Clothing. How was fashion impacted? How did clothing save lives or hinder movement? What materials were used or not used?
  • Domestic violence. Was there an increase or decrease in cases?
  • Families. Did new family customs develop? What was the impact on children of soldiers?
  • Fashion. Did fashion change significantly for civilians? What changes had to be made during wartime?
  • Food preservation. What new preservation and packaging methods were used during and after the war? How were these helpful?
  • Food rationing. How did rationing impact families? Were rations the same for different groups of people? Were soldiers affected by rations?
  • Love letters. What do letters tell us about relationships, families, and friendships? What about gender roles?
  • New words. What new vocabulary words emerged during and after WWII?
  • Nutrition. Were there battles that were lost or won because of the foods available? How did nutrition change at home during the war because of the availability of certain products?
  • Penicillin and other medicine. How was penicillin used? What medical developments occurred during and after the war?
  • Resistance movements. How did families deal with living in an occupied territory?
  • Sacrifices. How did family life change for the worse?
  • Women's work at home. How did women's work change at home during the war? What about after the war ended?

Economy and Workforce

For a nation that was still recovering from the Great Depression, World War II had a major impact on the economy and workforce. When the war began, the fate of the workforce changed overnight, American factories were repurposed to produce goods to support the war effort and women took jobs that were traditionally held by men, who were now off to war.

  • Advertising. How did food packaging change during the war? How did advertisements change in general? What were advertisements for?
  • Occupations. What new jobs were created? Who filled these new roles? Who filled the roles that were previously held by many of the men who went off to war?
  • Propaganda. How did society respond to the war? Do you know why?
  • Toys. How did the war impact the toys that were manufactured?
  • New products. What products were invented and became a part of popular culture? Were these products present only during war times, or did they exist after?

Military, Government, and War

Americans were mostly against entering the war up until the bombing of Pearl Harbor, after which support for the war grew, as did armed forces. Before the war, the US didn't have the large military forces it soon became known for, with the war resulting in over 16 million Americans in service.   The role the military played in the war, and the impacts of the war itself, were vast.

  • America's entry into the war. How is the timing significant? What factors are not so well known?
  • Churchill, Winston. What role did this leader play that interests you most? How did his background prepare him for his role?
  • Clandestine operations. Governments went to great lengths to hide the true date, time, and place of their actions.
  • Destruction. Many historic cities and sites were destroyed in the U.K.—Liverpool, Manchester, London, and Coventry—and in other nations.
  • Hawaii. How did events impact families or society in general?
  • The Holocaust. Do you have access to any personal stories?
  • Italy. What special circumstances were in effect?
  • " Kilroy was here ." Why was this phrase important to soldiers? 
  • Nationalist Socialist movement in America. What impact has this movement had on society and the government since WWII?
  • Political impact. How was your local town impacted politically and socially?
  • POW camps after the war. Where were they and what happened to them after the war? Here's a starting point: Some were turned into race tracks after the war!
  • Prisoners of war. How many POWs were there? How many made it home safely? What were some long-lasting effects?
  • Spies. Who were the spies? Were they men or women? What side were they on? What happened to spies that were caught?
  • Submarines. Were there enemy submarines on a coast near you? What role did submarines play in the war?
  • Surviving an attack. How were military units attacked? How did it feel to jump from a plane that was disabled?
  • Troop logistics. How were troop movements kept secret? What were some challenges of troop logistics?
  • Views on freedom. How was freedom curtailed or expanded?
  • Views on government's role. Where was the government's role expanded? What about governments elsewhere?
  • War crime trials. How were trials conducted? What were the political challenges or consequences? Who was or wasn't tried?
  • Weather. Were there battles that were lost or won because of the weather conditions? Were there places where people suffered more because of the weather?
  • Women in warfare. What roles did women play during the war? What surprises you about women's work in World War II?

Technology and Transportation

With the war came advancements in technology and transportation, impacting communications capabilities, the spread of news, and even entertainment.

  • Bridges and roads. What transportation-related developments came from wartime or postwar policies?
  • Communication. How did radio or other types of communication impact key events?
  • Motorcycles. What needs led to the development of folding motorcycles? Why was there widespread use of military motorcycles by the government?
  • Technology. What technology came from the war and how was it used after the war?
  • TV technology. When did televisions start to appear in homes and what is significant about the timing? What TV shows were inspired by the war and how realistic were they? How long did World War II affect TV programming?
  • Jet engine technology. What advances can be traced to WWII needs?
  • Radar. What role did radar play, if any?
  • Rockets. How important was rocket technology?
  • Shipbuilding achievements. The achievements were quite remarkable during the war. Why and how did they happen?

"America's Wars Fact Sheet." U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, May 2017.

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World War 2 Research Topics

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They say that it is wise to learn from one's own mistakes. Indeed, analyzing one's past and realizing what went wrong helps avoid making the same mistakes. For this reason, good WW2 essay topics are extremely important, as they deal with a disastrous event in humanity's history. While choosing one of the World War II paper topics, remember that every detail matters, and no place in the world has not been affected by the war.

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List the good World War II research topics you might use to research and compose your paper.

World War II Research Topics

  • The history of the creation of The Allies of WWII.
  • Zygmunt Berling and his contribution to the anti-Nazi movement in Poland.
  • Participation of the U.S. in World War II: ambivalent motives.
  • The army of India during WWII: 2,5 million volunteers who fought for freedom.
  • The position and participation of Australia in World War II.
  • German occupation of Belgium during WWII: how the civilian life was organized.
  • The role of Polish military shock troops in the battles of WW2.
  • The reasons for Japan's joining the Axis in World War 2.
  • Creation and effectiveness of the Korean Liberation Army. How the concept of the Korean army changed after the end of World War II.
  • Governments of different countries committed War Crimes during World War II.
  • The role of Belgian resistance groups in the course of the war within the country: the impact on nation's views and attitudes.
  • The Axis in WWII: Military involvement of different countries during the war.
  • The Bretton Woods system was a necessary measure of dealing with the destructive consequences of WWII.
  • Changes in the political and economic systems of Yugoslavia during World War II.
  • Ideological principles used by the Axis. The literature and philosophy are used as a basis for their actions.
  • Norwegian Campaign: the brightest attempt for liberation during World War II.
  • Hungarian position in WWII: collaboration with Germany and the attempt to make peace.
  • Social and economic conditions in Italy during the years of WWII.
  • Polish military forces in USSR: contribution to the course of the war.
  • The passive participation of Egypt in World War II: the country's land was used as a battlefield.
  • 1943 Bengal famine: the tragic outcome of the war on an unbelievable scale.
  • Hitler and Mussolini's debates over Austrian Nazis: the interests of each party.
  • The Nazi's extermination camps: organization, activity, importance.
  • USSR leaders' intention to join the Axis. Why it did not happen: a research into the details.
  • Molotov-Ribbentrop pact and its significance for the course of the war.
  • The political and economic changes introduced by Reichskommissariat Ukraine.
  • The controversial position of Thailand during WWII: ambivalent values and interests of the country's government.
  • List the countries that maintained total neutrality during the war. Is it ethically approvable for you to stay out of a conflict of the world's scale?
  • Resistance movement in Denmark during World War II: subtle work on political agenda spreading.
  • Joseph Stalin's changing position regarding the Nazis during WWII.
  • The idea of the Latin Block was created in Spain during WWII.
  • Division of the territory of France during World War II.
  • The reasons for the Pearl Harbor attack and its impact on WWII course.
  • How the modern world would look if the Axis gained victory in World War II?
  • Leaders of the Axis: personal qualities as a key factor in forming the history of humanity.
  • The concept of Blitzkrieg, its participants, and philosophy.
  • Operation "Barbarossa": How it was organized.
  • World War II in the Islamic world.
  • How WWII impacted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  • Social and economic changes in the British Empire during WWII.
  • Shifts in the U.S. social moods during the Great Depression and WWII.
  • Forced participation of Chinese laborers in World War II.
  • Soviet Partisan movement: subtle fight behind the battlefield.
  • Red Army strategies and military innovations.
  • Biological weapons developed in Japan during World War 2.
  • The economic situation of the opposing parties in World War II.
  • Ambitions of Hitler: The goals Fuhrer aimed at.
  • The phenomenon of the Holocaust during WW2: geography, scope, numbers.
  • European Settlement: the aftermath of the World War II.
  • Myths and stereotypes about the Nazis army.
  • Shocking stories of the Red Army's interaction with civilian Germans.
  • Lithuanian Revolution of 1940: political reforms during the war.
  • The impact of WWII on the environment of the Earth.
  • The Baltic States in World War II.
  • Battle of the Bulge: A detailed analysis of the military episode.
  • Europe was a field for Hitler and Stalin's competition.
  • The opposition of the USSR and Finland in 1940. The Finnish resolution.
  • Hirota foreign policy and its significance in the conditions of World War II.
  • Jewish children: destinies of the Holocaust. Analysis of the documented cases.
  • Personalities of the generals appointed by Stalin.
  • The power of the Third Reich during World War II.
  • War design: how Hitler planned WWII.
  • 1941 Campaign: a turning point during the war for the USSR.
  • The fall of Berlin: reasons, participants, the aftermath.
  • The closest circle of Hitler: a view of his plans from within.
  • Nazi massacre in Rome: human factor in the global tragedy.
  • Pacific War in the conditions of World War 2. Political rearrangements of the participating
  • Volunteer armies in World War II: the motivation of civilians to achieve fairness.
  • Information encoding in secret messaging during World War II.
  • Mussolini's position and motives in World War II.
  • Comparison of economic and political powers in Europe before World War II and after the end of the war.
  • Is the current conflict between Israel and Palestine in any way rooted in the Second World War?
  • The recent rise in Anti-Semitism – Have we learned nothing from World War 2?
  • Examine the role of the Secret Service during WW2.
  • The role of women in World War II.
  • Was the attack on Hiroshima justifiable?
  • Rights of African Americans and WW2.
  • The impact of World War 2 on ordinary people.
  • The effect of WWII on Canada.
  • Effect of Propaganda during the Second World War.

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World War 2 Essay Topics: 50+ Ideas and Examples for Your Paper

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by  Antony W

December 5, 2023

world war 2 essay topics

Perhaps the most difficult part about writing an essay on World War 2 is to find a title. Brainstorming ideas and doing preliminary research to determine if a topic is good can take a lot of time. To make the ideation process easier for you, we’ve put together a list of 50+ topics that you might love.

World War II is a broad subject. So you want to make sure you first read the assignment brief and narrow down your focus on a specific area that you can cover within the scope of the assignment.

Of course, a list of 50+ prewritten topics means you have an unlimited option when it comes to topic selection. Yet, given that you can cover only one topic at a time, it’s best to single out what topic would be best for you to explore and then develop it based on the assignment brief.  

Key Takeaways

  • While World War II is a broad area with hundreds of History essay topics , your focus should be on a specific topic that you can explore within the scope of the assignment.
  • Choose a topic that you find fascinating, especially if falls within a theme that you’ve always wanted to explore.
  • Refer to the assignment prompt if you’re in doubt about your topic, or seek guidance from your teacher for further clarity.

50+ Best World War 2 Essay Topics: 50+ Ideas for Your Paper

The following is a list of some of the best World War II topics for your next essay assignment:

Economy and Workforce Topics

The United States was already struggling to recover from the Great Depression, which means that World War II did have a severe effect on the economy and workforce of the states. Here are some topic ideas to consider.

  • You can write an essay on how food packaging evolved during the war and the changes that occurred in advertisements.
  • What were the newly created job roles, and who filled these new positions during the war
  • Explain how the society reacted to the war’s propaganda, as well as the underlying reasons for these responses.
  • How did Word War II alter the production of toys during the period that it lasted?
  • What were the new products introduced that became part of popular culture during and after the war?

Culture and People Topics

Your essay can focus on the drastic changes to life after the United States of America got into World War II. From racism and civil rights to basic needs and resistance movements, here are some example topics to consider:

  • What changes occurred in the rights of African-Americans during wartime?
  • Did horses, dogs, birds, or other animals hold specific significance or functions in World War II?
  • Was there a rise or decline in domestic violence cases during this period?
  • Explain how the children of soldiers cope with the impact of the World War II.
  • What changes did civilian fashion undergo during World War II and what were the impacts of the alterations?
  • What do letters reveal about relationships, families, and gender roles during the World War II period?
  • How was penicillin used, and was there any medical progress during and after the war?

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Technology and Transportation Topics

World War II contributed quite significantly to the development of transportation and technology . This change the way news spread, how people entertained themselves, and the way human beings communicated. Here are some topic ideas that fit into this area:

  • What advancements in transportation infrastructure emerged from wartime or postwar policies, specifically in bridges and roads?
  • Explain how radio or other communication methods influence significant events.
  • Write about the needs that drove the creation of folding motorcycles and why military motorcycles in use wide use by the government?
  • State the technologies that originated from the war and explain their implementation after the World War II.
  • Which TV shows drew inspiration from the war, and how accurate were they?
  • Can we attribute the progress in jet engine technology to the World War II?
  • How crucial was rocket technology during this period?
  • Why and how did remarkable shipbuilding accomplishments occur during the war?

World War II Argumentative Essay Topics

An argumentative essa y topic on the Second World War requires you to take a side and use evidence, statistics, and reasons to defend that position. You’ll have to look at both sides of the arguments, but then use the strongest pieces of evidence to explain why you believe your take on the topic (or issue) is more believable than the other is.  Here are some examples:

  • Did the World War II even alter the global balance of power?
  • Evaluate the roles played by nationalism, imperialism, and totalitarianism in causing WWII.
  • Are there controversies surrounding the use of atomic bombs during the World War II?
  • Look at the factors that facilitated the Holocaust on a massive scale during the Second World War.
  • Did women have a strong contribution to the World War II and was their fight for equality during the time reasonable?
  • Did propaganda affect public perception during the World War II?
  • The World War II did not play a big contribution to the technological and scientific progress at the time.
  • Was the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II a violation of their civil rights?

World War II History Topics

  • How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to and influence the outbreak of World War II?
  • Explain the factors that led to the ascension of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.
  • Assess the importance of the Battle of Britain in halting German advancement.
  • What role did Winston Churchill play in guiding Britain through World War II?
  • Examine the tactics and significant battles in the Pacific during World War 2.
  • Analyze how resistance movements in occupied Europe contributed to the Allies’ success.

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About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

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World War II (1939–1945)

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Suggested Essay Topics

1 . How and why was Germany allowed to annex Austria and the Sudetenland? Was there any justification for Britain and France’s policy of appeasement?

2 . Discuss the role that Italy played in World War II. How did the nation become involved in the conflict? How did its participation affect the direction of the war and Germany’s fortunes?

3 . Discuss the issues surrounding the United States’ decision to use atomic bombs against Japan. What motives were behind this action, and what arguments have been made against it?

4 . Explain how the situation in Europe immediately following the fall of Germany led directly to the Cold War. In your opinion, should the Western Allies have acted to oppose Soviet domination of Eastern Europe?

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157 World War 2 Essay Topics + Examples

If you’re searching for compelling World War 2 topics for projects, presentations, or essays, you’ve come to the right place! StudyCorgi has compiled a list of WW2 topics and questions to research or talk about. Feel free to use these essay topics as inspiring ideas for your writing assignments!

🔥 7 Hottest WW2 Essay Topics

🏆 best ww2 topics to write about, 💡 interesting world war 2 research topics, 👍 good world war ii research topics & essay examples, ✅ simple world war 2 essay ideas, ❓ research questions about world war 2, 💣 world war 2 topics for a project, 📝 ww2 research topics.

  • Pacific Theater of World War II
  • World War II Was a Continuation of World War I
  • Consequences of World War I and World War II
  • World War II Was Avoidable
  • World War II, Its Origins and Consequences
  • World War II: Causes, Objectives, and Lessons Learned
  • Realist Theory View on World War II
  • World War II-Occupations: What New Jobs Were Created? This paper discusses occupations in civil activity, in national defense, and to farm labor, and the evolution of unusual occupations from world war II military designation.
  • Social Changes Caused by World War II This essay examines the most common social changes stemming from World War II and the reasons behind their occurrence.
  • World War II, Its Causes and Long-Term Effects World War II resulted in a decisive power shift away from the leading European states to the Soviet Union and the United States.
  • Japan After World War II: Main Events and Modifications This paper aims to investigate the situation in which Japan found itself after the events of World War II and how it influenced its society, culture and economic development.
  • WWII and Iraq War Comparative Analysis This paper critically analyzes the use of theories to compare and possibly contrast the two wars, World War II and the War in Iraq.
  • World War II: Why Germans Lost and Allies Won World War II began with Germany’s attack on Poland in 1939 and ended with the attack on Japan’s Hiroshima in 1945 with the atomic bomb.
  • The Outcomes of World War II: Impact of Technology World War II’s scientific and technological accomplishments were among the most significant and long-lasting effects of a struggle that affected every aspect of society.
  • Political, Cultural, Economic, and Social Implications of WWII for Germany This paper aims to analyze the transformation that happened to Germany after WWII: Political, cultural, economic, and social implications.
  • Japan’s Transformation After World War II Despite the high technological level and dynamism, the economy of Japan remained as an economy of an industrial country and continued developing based on industrial dominants.
  • Why World War II Was Inevitable The paper states that World War II was the most global war in human history. The war was inevitable and would start sooner or later.
  • South Africa in World War II The paper states that without South African ports, thousands of Allies’ troops of World War II would not have reached the Middle East theatre.
  • The Battle of Britain During World War II The Battle of Britain was the first large-scale military campaign in history to be fought exclusively in the air. It was part of World War II.
  • Russian Climate and German Progression in WWII The country’s climate is close to generally continental, even though as it rises from west to east, the influence of the Atlantic Ocean reduces.
  • Churchill’s Leadership as a British Prime Minister During World War II The objective of this paper is to analyze Churchill’s leadership qualities, characteristics, and leadership traits that contributed to his success during the Battle of Britain.
  • The World War II Recruitment Poster Analysis This paper discusses a poster that was created during World War II to recruit men and women for the Women’s Army Corps and the U.S. Marines.
  • World War II: Impact on American Society World War II had a tremendous impact on people, and its end promoted the middle and working-class Americans to live a better life than they lived before the war.
  • Social Effects in the West After World War II The post-war period was marked by changes in all spheres of social life including social security reforms and employment.
  • History of Aviation in World War I and World War II Aviation history has various periods that crafted its unique story. It began before the seventeenth century and is known for several momentous events that led to its development, such as World War I and World War II.
  • Escape from Sobibor: World War 2 Holocaust Escape from Sobibor is one of the many movies that focus on the mass murder of Jews in German concentration camps.
  • Women in the Workplace After WWII To understand how the position of women in the workplace changed after World War II was over, it is necessary to understand what conditions there were before the end of this war.
  • World War II: The Influence on Japan Japan experienced a major shift in its economy, politics, legal framework, culture, and society as a direct result of World War II.
  • Japan’s Position Regarding World War II The history of Japan in the Second World War is ambiguous. The main debate in this area is the position of Japan in the conflict.
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  • Cinema During the Great Depression and WWII
  • Why Were the Japanese So Cruel in World War 2?
  • Jewish Resistance During World War 2
  • Relationship Between World War 1 and World War 2
  • How the Versailles Treaty Helped Cause World War II?
  • Europe After World War 2
  • American Foreign Policy Since World War 2
  • The Battle Between Russia and Germany During the WW2
  • Australia and World War 2
  • Crime Rates During World War II
  • American Families During WW2
  • How Did American Foreign Policy Change After World War 2?
  • The Changing Foreign Policy and Alliances During WWII
  • Innovations During World War 2
  • The Holocaust and the Nazi Regime During World War 2
  • Poland Was the Aggressor in World War II
  • How Was Air Security Changed After World War 2?
  • Women and Society After WWII
  • Benito Mussolini and His Impact on World War 2
  • Japanese Internment During World War II Japanese-American internment refers to the forced relocation of numerous Japanese Americans to detention camps by the United States Government during World War II.
  • World War II Effects on American Women and Minority Groups The Second World War had a mixed impact on women and minority groups while some minority groups became even more oppressed.
  • American Women in World War II American women in World War II became engaged in numerous missions that’s why the importance of the role and objectives of American women in World War II should be investigated.
  • Effects of World War II on the Economy and Culture of the U.S. The paper states that WWII affected the U.S economy negatively more than it positively contributed to its growth and sustainability.
  • World War I vs. World War II Differences The paper states that there is often a discourse among military historians that the First and Second World Wars are one event or two different ones.
  • World War II: Holocaust and Discrimination of the Jews The research paper aims to review several primary and secondary sources discussing the World War II and specifically the discrimination faced by the Jews.
  • The Role of the Nazi Ideology in World War II World War II is characterized by the growth of the Nazi ideology, which became the primary factor leading to genocide, civilian murders, and violence peculiar to military actions.
  • Changes in Practices of Warfare Since World War II The most important and striking trend in the change in the practice of warfare in the world is that the number of armed conflicts has significantly decreased.
  • Las Pachucas During World War II World War II led to social changes and the destruction of old formations with the subsequent creation of new ones. This tendency may be traced to the example of Pachucas.
  • World War II and Communism Impact on the US Over the decades, the central economic policy that contributed to the significant growth index in America has been capitalism.
  • Fighter Planes: The Role in World War II Fighter planes played the most important role during World War II. These planes were the fastest and easiest to maneuver as they even could be controlled remotely.
  • Air Defense Artillery in World War II The history of Air Defense Artillery as an independent branch of the United States Army started on the 20th of June 1968.
  • “Battle of Tinian” Role in World War II The Tinian Island in World War II represented one of the core strategic areas that were central to the U.S. army’s success in fighting the enemy.
  • American Presidency During World War II and the Cold War World War II and the advent of the Cold War taught many lessons regarding the American presidency, especially on matters of foreign military policies and strategies.
  • “Children in the Holocaust and World War II” by Holliday The book “Children in the Holocaust and World War II” describes what difficulties a brother and a sister experienced in the Lodz Ghetto in Poland during World War II.
  • World War II Atrocities: Crimes Against Humanity This paper focuses on the crimes against humanity in World War II. The crimes are not on the battlefield and are unconnected with specific military activities.
  • World War II: Maskirovka Military Deception and Denials Operations This paper investigates the impact of maskirovka military deception and denials operations, a component of information warfare. The case study is set during World War II.
  • The United States and the World War II: Fighting on Two Fronts The Second World War became the most significant conflict in human history because more than 50 million people were killed, including civilians and jews.
  • World War II in the Pacific Region While it is a belief that the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on February 7, 1941, was a massive success for the Axis forces, Imperial Japan failed to achieve all its objectives.
  • The Role of American Women in World War II World War II empowered women and opened their liberties as equal citizens of the U.S. Women played a critical effort in the war, reducing the gap in industrial labor.
  • The Rise and Fall of Communism After World War II Czechoslovakia’s communism was flawed and destined for failure, being devoted to the Russian paradigm and unsuited for a better-industrialized society.
  • Battle of the Midway During World War II The Battle of Midway Atoll was a major naval battle of World War II in the Pacific in June 1942. The victory of the US Navy marked a turning point in the Pacific War.
  • Post-World War II Civil Rights Movements The post-war time period was essential for all the minorities who chose to protest for their rights to be established and protected by the US government.
  • The United States’ Participation in World War II While the United States had significant resources and influence in the West, the country could not have prevented the occurrence of the Second World War.
  • World War II: The History of Hiroshima and Nagasaki World War II was a global war that perpetrated the greatest struggle for mankind. This paper undertakes a critical review of why the United States deployed atomic bombs on Japan.
  • What Effect Did the World War II Wartime Experience Have on African Americans? World War II was the battle of all races: white, Asian, and Black people. This essay will discover whether they were treated differently during and after the initial strife.
  • World War II: “Once Upon a Time” Book by Humphrey The paper reviews Humphrey’s book Once Upon a Time: The 99th Division in World War II based on the USA’s patriotism, internal divisions, and unity of purpose themes.
  • Divisions Between the Soviet Union and the USA at the End of the WWII The current paper uses examples to present the issues that led to the division between the United States and the Soviet Union after the Second World War.
  • Communism in Europe and America After World War II A review of the factors leading to communist growth in Europe and its failure in the United States is valuable for understanding this critical historical period and its outcomes.
  • Camps for Displaced Persons After the End of World War II In the years after the end of World War II, there were many camps for displaced persons – the liberated people had nowhere to return, or it was challenging to do.
  • Change of Population in the USA Since World War Two The population of the minorities since World War II experienced a notable increase. The minority group is consists of Hispanics, Asians, and the growing American Indian people.
  • African Americans During World War II During World War II, African Americans served in every capacity while simultaneously struggling to advance their status in society and gain more civil rights.
  • Nazis Prosecution for the World War II Crimes The violence introduced to the world by Nazi Germany deserves a transformation of the war crime notion. It is the only privilege the participants of criminalistic schemes deserve.
  • Nazi Germany’s Resources and Demise in World War II The efforts of different countries managed to deliver victory after Nazi Germany became unstable and incapable of supporting the ongoing war.
  • The United States and East Asia Since World War II World War II changed the world forever for the key players. While the USA and the Soviet Union fought together against the Nazi regime, the relationship between the two remained tense.
  • Atomic Bomb Technology and World War II Outcomes The Hiroshima bombing, the event that ultimately led to the surrender of Japan, was an indication of the level of technological advancement.
  • American-Japanese Military and Race Conflicts in the Book “War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War” The issues of prejudice, tunnel vision and inability to see the situation from all sides are described in the present book.
  • The Fall of the Grand Alliance Against the Axis Powers Before the End of WWII War is political. International politics have an influence on global wars. The Second War was a war of actions, words, and fierce battles between the UK, US, former Soviet Union and the Nazi rule.
  • How World War Two Affected Black Immigration? The black population benefited from World War Two in various ways but they also faced untold sufferings at the hands of people who considered them as none or less human beings.
  • Post World War II Artist Big names in the sculpture industry as David Smith of the United States of America also could arguably be named as the most influential artists in the industry general.
  • Impact of World War II on Balkan Nationalism, States and Societies To the Balkans, the impacts of World War II were enormous on states and societies. The interplay of military and political events from the war affected the region both positively and negatively.
  • Women’s Backlash in the 1950s due to WWII The Second World War provided many horrors of war. The perspective of a woman’s position was changed forever. During WWII many women had jobs and were gaining independence.
  • World War II: Internment of the Japanese Americans President Roosevelt at the peak of World War II authorized the internment of Japanese citizens living in the United States.
  • Social and Economic Problems After World War II Having borne the brunt of the Great Depression and World War II, the American people experienced serious social and economic problems.
  • Great Depression and World War II Impact on the United States Economy Both the Great Depression and World War II heavily impacted the US economy in the first half of the previous century.
  • Battle of the Bulge During World War II In retrospect, the Battle of the Bulge can be seen as one of the largest strategic mistakes made by Germany due to the false assumption of military superiority.
  • Great Depression and World War II for Americans The Americans encountered numerous problems during the period of the Great Depression. The Second World War also led to many problems in the United States.
  • World War II Impact on Racial Issues in the United States The situation with Japanese-American internees during World War II represents a unique and distinctive experience in American history.
  • American Women in WWII-Related Film and Poster This paper examines the film “Casablanca” and the poster “It’s a Woman’s War Too!” in the context of determining the role of women, emphasizing contribution during wartime.
  • Women’s Representations Before and After World War II This paper analyzes two paintings representing young women performing leisurely activities and shows the differences between the painting, as well as their common theme.
  • United States-Japan Relations During World War II The development of relations between the United States and Japan, which led to the outbreak of war between the two countries, was a very complicated process.
  • American Foreign Policy Since World War II This paper is a book review of American Foreign Policy since World War II, by Hook and Spanier. An acclaimed literary work, researchers have used the book in educational and political fields.
  • History: American Foreign Policy since World War II The post-Cold War era in the American society can be deemed as an essential epoch in the U.S. history, as it allowed for retrieving the answers to some of the most complicated questions.
  • World War II, The Cold War and New Europe The WWII and its aftermath resulted in the development of another opposition of superstates. The former allies were not able to able to determine the spheres of their influence and make a compromise.
  • US – Japan Economic Relations in WWII The paper studies international relations between Japan and the USA, Japanese aggression and its role in World War II, and Japan’s economic growth.
  • World War II Role for the United States World War II led to changing the women’s roles in the family and society, the general social pattern, and to worsening the economic situation in the United States.
  • History of Post WWII Every leader had own plan for the Yalta Conference: Roosevelt claimed for Soviet support in the U.S. Pacific War against Japan, particularly invading Japan.
  • The Crete Battle of World War II World War II consisted of various battles among them, the Crete battle in which Germany invaded the territory that was hitherto controlled by the British and Greece troops.
  • What Happened in Egypt During World War 2?
  • Why Did Japan Get Involved in World War 2?
  • Who Defeated Japan in World War 2?
  • What Role Did Military Intelligence Play in World War 2?
  • Did the Soviets Win World War 2?
  • What Are the Roles of African Americans During World War 2?
  • How Did World War 2 Change the Attitudes of Women and Minorities Toward Their Status in American Society?
  • How Did The Versailles Treaty Help World War 2?
  • How Did World War 2 Affect Surgical Procedures?
  • What Made Japan Lose World War 2?
  • Why Did France Surrender to Germany at the Beginning of World War 2?
  • How Did World War 2 Come to an End in Europe?
  • What Was the Significance of D-Day to the Outcome of World War 2?
  • Did Nordic Countries Recognize the Gathering Storm of World War 2?
  • What Effect Did World War 2 Have on Life in Barking and Dagenham?
  • Why Did Germany Keep Fighting in World War 2?
  • How Did World War 2 Begin and End?
  • Were the Atomic Bombs Used in World War 2 Justified?
  • How Did World War 2 Affect Women’s Rights?
  • What Was the Development Process of Atomic Bomb Which Leads Its Impact on World War 2?
  • Was Bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki Necessary to End World War 2?
  • How Did World War 2 Affect Medical Treatment in Tennessee?
  • When Did the Soviet Union Turn Against Germany in World War 2?
  • Which Country Won the War 2?
  • Was the Cold War Inevitable After World War 2?
  • What Country Has the Most Deaths in World War 2?
  • Why Were British Troops in Egypt in World War 2?
  • Which Country Was the Most Important in World War 2?
  • Did the Bretton Woods Conference Help the World Economy After World War 2?
  • How Did World War 2 Transform American Society and Government?
  • The major battles of World War II.
  • The Holocaust during WWII.
  • The role of the Manhattan Project in WWII.
  • Propaganda in WWII.
  • Civilian support during World War II.
  • Codebreaking in World War II.
  • Resistance movements during WWII.
  • War crimes in World War II.
  • The Pacific theater of WWII.
  • The impact of technology on the WWII course.
  • The Battle of Stalingrad—the turning point in the Eastern Front.
  • The impact of the Yalta Conference decisions.
  • The Battle of Kursk—the largest tank battle in history.
  • The challenges of the Allied invasion of Italy.
  • The role of African Americans in WWII.
  • WWII and the Chinese resistance.
  • The costs of the Battle of Iwo Jima.
  • The implications of the Tehran Conference.
  • Long-term psychological effects of WWII on veterans.
  • The Soviet partisan movement during WWII.

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StudyCorgi. (2022, January 16). 157 World War 2 Essay Topics + Examples. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/world-war-2-essay-topics/

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StudyCorgi . "157 World War 2 Essay Topics + Examples." January 16, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/world-war-2-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2022. "157 World War 2 Essay Topics + Examples." January 16, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/world-war-2-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on World War 2 were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on January 20, 2024 .

Skip to Main Content of WWII

Research starters.

Beginning a research paper on World War II can be daunting. With Research Starters, you can get a basic introduction to major WWII topics, see recommended secondary sources, and view primary sources you can use from the Museum’s collection.

Soldiers viewing graves

Research Starters: Worldwide Deaths in World War II

See estimates for worldwide deaths, broken down by country, in World War II. 

good world war 2 thesis

Research Starters: US Military by the Numbers

See a breakdown of numbers in the US military, by branch and year, in World War II. 

good world war 2 thesis

Research Starters: The Draft and World War II

On September 16, 1940, the United States instituted the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, which required all men between the ages of 21 and 45 to register for the draft.

good world war 2 thesis

Research Starters: The GI Bill

good world war 2 thesis

Research Starters: Higgins Boats

In the late 1930s, the U.S. military began developing small boats that could carry troops from ships to open beaches.

good world war 2 thesis

Research Starters: The Battle of Midway

Fought between the U.S. and Japanese navies June 4-7, 1942, this battle turned the tide of the war in the Pacific in favor of the Americans.

good world war 2 thesis

Research Starters: Women in World War II

With ever-growing orders for war materials combined with so many men overseas fighting the war, women were called upon to work in ways previously reserved only for men.

good world war 2 thesis

Ration Books

Ask anyone who remembers life on the Home Front during World War II about their strongest memories and chances are they will tell you about rationing. You see, the war caused shortages of all sorts of things: rubber, metal, clothing, etc. But it was the shortages of various types of food that affected just about everyone on a daily basis.

good world war 2 thesis

Take A Closer Look: America Goes to War

America's isolation from war ended on December 7, 1941, when Japan staged a surprise attack on American military installations in the Pacific. 

good world war 2 thesis

History At a Glance: Women in World War II

American women played important roles during World War II, both at home and in uniform.

Understanding the Scope of World War 2

World War 2 wasn’t just a series of battles. It was a global phenomenon that reshaped nations, cultures, and the very fabric of human civilization. To fully grasp the magnitude of this war, students must appreciate the broader picture— from the major events to the aftereffects that ripple into today’s geopolitics.

World War 2 wasn’t just a series of battles or mere dates in history textbooks; it was a transformative epoch that shifted the 20th century. It was a global phenomenon that reshaped nations, cultures, and the very fabric of human civilization.

The stories from the frontlines, while pivotal, are just one dimension. From the intense political maneuvers and espionage missions to the socio-cultural transformations that ensued, there’s an ocean of World War 2 topics to explore.

In my experience, many students get so engrossed in the prominent WW2 research topics that they sometimes overlook the profound societal and technological shifts. The war expedited technological advancements, leading to innovations and even the space race.

Choosing the Right Topic for WW2 Research Paper

The first and perhaps most crucial step is selecting your focus. While there are countless World War 2 consequences topics to explore, choosing one that genuinely piques your interest is essential. From the intricacies of military strategies to the socio-cultural impacts, every WW2 topic offers a unique perspective. According to general IB criteria, aligning your genuine interests with academic standards often yields the best results.

Going Thorough Research for WW2 Research Paper

As I know, thorough research forms the backbone of any compelling research paper. Primary sources, firsthand accounts, and authentic records give a factual foundation. On the other hand, secondary sources provide analysis and interpretation. Be sure to frame some pertinent research questions about World War 2 to guide your exploration.

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Military Topics for Research Paper

How to write an essay on army values, making a strong thesis statement for ww2 research paper.

Every IB student understands the weight of a robust thesis statement. Your thesis should reflect your chosen WW2 research topic and provide a fresh viewpoint. For instance, if your focus is on WW2 project topics related to technological advancements, your thesis might revolve around how these innovations changed the course of battles.

Structuring World War 2 Research Paper

A clear structure is paramount. Start with an engaging introduction where you present your World War 2 research topic. In the body, dissect key events, figures, or consequences in detail. And in conclusion, tie all your findings together, highlighting the broader implications.

World War 2 Research Paper

Revising and Proofreading World War 2 Research Paper

As any seasoned writer would advise, revisiting your work with fresh eyes can make a difference. It ensures factual accuracy, logical flow, and overall coherence.

Top WW2 Research Paper Topics to Consider

Drawing from my extensive background in the subject, and with a little help from our team of expert History essay writers , here are some intriguing topics to ignite your curiosity:

  • Military Strategies & Tactics: The Art of War.
  • The Political Landscape: Alliances and Treacheries.
  • Women in WW2: Beyond the Home Front.
  • Technology’s Role: From Enigma to the Atomic Bomb.
  • The War’s Aftermath: The Dawn of the Cold War.
  • WW2’s Influence on Modern Pop Culture.
  • Propaganda’s Power: How Nations Were Moved.
  • World War II’s Unsung Heroes.
  • The Evolution of Warfare: Comparing WWI and WWII.
  • The Human Cost: Stories Beyond the Battlefield.
  • The Home Front: Mobilizing Industries and Morale.  
  • Resistance Movements: The Underground War.  Tales of bravery from resistance fighters across Europe.
  • The Holocaust: The Darkest Chapter. The most harrowing part of WW2.
  • World War 2 and the Global Economy.  Economic shifts and consequences that laid the foundation for today’s economic order.
  • Naval Warfare: The Battle of the Seas.  Understand the strategic importance of naval dominance.
  • Intelligence and Espionage: Secrets of the War.  Stories of spies, their tactics, and their role in the war.
  • Asian Theatre: Japan’s Expansion and its Impact.  Delving into the Pacific battles and Japan’s wartime strategy.
  • The African Front: The War Beyond Europe’s Borders.  Exploring the lesser-known battlegrounds.
  • Children of the War: Youth Amidst Conflict.  The tales of the youngest affected by the war.
  • Medical Advancements and Challenges.  How did medicine evolve in the cauldron of WW2?
  • Prisoners of War: Life in Captivity.  Personal accounts of soldiers taken captive.
  • Aerial Battles: Dominance in the Skies.  Chronicling key air battles and their significance.
  • The Role of Artists and Writers in WW2.  How did creatives contribute to the war effort?
  • Allied Powers: Dynamics and Differences.  Delving into the unity and tensions between allies.
  • Decoding War Communications.  Understanding wartime coding and the significance of breaking them.

Each of these topics not only represents an interesting WW2 topic but can lead to a nuanced understanding of the broader historical context. The depth and breadth of World War II offer countless avenues for study, and these topics are just the tip of the iceberg. 

World War II remains an inexhaustible reservoir of research topics ripe for exploration. Tapping into this rich tapestry of events, characters, and consequences is more than just an academic exercise. It’s a journey into understanding the human spirit, resilience, and the complexities of global geopolitics. If ever you find yourself lost amidst the vast topics about World War 2, remember: it’s about finding a unique voice in the vast chorus of history.

In all other cases at Writing Metier , there is a team of writers who can help with World War 2 research papers . And always, always keep your passion for learning alive.

Free topic suggestions

Laura Orta is an avid author on Writing Metier's blog. Before embarking on her writing career, she practiced media law in one of the local media. Aside from writing, she works as a private tutor to help students with their academic needs. Laura and her husband share their home near the ocean in northern Portugal with two extraordinary boys and a lifetime collection of books.

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Humanities in Class: Webinar Series

World War II in Public Memory: The Good War Thesis Revisited

Volker Janssen (Professor of History, California State University, Fullerton)

February 5, 2015

To this day, World War II looms large in our public memory. Be it in movies and TV shows, bestsellers, exhibits, or in politics, references to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the home front, D-Day, Iwo Jima, the Blitz, Hiroshima, and other sites and events of the War abound. Embedded in these shared ideas about World War II are messages about national unity, pain and triumph, endurance, valor, service, and the role the United States played in defeating evil empires. Most Americans are comfortable with the lesson that World War II was a “good war,” which Americans fought willingly against a group of dangerous enemies to peace and humanity and in the process built a better world. But how does this conclusion compare to the historical record? What have been the consequences of what Studs Terkel has called the “good war” thesis? What else can we learn from the history of World War II? On the 70th anniversary of the Yalta Conference of the Allies, this seminar highlights the complex relationships between domestic and international affairs and provides specific suggestions for getting students to make larger connections and apply their historical thinking to real-life scenarios.

Film and Media / History / American History / Collective Memory / World War II / War / Ethics /

World War 2 Essay: Outline + 100 WW2 Research Topics

This time you have to write a World War II essay, paper, or thesis. It means that you have a perfect chance to refresh those memories about the war that some of us might forget.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

So many words can be said about the war in that it seems you will simply get lost in a variety of WW2 research topics and questions.

Still, you do not know what to write about in your World War 2 essay for middle school. Of course, you may look through several free essays in search of ideas. However, you may find our suggestions interesting or get instant writing help right here.

  • 🔝 Top 10 Topics
  • 🎓 Essay Topics for Student
  • 🎖️ WW2 Argumentative Essay Topics
  • 💡 More Topic Examples
  • 📑 Outline Examples
  • 💁 General Info

🔗 References

🔝 top 10 ww2 essay topics.

  • Was the battle of Dunkirk a failure? 
  • WWII technologies that changed our lives 
  • The outcome of the Nuremberg trials 
  • Medical experiments during the Holocaust
  • Battle of Midway as a turning point in WWII  
  • Why is penicillin a wonder of World War 2? 
  • Why is the Bataan Death March a war crime?
  • The impact of propaganda during WWII 
  • Racial segregation in the armed forces during WWII 
  • What makes the Battle of Stalingrad the deadliest in WWII? 

🎓 WW2 Essay Topics for Student 

  • Contributions of women pilots in World War II  
  • “Gesture Life” and “Maus”: post-World War II injuries  
  • The federal government’s actions during World War II  
  • Rebuilding Europe after World War II  
  • World War II in Europe: development and costs  
  • World War II: maskirovka military deception and denials operations  
  • World War II in the Pacific region  
  • The second World War’s historical aspects  
  • The rise and fall of communism after World War II  
  • South Africa in World War II  
  • Battle of the Midway during World War II  
  • World War II: the history of Hiroshima and Nagasaki  
  • What effect did the World War II wartime experience have on African Americans?  
  • The battle of Britain during World War II  
  • World War II was a continuation of World War I  
  • Communism in Europe and America after World War II  
  • Camps for displaced persons after the end of World War II  
  • Nazis prosecution for the World War II crimes  
  • World War II was avoidable  
  • Nazi Germany’s resources and demise in World War II  
  • The United States and East Asia since World War II  
  • Japan after World War II: main events and modifications  
  • Atomic bomb technology and World War II outcomes  
  • Pacific theater of World War II  
  • Impact of World War II on Balkan nationalism, states and societies  
  • World War II: internment of the Japanese Americans  
  • World War II in “The Rape of Europa” documentary  
  • The characteristics of successful warfare after the second World War  
  • Great Depression and World War II impact on the United States economy  
  • Battle of the Bulge during World War II  
  • Escape from Sobibor: World War 2 holocaust  
  • World War II: why Germans lost and allies won  
  • World War II impact on racial issues in the United States  
  • Women’s representations before and after World War II  
  • United States-Japan relations during World War II  
  • Second World War: cause and technology  
  • American foreign policy since World War II  
  • World War II, the Cold War and New Europe  
  • The Crete battle of World War II  
  • Home front of the United States during the second World War  

🎖️ WW2: Argumentative Essay Topics

As it happens quite often, teachers like to ask students to write an essay on World War II. However, don’t expect it to be easy. It should be something more narrow than the essay about the causes of World War II.

You can use some practical techniques to come up with a suitable topic. For instance, some of the most popular ones are mind mapping and brainstorming. Don’t forget to use questions to create a perfect thesis statement.

But we have made your life so much easier and prepared this comprehensive list of WWII argumentative essay topics. There are also short hints to help you start with your paper.

Just in 1 hour! We will write you a plagiarism-free paper in hardly more than 1 hour

🔫 World War 2 Essay Topics: Military

  • Exploring the effects of WWII on life in Hawaii. Research the impact of those events on the social life of families living there.
  • Family memories of the Holocaust . Dig deep and see if you have any (distant) relatives who were the witnesses.
  • Something unique about Italy in WWII. Look into some exceptional circumstances that occurred there at the time of the war.
  • The origins of the phrase “Kilroy was here.” It is quite a controversial topic, so you might want to study all the sources you can find.
  • Nationalist Socialists: examine the importance of the movement in the US. What was its social impact since the war? Describe this in your WW2 essay.
  • Write about your town/city. Conduct research to find out about the political changes in your hometown related to war.
  • The transformation of the prisoner-of-war camps . Write about what happened to the POW camps after the end of the war.
  • The fate of the prisoners of war. Study the documents to get to know what happened to them and whether they continued their healthy lives.
  • Describe the spies that participated in WWII . Who were they? What usually happened to those who were caught by different sides?
  • The role of women . Discover the contribution of the weaker sex in warfare and write about the most surprising facts.
  • How important were the weather conditions for the outcomes of WWII ? Find out which battles were lost or won due to the weather.
  • War crimes: consequences. Conduct research to answer the questions about the war crime trials, their outcomes, and the most notorious cases.
  • Research the role of the US government in WWII . Compare it to the other governments and analyze the strategies they were using.
  • The sense of freedom during the war. For this WW2 essay topic, you would need to look critically at how freedom was suppressed or expanded.
  • What was so special about the movements of the troop? Here, you would be expected to provide the answers concerning the secrecy and challenges.
  • The experiences of the attack survivors. Find out what was happening during the attack on the military units and the planes.

🤖 World War 2 Essay Topics: Technology

  • The role of the submarines in the war. This World War II research topic is all about the importance of the submarines.
  • Estimate the destruction in the UK. Find out how many historical places were wiped out as a result of the war.
  • Was Winston Churchill prepared for it? Write about the background of that influential leader and how it helped him at the wartime.
  • Write about the time the US entered the war . Are there any facts that we still don’t know well enough? What about the timing?
  • The miracle of the radar. This WW2 essay topic would be interesting for those who are fascinated by technology. What was the role of that device in WWII?
  • Rocket technology and the war. Write about the importance of the rockets and what the moment when they changed the course of the war.
  • Building the ultimate warship. What was the driving force of the developments in the field of shipbuilding during WWII?
  • Describe the main means of communication during the war. Don’t forget to mention the radio and its impact on the major events in your World War 2 essay.
  • The development of bridges and roads. What were the main technological achievements in this field that still impact our everyday life?
  • Explain the rise of the popularity of motorcycles during the war. Feel free to mention the folding bikes and their invention.
  • The technology we have thanks to the war. Dedicate your WW2 essay to the inventions we can’t live without nowadays that were created during the war.
  • What about TVs? You can narrow down this World War II essay question as you wish. For example, write about the shows dedicated to the war.
  • The jet engines developed by the needs of war. Look into the reasons why those engines were created during WWII .

💰 WW2 Research Topics: Economy

  • What about propaganda ? This WWII essay should describe how people in the US were reacting to the war and why.
  • The product of war: pop culture elements. Think about products that became popular and maybe even stayed a part of culture after the war ended.
  • Toy story: WWII edition. Find out how the war influenced the toy production and whether it was a part of propaganda.
  • The major changes in the job market sponsored by WWII. What new roles suddenly appeared on the job market, thanks to the war?
  • The power of advertising . To narrow it down, you can even mention how the food packaging was adjusted and why.

🎨 WW2 Research Topics: Culture

  • Discover the world of fashion during the wartime . It is one of the cool WWII essay topics. It should be about the new trends for civilians at the time.
  • The analysis of artworks created during WWII . Choose a piece of art inspired by war and analyze it. What is its story?
  • New times require new family traditions. How were the customs inside the families changed by the war? What about raising children? Highlight these issues in your World War 2 essay.
  • The secrets of the love letters during the war. This short essay would require you to dig into the archives and find out what the letters could tell us about the relationships back then.
  • What was the unique role of animals in WWII? Dedicate your writing to some type of animal and discuss how they were used.
  • The rights of African-Americans during the time of war . Write about how their civil rights were changed and try to find the root causes.
  • Food preservation methods: another revolution. This example is all about food and how it was packed and preserved during the war.
  • The cases of domestic violence during the cold war. Were the rates higher at the time? Did political tension cause it? This is also a great World War 2 essay topic.
  • Expanding the vocabulary. Just like any other part of life, the language also went through some changes. What were the new words that emerged?
  • The troubled life of housewife during WWII . Describe the work women used to do at the wartime and how it was changed.
  • Still resisting: the movements created by families. Here, you should concentrate on the experience of the families that live in the occupied territories.
  • Lifesaving food: the role of nutrition in WWII. Try to research and find the battles that were lost or won due to the availability of food.
  • The impact of food rationing on soldiers and families. Write your WW2 essay about the struggles of families and different groups of people.
  • What were the common sacrifices of families during the war ? In this essay, you would need to look into the negative changes in families’ lifestyles.
  • The miracle of penicillin : WWII. This research aims to uncover the importance of penicillin or any other medicine of your choice.
  • The clothes that saved lives. Write about different types of clothing and materials that were used to help the soldiers on the battlefield.

💡 World War 2 Essay: More Topic Examples

Below, other suggestions on what you might write about in essays on World War II are presented:

Present in Your World War 2 Essay Alternative Decisions That Could Have Changed the Course of the War Dramatically

Such World War 2 essay will aim to explore some of the greatest decision making mistakes of the world leaders. We do not mean that you should discuss some miraculous history events like “what if Hitler had a heart attack.” In the World War 2 essay devoted to this problem, give realistic alternative decisions that were considered but not realized. Analyze those alternatives that could have changed the end of the war.

“In Your World War Ii Essay, Try to Answer the Question “When Did Hitler Lose the War?”

When did Adolf Hitler lose his chance to win World War II ? What was it? These are the World War 2 essay questions you have to answer. Analyze different viewpoints of historians and present your opinion in the essay on World War 2.

Cover the Themes of Atrocity and War-Crimes in the World War 2 Essay

Acts of genocides and atrocity against civil population occurred in such countries as Japan, the Soviet Union , and Germany. Some of them were so horrific and immense that they changed the psyche of many people and different nations. When disclosing this theme in the Second World War essay, tell about Nazi concentration camps, “Death-camps,” the Holocaust , etc.

If you are interested in other  history essay  topics, read our hints for writing terrorism essays . And don’t forget to tell us in comments below your opinion about the World War 2.

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📑 World War 2 Essay: Outline Examples

The next is creating a neat outline, which would become a massive help for you during the process of writing. Find examples of World War II essay outlines below!

Example 1. Analyze how some alternative decisions could have changed the course of World War II

Try to pick something realistic. Merely writing that if Hitler suddenly died and the war had never happened is just dull. Get creative and maybe take as a basis some real facts that were considered but never came into life.

  • In your World War II essay introduction , present the chosen decision. Include your thesis statement in this part as well. It should be your hypothesis concerning the topic.
  • In the main body , give at least three arguments why and how that decision would have changed things. Here, you prove your hypothesis to be right. You may add one counter-argument if you wish. For instance, include the opinion of a historian saying that it wouldn’t change anything.
  • In conclusion , state your opinion once again, which is now supported by arguments.

Example 2. When did it happen that Germany lost the war?

Think about when Adolf Hitler might have missed his chance to win World War II. What was it? Include some details. Once again, do your research and consider the opinions of different historians.

  • In the introduction to this World War 2 essay , present your point of view. In the thesis statement, write the answer to World War II essay questions clearly and coherently.
  • The main body here is for you to include three to five pieces of evidence that may prove you right. If you decide to write an argumentative essay, you might add some contradicting facts, too.
  • In the last part of your writing, focus on paraphrasing your thesis statement.

Example 3. World War II: discuss war crimes and atrocity

This essay title is related to all acts of cruelty against the civil population, including genocides. You may want to narrow it down according to your preferences. For instance, you can talk about how concentration camps created by Nazis have changed the people’s psyche.

  • Introduce this WW2 essay topic by stating how people have changed after surviving the Death Camps. It might be a good idea to include a sentence at the beginning that may serve as a hook to make your readers interested.
  • In the body , present not less than three examples of what you think might be relevant. Those should be proven historical facts if you want your essay to be persuasive.
  • Conclude by providing a summary of the facts presented in the main body. Add the paraphrased thesis statement.

💁 World War 2: General Information

World war ii: timeline.

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. And on September 3, 1939, France and Britain, fulfilling their obligations to Poland, declared war on Germany and World War II began.

However, the beginning of World War II was preceded by some events, inextricably related:

  • September 18, 1931. Japan attacked Manchuria
  • October 2, 1935 – May 1936. Fascist Italy invaded Ethiopia, conquered and annexed it
  • October 25 – November 1, 1936. On October 25, Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy concluded a cooperation agreement. November 1 announced the creation of the “ Rome-Berlin Axis “
  • November 25, 1936. Nazi Germany and imperialist Japan concluded the Anti-Comintern Pact, directed against the USSR and the international communist movement
  • July 7, 1937. Japan invaded China. The World War II began in the Pacific
  • 11-13 March 1938. Germany joins Austria (the so-called Anschluss)
  • September 29, 1938. Germany, Italy, Great Britain and France signed the Munich agreement obliging the Czechoslovak Republic to cede Nazi Germany to the Sudetenland (where the critical Czechoslovak fortifications were located)
  • 14-15 March 1939. Under pressure from Germany, the Slovaks declared their independence and created the Slovak Republic. The Germans broke the Munich agreement , occupied the Czech lands, and established the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia

German and French guns WW2.

  • March 31, 1939. France and the United Kingdom provided guarantees of the inviolability of the borders of Poland
  • 7-15 April 1939. Fascist Italy attacked Albania and annexed it
  • August 23, 1939. Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact and a secret annex to it, according to which Europe was divided into spheres of influence

Some scientists think that the World War II was a continuation of the World War I ended in 1918.

September 2, 1945, is the date when the World War II ended. Japan, agreed to unconditional surrender on August 14, 1945, officially capitulates, thereby putting an end to World War II.

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World War II: Key Facts

  • Perhaps, the World War II was one the most destructive wars in modern history. About 27,000 people were killed each day from September 1, 1939, to September 2, 1945.
  • The primary opponents were Nazi Germany, fascist Italy, Imperial Japan on the one hand, and the Soviet Union, Great Britain, France the United States , and China on the other.
  • Germany capitulated on May 7, 1945 . At the same time, Japan continued to fight for another four months before their capitulation on September 2. Atomic bombs, dropped by American troops on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, were first used against Japan.
  • The end of the war was marked by Britain losing most of its empire . At the same time, World War II accelerated the revival of the US and Soviet economies as global superpowers.
  • After the end of the World War II, the “Cold War” between the US and the USSR started.

World War 2: Casualties

The exact World War II casualties remain unknown. However, historians name that the total number of victims was over 60 million people including military and civilians killed. Below you’ll find the list of states suffered the highest losses:

  • 42,000,000 people–USSR
  • 9,000,000 people–Germany
  • 4,000,000 people–China
  • 3,000,000 people–Japan

World War II: Causes

Perhaps, there were many prerequisites for World War II:

  • Japan’s victory over Russia in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) opened the door for Japanese expansion in the Asia-Pacific region
  • The US Navy first developed plans to prepare for a naval war with Japan in 1890
  • The Great Depression, and the global recession that followed
  • The coming to power of Hitler and his statement about the injustice of the Versailles Treaty, signed in 1918
  • The creation in 1935 of the Luftwaffe, as a direct violation of the 1919 treaty
  • Remilitarization of the Rhineland in 1936
  • Anschluss of Austria and the annexation of part of Czechoslovakia
  • Italy’s desire to create a Third Rome and Japan’s goal to create an independent state with the Pan-Asian sphere of influence

World War II: Results

The results of World War II are not limited to losses and destruction. As a result of the war, the face of the world changed: new borders and new states appeared, new tendencies of social development emerged, and significant inventions were made.

The war gave a strong impetus to the development of science and technology. Radar, jet aircraft, ballistic missiles, antibiotics, electronic computers and many other discoveries were made or entered into widespread use during the war. The foundations of the scientific and technological revolution were laid, which transformed and continued to change the postwar world.

The ideology of fascism, Nazism, racism, colonialism thoroughly discredited itself; on the contrary, the ideas of anti-fascism, anti-colonialism, democracy, and socialism gained wide popularity.

The human rights recorded in the UN Charter are internationally recognized. The influence of parties and groups that fought for democracy and social transformations–communists, socialists, social democrats, Christian democrats and other democratic forces, has sharply increased.

In many countries, significant reforms carried out: partial nationalization of industry and banks, the creation of a state system of social insurance, the expansion of workers’ rights. In some countries, including France, Italy, Germany, Japan, have adopted new, democratic constitutions. There was a profound renewal of the society, democratization of state and public institutions.

Auschwitz deadliest concentration camp.

The colonial system disintegration was another significant result and consequence of the Second World War. Before the war, the vast majority of the world’s population lived in colonies, the area, and population of which many times exceeded the metropolitan countries: Britain, France, Holland, Belgium, Italy, and Japan.

During the World War 2 and after its end, part of the dependent and colonial countries (Syria, Lebanon, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Burma, Philippines, and Korea) declared itself independent. In 1947, India became independent, divided into two dominions: India and Pakistan. The intense process of liberation of the colonial peoples began, which continued until the complete abolition of the colonies in the second half of the twentieth century.

As a result of the war, the balance of forces in the world has changed dramatically. Germany, Italy, Japan were defeated, for a time turned into dependent countries, occupied by foreign troops. The war destroyed their economy, and they for many years could not compete with their former competitors.

Compared with the pre-war time, the positions of France and even Great Britain weakened considerably. The USA came out of the war significantly strengthened. Having surpassed all other countries economically and militarily, the United States became the sole leader of the capitalist world.

The second “superpower” was the Soviet Union. By the end of the war, the Soviet Union had the most massive land army in the world and substantial industrial potential. The USSR Armed Forces were in many countries of Central and Eastern Europe, East Germany and North Korea.

Some countries liberated by the Soviet Union took the road of non-capitalist development. After the liberation from the occupiers in Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, people’s democratic governments were established with the participation or under the leadership of the Communists, who began profound social transformations. By the Yalta agreements , these countries were considered to be the sphere of influence of the Soviet Union and were in fact under its control.

If the United States became the leader of the capitalist world, then the Soviet Union led the social forces that opposed capitalism. Two main poles of attraction of the world forces, conventionally called the East and the West, were formed; began to build two ideological and military-political blocs, the confrontation of which largely determined the structure of the post-war bipolar world.

The anti-fascist coalition split. Its participants came into conflict with each other, and the “ Cold War ” that lasted more than 45 years, until the collapse of the USSR.

This might be interesting for you:

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  • World War II Research Essay Topics: ThoughtCo
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  • Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time: The New York Times
  • Why Hitler’s grand plan during the second world war collapsed: The Guardian
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Thanks for these ideas for essays on World War II. These are what I need for my paper about WWII. Now I can start writing my essay on World War II.

To write World War II essays is very instructive – to know the reasons, the course of war events, the results. These all are necessary to comprehend and debar World War III as humanity won’t go through it!

The World War II: Impact and Consequences Essay

World War II had a great impact on social order and international relations between the nations and continents. A major influence on international policies was the relations between the two opposite camps, the Allies and the Axis, and the views each held of the other. The Allies and the Axis were reluctant to follow any line that risked running into the antagonism of the other for fear of alienating their ally and therefore endangering one of the precepts of their distant policies (Gordon 32). In an epoch of growing international anxiety and doubt, Germany remained one of the few relatively sure supports upon which they could depend on. Certainly, in the formulation and conduct of international war policy the significance attached to the views and position of the other was considerable, indeed the contacts and discussions between them were often decisive. The history of World War II suggests that the greatest impact this war had in African and Asian countries was through the processes of decolonization and modernization coming to these geographical regions.

World War II changed the landscape of North Africa and opened new opportunities for independence. The countries became independent immediately after the end of the war, but the war changed the national consciousness and self-determination of the nations. For either to be successful the cooperation of their partner across North Africa was considered imperative. Neither the Allies nor the Axis was prepared to take any initiative alone: among diplomatic, military and political circles there was a refusal to act either against Italian hostility in North Africa or German treaty violations in Europe without the guaranteed support of their partner (Hargreaves 65). This perceived incapability to operate without the backing of the other extended at several vital junctures to the point where the Allies and the Axis allowed the other, possibly willingly so, to determine their own policies (Gordon 65).

The main African countries involved in World War II were under Italian rule and included the Italian North Africa, the Italian east Africa. Also, such Asian Middle East countries as Iran, Syria and Lebanon were involved. The outcome this emphasis placed on the other’s strategy was to strengthen the case for appeasing Italy and Germany. Each was depressed from taking a firm posture by the belief that the other was not committed to a policy of confrontation. During the first months of World War II, the countries recognized that, whatever their public statements, the British were not committed to a hard line over Italian hostility (Hargreaves 77). Later, following the reoccupation of the Africa, a similar sight was held in London of French attitudes. Equally important, each knew, indeed it was explicitly stated, that their ally would not act without them and without having first received a formal promise of their support. The Allies and the Axis pacification policies were further reinforced by the denial to accept a trade-off by which support for a policy of resistance against one fascist aggressor would be exchanged for the promise of support against the other (McGowen 87). The only result of these political maneuvers was to further damage their relations, with each berating the other for failing to provide the necessary support. In fact, these often hurtful exchanges had more to do with seeking to place the onus for (in)action onto their ally’s shoulders than with any wish to adopt a policy of resistance towards fascist hostility (Gordon 63). “Between Cairo and Cape Town operational activities were at first confined to a few ports and airfields. Freetown, an important staging-post and assembly-point for naval convoys, was quickly affected” (Hargreaves 51). The outcomes drawn from these common considerations, firstly, that it was impossible to act without the backing of their ally and, secondly, that their union was no more than half- hearted in its desire to oppose Italy or Germany (and also that they lacked the means even if they had desired to accept such a policy), accentuated their already unsure policies, impeded any firm answer, and acted as a further impetus to the policies of appeasement.

When considering the African and Asian responses to Italian hostility in East Africa, a contrast has been made between ‘the complicated “game” and the determination of the English Government; of a strong-willed British administration wanting to do all it could to halt Italy and defend the League but being held back by the cynical policies of the French (Hargreaves 66). The obvious contradiction with France’s traditional record of determination in upholding the settlement and the League, and with Great Britain’s previous half-hearted and flexible approach towards both, is explained away by a supposed dual volte-face in which each at the same time assumed the mantle of the other. This actually rapid and total about-turn in policy simply cannot explain the complexity of the Allies and the Axis policies. For both there were numerous issues to be taken into account, some pushing towards opposition to the Axis ambitions and defense, others towards maintaining Italian friendship through acceptance of her expansion at Africa’s expense. Although these were not felt equally, there were strong cases made on either side of the dispute in both countries (McGowen 34). In their respective parliaments, governments and public views the war crisis produced widely divergent, and often contradictory, opinions towards the Axis. The result was that neither was firmly attached either to opposing or conniving at Italian hostility. For the Allies and the Axis leaders the importance of the Africa crisis, coming at a critical time in international affairs, lay in its repercussions beyond Africa – in the Mediterranean, in Europe, and above all in their future relations with Germany (Gordon 49). Not surprisingly, their opinion turned as much towards Berlin as towards Rome, Addis Ababa or Geneva throughout the whole affair. Faced with growing evils in Europe, complicated by an expansionist Japan in the Far East, the significance of Italy greatly increased. With Germany rearming and clearly seeking to expand to the African and Asian continents and east the value of Italian support could not be overlooked. The result was an effort, led by the French but closely followed and supported by London, to tie Italy more closely to the western camp. “Political doctrines apart, all France’s African subjects suffered new hardships in consequence of the interruption of peacetime patterns of production and trade, and of increased demands by their rulers” (Hargreaves 53).

Not only was there a concern not to estrange their union and to keep as close to them as possible but both the Allies and the Axis also considered that their own policy could not be successful without the fuIl and active participation of each other. This refusal to operate outside a joint Allies approach acted throughout the crisis as a restraint on the policy initiatives that emerged from the Allies and the Axis whether they were for greater concessions or stronger coercive measures. Although for Great Britain the issue was less one of dependence there was still a great emphasis placed on Paris (McGowen 65). This was certainly much in evidence when consideration was given to the issue of sanctions. The issue of French military support should Italy attack the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean in some ‘mad dog’ attack was repeatedly raised. Equally, there was a general insistence that France should prepare fuIl-scale armed operations against Italy before sanctions could even be considered, and any policy of opposing Italian ambitions was simply considered impossible without the full military and diplomatic support of the French (Gordon 69). The war in Asia took place between Japanese and communist Chinese armies aimed to protect their national interest and became independent.

Time and again the Allies pointed to failure to provide this as a reason for their own unwillingness to consider sanctions. At the same time they insisted on the necessity of keeping in step with France and made this principle of their policy clear to all involved. British statements that they had no understanding with African countries, their demands that before sanctions were apprised upon France must be prepared to undertake large-scale military operations (in fact, take the brunt of these as well as from any Italian retaliation) and their refusal to offer in exchange for French support over Africa a guarantee of British support for future sanctions against Germany, only added to the general suspicion in Paris (Hargreaves 74). British demands that a sanctions policy be adopted, and moreover that it be led by France, met with little support (McGowen 48). French leaders, aware of British silence on this issue, saw no reason to do anything other than drag their heels – certainly they often argued that London would be only too pleased if sanctions were avoided.

Similar to Africa, Asia was intestinally involved in the war with poor military resources and colonial state power. It has been argued that the crisis posed a straightforward, if awkward, choice for the Allies and the Axis between resistance and appeasement, between threats (backed up if necessary by collective action) and sufficient concessions to Italy to prevent her from resorting to arms combined with pressure on the Asians to concede. In this the choice that confronted Paris and London over Asian nations reflected the wider and longer-term choice over policy towards the fascist powers. The choice was not, though, so simple. The recognized pattern of appeasing Mussolini and the desire to preserve the advantages of Italian friendship pushed them in one way; concern for the League and for the widespread public support it enjoyed pushed them in another (McGowen 65). Neither Government, though, saw the option in such stark terms. For both it was an issue of attempting to balance the many demands placed on them. Nor were conciliation and coercion considered as being equally exclusive but rather as two paths to be followed simultaneously. Both the Allies and the Axis were pushed towards what were often incompatible options by conflicting advice and concerns. The understandable inclination was to seek to avoid these alternatives, to preserve both Italian co-operation in Europe and the prestige and force of the League; neither France nor Great Britain accepted that by attempting to keep both they would fall between two stools (Gordon 77). The World War II led to formation of Asian states including the Republic of China (under Communist regime,) The North and South Korea, the Taiwan, and Vietnam. The decolonization process touched Indochina, Algeria, Indonesia and Madagascar, the dominion of India and Pakistan. Such states as Israel and Palestine were created in the Middle East.

The story of the Allies and the Axis policies towards the African and Asian countries is in large part that of how the Governments sought to come to terms with this dilemma. Neither saw a simple choice between coercion and conciliation and in neither country was the eventual outcome of the debate a clear decision either to resist or to cede to Italian demands. When faced with the threat and then the fact of Italian hostility against a fellow member of the League both France and Great Britain worked fervently to find a diplomatic solution (Hock 101). The central, seemingly insoluble, problem remained how this could satisfy both the League and Italy; how Italian needs could be sufficiently fulfilled to keep her in the anti-German camp while not delivering a fatal blow to the League and to the system of collective security. Such hopes proved to be based on an unfounded optimism or, more probably, on an irresolution characteristic of both countries’ leaderships. At the heart of British and French policies lay what were to prove intractable problems arising from inherent inconsistencies (McGowen 51). Furthermore, however understandable the policies pursued, they were always poorly adapted to the nature of Mussolini’s power. Given this, it is not surprising that their open rejection of effectual sanctions and their public acceptance of Italy’s need to expand did little to convince Mussolini of the need to accept anything less than the complete annihilation of North Africa. This gulf between fascist Italy and the democracies always worked against a successful resolution of the crisis along the lines envisaged in the Allies and the Axis. The weaknesses inherent in such an approach and the basic incompatibility of the two halves of the dual-line were never fully accepted by the Allies and the Axis policy-makers (Gordon 88).

Pushed in often opposite directions by various international and domestic considerations, the Allies and the Axis policies in Asia and Africa were equally ambivalent. The first inclination for both was to temporize, to leave the problem to others, to urge conciliation all round and to attempt to avoid the awkward dilemma posed by Italy’s hostility (Hock 103). Driven by conflicting advice, interests and considerations, weakened in their formulation by the absence of decisive leadership and in their application both by material weaknesses and the lack of Anglo-French solidarity, ended in failure: the League was ruined as an instrument of peace-keeping, the Italian alliance permanently damaged and mutual relations strained almost to breaking point. “The secretary of state entered 1941 certain that he wanted no confrontation with Japan over China or Southeast Asia until the situation in Europe had improved” (Lee 14).

Having unsuccessfully turned to each other for a lead, ministers and their military advisers looked to Great Britain for a way out of their predicament. Safe in the knowledge that British opposition would rule out any military response, the new direction was instructed to open talks under the auspices of the League. The crisis was, however, far from over (Hock 107). The importance of Asian theater was that for the Allies, all hopes of improving relations with Germany were dependent on one thing – the support of France. Everything turned on first neutralizing any French demands for action and then winning her over to the appeasement of Europe. For the Government in London the present dangers, and future possibilities, all revolved around an agreement with Paris. Both approached the events from this same sense of weakness (McGowen 38). Attempts to look to other allies (in the case of France to Poland, the Little Entente, the Soviet Union and Italy; for Great Britain to her Dominions) never got off the ground. Faced with growing threats in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa, Great Britain had to abandon her inclination to be the arbiter of Europe (Hock 106).

Their immediate reactions, however, were often to condemn their partner as much as the aggressor. The French attacked what they regarded as Great Britain’s lack of solidarity, their failure to provide adequate commitments to the defense of Western Europe, and for playing too much to a German tune. They also questioned the inconsistency with which the British sought to apply the Covenant against Italy while denying its value in Europe. In London French intransigence was blamed for the long-lasting failure to reach a settlement with Germany (McGowen 23). The inherent issues in relations between Britain and France in Asia were heightened by the fact that before either reached a policy decision the other’s attitude was solicited and, despite a pronounced lack of confidence, their support made an essential precondition for any diplomatic move (Kelly 81). Throughout both crises each constantly referred to the attitudes of other actors. In turn, the League, the United States, France’s Eastern European allies, British Dominions, and numerous other states as far apart as Turkey and Japan, were considered in policy deliberations. What really mattered, however, was the attitude of their partner across the Channel. Beyond the limitations imposed by material resources and the broad outlook and aims of the two leaderships, it was these considerations that each gave to the other’s position that was the major determinant of international policy (McGowen 87).

In Asia and Africa, the Allies relations were marked by requests and refusals for action against international hostility: British attempts to halt Italian ambitions in Ethiopia were blocked by French unwillingness to follow their lead; over the Asia the roles were apparently reversed, with Great Britain’s non-co-operation holding back the French. In both cases there is much in this that is simply myth. The myth, however, both at the time and since, proved to be remarkably useful. Consequently it took deep root (McGowen 47). That the Allies tensions were added to by these diplomatic exchanges is evident. Over the crisis the British disapproval of the French failure to stand by them was strongly voiced. In return, Paris attacked what many there considered to be Great Britain’s willingness to raise the stakes to dangerous levels.

Those successes offered twin rescue to a beleaguered Imperial Army. First, the colossal drain of the China “incident” might at last be ended by an occupation of French Indochina that would nearly sever the remaining flow of Western aid to Chiang Kai-shek. It was a perversion of the “total war” officers’ original attempt to achieve autarky (Lee 16).

In both cases these connections had a direct and lasting collision. In large part these divergences make clear the failure to overcome either crisis successfully (McGowen 54; McGowen 66).

In sum, African countries and Asian nations were the stronger partners is beyond doubt. The greater reliance of the Allies on ally was shown in the frequent use made of the unequal relations. None the less, the Allies retained a clear edge of political maneuver and took its own part in the policy of pacification. The direct insinuation of their recognized interdependence was a refusal to maneuver in the political arena outside the boundaries of what was jointly agreed and applied. World War II proposed great opportunities for Asian and African nations to become independent but it also ruined their cultural and social achievements. Their interdependence also meant that the world’s powers chose to bow to the other’s position. Critics told that the world’s powers would adjust their position to that of dependent nations. This is a mistaken impression and expression. The debate constantly placed Asian nations at the centre of their decisions and any action to resolve the war crisis, either along the path of further concessions or greater pressure on the Axis, was based on winning co-operation.

Works Cited

Gordon, J. W. The Other Desert War: British Special Forces in North Africa , 1940-1943 Greenwood Press, 1987.

Hargreaves, J.D. Decolonization in Africa ; Longman, 1996.

Hock, D. Legacies of World War II in South and East Asia . Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2007.

Kelly, O. Meeting the Fox: The Allied Invasion of Africa, from Operation Torch to Kasserine Pass to Victory in Tunisia . Wiley, 2002.

Lee, L.E. World War II in Asia and the Pacific and the War’s aftermath, with General Themes: A Handbook of Literature and Research . Greenwood Press, 1998.

McGowen, T. World War II. Childrens Press, 2002.

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IvyPanda. (2023, October 20). The World War II: Impact and Consequences. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-world-war-ii-the-impact-and-consequences/

"The World War II: Impact and Consequences." IvyPanda , 20 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/the-world-war-ii-the-impact-and-consequences/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'The World War II: Impact and Consequences'. 20 October.

IvyPanda . 2023. "The World War II: Impact and Consequences." October 20, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-world-war-ii-the-impact-and-consequences/.

1. IvyPanda . "The World War II: Impact and Consequences." October 20, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-world-war-ii-the-impact-and-consequences/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The World War II: Impact and Consequences." October 20, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-world-war-ii-the-impact-and-consequences/.

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good world war 2 thesis

Revisiting WWII: My Senior Thesis

May 7, 2021, roberto hasbun.

One of the most important milestones of the Princeton undergraduate experience is the senior thesis . Almost all departments require a thesis or some type of independent work. Writing a total of 28,000 words and 110 pages was definitely challenging, but extremely rewarding. I was able to embark on my own research project, choose a topic I was passionate about and put into practice all of the historical methods I had learned in class.

My senior thesis, ““Americanos Todos”: Redefining U.S. Latino and Latina Identity during the Second World War”, investigates the wartime experiences of Latinos who served in both the homefront and battlefront during World War II. Despite posing significant contributions to the war, Latinos remain neglected in dominant narratives of WWII. My work attempts to address this historical silencing and uncover the Latino wartime experience. I ultimately argue that the war influenced the emergence of new forms of identity by confounding what it meant to be “Latino” and “American” and catalyzed movements for inclusion that formed a Latino civil rights consciousness.

My research was based primarily on 47 interviews of Latinos and Latinas who participated in the war. Listening to their wartime experiences and how they championed sacrifice and patriotism despite encountering discrimination was extremely inspiring. They were constantly treated as second-class citizens and had to fight for their own inclusion and future in the country, motifs that resonate in modern discussions over Latino immigration. 

The overall process of crafting my own arguments and contributing to the historiography really helped strengthen my writing and critical thinking skills. Moreover, turning in this thesis, the longest research project I have worked on, demonstrated that I could do anything I set my mind to. There were many times that I was stuck with my topic or didn’t know how to approach the primary source, but my adviser was always extremely supportive. Everyone is paired with an adviser for the thesis and my adviser was extremely generous with her time and provided instrumental feedback.

Rob standing with his bound senior thesis

For prospective students, don't be afraid of the senior thesis! I know it seems daunting but Princeton prepares you and provides you with all of the resources and support you need to succeed. All of the papers I had written in other classes and previous independent work played a huge role in helping me navigate and complete my senior thesis. Looking back on my undergraduate career, writing my senior thesis is probably my proudest accomplishment.

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“When we think back to World War II, we say, ‘Everybody was united, everybody was behind the war,’ and certainly in comparison to subsequent wars, that’s true. But that was not exactly the case,” says Elizabeth D. Samet ’91, author of “Looking for the Good War.”

Photo by Hedy Samet

In her new book, “Looking for the Good War: American Amnesia and the Violent Pursuit of Happiness,” Elizabeth D. Samet ’91, professor of English at West Point, makes the case for demystifying World War II. The Gazette spoke with Samet about how a “sentimental narrative” about World War II took hold in the American imagination after the losses of the Vietnam War and how it shaped, for better or worse, a false sense of national destiny. This interview was edited for clarity and length

(Editor’s note: The views expressed by Samet do not reflect the policy or position of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.)

Elizabeth D. Samet

GAZETTE: You dedicate this book to your father, a World War II veteran who died in 2020. How would he have reacted to this book?

SAMET: My father died in December of 2020 while I was working on the last revisions to the book. He was, in large measure, the reason I wrote it. The whole project has its deepest roots in something we used to do together: I grew up watching World War II movies with him, and that was my first exposure to depictions of war in popular culture. My father was an air traffic controller in the Army Air Corps and served in a series of stateside bases and overseas in India. He was very young at the time, and I think he saw a lot of things that he never expected to see. I’m sure we would have agreed about certain points and disagreed about others in the book, and I think we would have had some great conversations. He was a man who valued the pursuit of truth, and it’s my persistent sadness that he was not able read it.

GAZETTE: What are the roots of the mythology about World War II being the “Good War”? How did it take hold in the American imagination?

SAMET: The most robust version of the mythology surrounding World War II is that of the 50th-anniversary commemoration, which took place in the 1990s. One of the people most closely identified with this version is the historian Stephen Ambrose, whose series of books about World War II were wildly popular; they’re fast-paced narratives that tell a particular story of the “Good War” and portray American service members as decent, boyish liberators who come to seem larger than life. Tom Brokaw labeled them the “The Greatest Generation” in his book of the same name. In terms of popular culture, several films that came out around that period, but particularly Steven Spielberg’s film “Saving Private Ryan” cemented this mythology in our imagination.

It’s an immensely flattering and seductive narrative. It seized the imagination because it came in the wake of wars that could not have been described as victories, chiefly Vietnam. In addition, the 50th anniversary came close on the heels of the First Gulf War, which was an overwhelming spectacle of American power and was viewed by the first President Bush, who was a World War II veteran, as the war that would once and for all cure what he and others called the “Vietnam syndrome.”

This concatenation of events crystallized the mythology and effectively wiped away the traces of the deep ambivalence — and differences of opinion — about World War II that existed while it was being fought and in its aftermath. But my book is not an argument that our participation was either unjustified or unnecessary. I believe it was both justified and necessary. It’s not an attempt to diminish in any way the cruelty or crimes of the regimes that we defeated or the significance of Allied victory. It’s not a history of the war per se, but rather of how it entered our national imagination and was transformed into something else.

GAZETTE: As a result of that mythology, you write, there is a “sentimental narrative” about World War II that obscures the historical reality of the conflict. Can you explain?

SAMET: When we think back to World War II, we say, “Everybody was united, everybody was behind the war,” and certainly in comparison to subsequent wars, that’s true. But that was not exactly the case. Before Pearl Harbor, there were many Americans who had no desire to intervene in the war: the America First committee — among whose members were public figures, U.S. senators, and a national hero, Charles Lindbergh — all were isolationists, and some were alarmingly sympathetic to European fascism. The isolationist sentiment was very strong after World War I.

Pearl Harbor changed a lot of minds, but the idea that everybody changed overnight is overstated. Several months after Pearl Harbor, members of the Roosevelt administration were worried that the country was growing complacent again. It is also the case that Pearl Harbor focused us on Japan — and the cry was to avenge, not to liberate — but we still didn’t declare war on Germany. Germany declared war on us. The idea that we went to war specifically or primarily to liberate Europe is largely a fiction, even though we obviously helped to accomplish that feat. There were plenty of people in the United States who weren’t interested in joining the world’s struggle against fascism and resented what they perceived to be the Roosevelt administration’s pushing the country closer and closer through Lend-Lease and other initiatives. We went to war because we were attacked and because we felt suddenly that there was an existential threat. We didn’t feel that before.

Another part of the myth is that everybody welcomed veterans with open arms. Movies and newspapers of the period present the figure of the World War II veteran as a wanderer, a modern-day Odysseus, a drifter, but that view has been mostly forgotten. Even at the time of the war’s 40th anniversary, a more nuanced view of the war was still prevalent. Around this time, Studs Terkel published his oral history of World War II [“The Good War”], which included everything from gung-ho veterans to the deeply damaged, from enthusiastic patriots to others who admitted they really didn’t know what the war was all about. What I admire about this work is that there’s no attempt to weave one coherent story, to unify the many attitudes toward the war. It offers a much healthier alternative to sentimentality — to remembering the war in a sort of hazy, rosy glow as a moment when everybody was 100 percent united by a cause and to celebrating the generation that fought it as possessing a kind of a greatness that was unmatched before or since.

GAZETTE: You say that to understand the mythology of World War II, one must understand that of the Civil War and the so-called Lost Cause of the Confederacy. What do these mythologies have in common?

SAMET: I view those as the two cataclysmic events in American history: the great domestic crisis of the Civil War in the 19th century and the transformative experience of World War II on the international stage in the 20th century. We can see all around us the damage done by the ways in which we have memorialized the Civil War. Eric Foner, the great historian of this period, has explained, “The Confederacy lost the war on the battlefield but won the war over memory.” We’re still dealing with that legacy every day. The Civil War feels very distant to us, World War II less so, of course, because there are veterans who are still alive. We have a powerful emotional response to those veterans — how could we not? It has taken us a long time to start to reckon with the consequences of uncritically accepting Civil War myths for so long. Even though it’s hard to understand the perils of the myth when it’s still being lived out, I wanted to suggest the magnitude of what happens when you buy wholesale a particular myth of war. That’s why I cast that retrospective glance on the Civil War.

GAZETTE: What do your students at West Point think about World War II?

SAMET: My students, when they graduate, will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army. To many of them, World War II is ancient history. What unites them is that, as one of my first-year students put it last semester, they’ve never known a country that’s not at war. Like so many Americans, they know about the Greatest Generation and the notion of the good war. They are also taken with the image of the World War II soldier as it is filtered through comics and the movies made from them, such as “Captain America.” So many comic-book heroes came of age fighting Nazis during World War II.

There’s sometimes an assumption that when we talk about war or teach war at West Point, we don’t teach anything that’s anti-war or that we don’t show the realities of it, which is grossly unfair to my students, who are thoughtful, committed, capable of deep introspection. We teach a wide range of literature, including some of the most searing anti-war memoirs. Who knows better than a veteran how terrible war is? Do my students believe the image of American soldiers as agents of freedom? Is that appealing to them? Absolutely. In the best case, one hopes that they will find themselves in that place, but they may also have to reckon with the ambiguity and confusion with which veterans of the wars of the last 20 years are dealing right now.

GAZETTE: What are the dangers of perpetuating myths about World War II?

SAMET: World War II gave us a way to look at the world as an unambiguous contest between good and evil. We have used a vocabulary that was inherited from it: Fascism became Islamofascism, the Axis Powers became the Axis of Evil, the second President Bush’s term to describe a constellation of unrelated adversaries. It also left us with the belief that the exercise of U.S. force would always magically bring about victory and would serve the cause of liberating the oppressed. As a result of that, we find ourselves, after decades of war and loss, having to reckon with the fact that our way of thinking and talking about war and about the world is hopelessly out of date. There’s an irony in the fact that a country that has always been predicated on reinvention and looking to the future now seems to draw its greatest strength from an event that happened 80 years in the past.

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World War Ii Essays (Examples)

1000+ documents containing “world war ii” .

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I am due to submit my long essay proposal for fields of war and humanitarianism and wants some ideas for my proposal structure to submit.

One of the most interesting issues in international relations is the role that nuclear weapons play in the effort to obtain peace.  Many people suggest that nuclear weapons can preserve peace .  The United States was the first country to actively deploy nuclear weapons in an effort to shorten a war by dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. The widespread destruction, which was unlike anything ever experienced in a war up to that point, is often credited with ushering in the end of World War II, at least in the Pacific....

I would like to get some tips on how to write an essay

You came to the “write” place for tips on how to write an essay.  We have a comprehensive guide to writing essays, as well as a number of shorter guides on how to complete some of the steps (like writing an outline) that you might need to take in order to complete your essay.  The first thing to do is to figure out what type of essay you are being asked to write.  When you know what type of essay you need to write, you can figure out how to approach it.

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Need help with essay topics on Visual Communications.

Visual communication covers a wide array of topics and has become increasingly important in the modern world.  With people constantly attached to a smart device of some sort, marketers and others have a means of continuously influencing people through visual communication . Visual communication involves the use of graphics to quickly and efficiently effectuate communication.  If you have ever heard the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words,” then you understand a little about visual communication.

Some topics to consider if you are writing an essay or a speech about visual communication include:

How to make an essay outline of the invention of cars.

Looking at how cars were invented and reality quickly became the go-to transportation method for much of the world is fascinating.  While the automobile was invented in Germany and France, Henry Ford , who mastered automation and the mass production of cars, probably deserves much of the credit for the automobile’s early successes.  In fact, Ford’s focuses on wages and affordability probably deserve credit for the rise of the American middle class, suggesting that the history of the automobile and the history of the middle class are inextricably intertwined.

I. Introduction

A. Precursors....

World War II or the

Governments turned out to be involved with original subjects for instance rationing, manpower distribution, home defense, removal in the time of air raid, and reply to job by an enemy control. The confidence and mind of the persons replied to management and publicity. Classically women were militarized to an exceptional degree. The achievement in rallying financial production was a main factor in secondary battle processes. Altogether of the power complicated had educated from their involvements on the Home front throughout orld ar I and strained to use its educations and evade its errors. Holocaust The harassment and genocide were done in different stages. Numerous laws to eliminate the Jews from the civil humanity, most conspicuously the Nuremberg Laws, were passed in Germany years earlier the eruption of orld ar II. Concentration camps were recognized in which convicts were exposed to slave labor up until they expired of tiredness or illness. here….

Works Cited

Evans, R.J. (2004). The Third Reich at War 1939 -- 1945. . London: Allen Lane. .

Leffler, M.P., & Painter, D.S. (2006). Origins of the Second Wold Warr: An International History. Boston: Routledge.

Maddox, R.J. (1995). The United States and World War II. Westview Press. Macmillan Publishing Company. .

Nicholas Balabkins. (2005). "Germany Under Direct Controls: Economic Aspects of Industrial Disarmament 1945 -- 1948." New York: Rutgers University Press,.

World War II in the Context of History and Modern Warfare

World War II in the Context of History and Modern Warfare he 20th Century was simultaneously a Century of exceptional advancement and unsurpassed violence. Why was this a Century of incomparable violence? he quick answer is that we, as a human race, used many of our advancements to become far more efficient killers; where advancements of prior centuries allowed armies to kill tens of thousands, the advancements of the 20th Century enabled armies to kill tens of millions. he longer answer involves military technological revolutions, military inventions used in World War II, business methods that drastically increased war production, the transformation of national wealth to effective fighting power, and the conversion of civilian moral energies into the will to win. Keegan, Overy, Ferguson and Weinberg, in turn, either support those conclusions or, at the very least, do not deny them. Analysis: a. he Four Military echnological Revolutions Knox and Williamson point to four military….

The First World War also resulted in vastly improved infrastructure. Marshall speaks of sophisticated transportation systems moved personnel and supplies in volume and speed that were unknown merely decades earlier.[footnoteRef:27] Keegan, Ferguson, Overy and Weinberg do not dwell on these transportation developments during World War I but Keegan, Overy and Weinberg speak of their extensive use by both the Allies[footnoteRef:28] and the Germans[footnoteRef:29] during World War II. [27 S.L.A. Marshall, World War I (New York, NY: Mariner Books, 2001), p. viii.] [28: Keegan, p. 100; Overy, p. 53; Weinberg, p. 116.] [29: Keegan, p. 116; Overy, p. 49; Weinberg, p. 143.]

For example, in approximately 2 weeks in August, 1914, French railway system was so sophisticated and efficient that it transported more than 3,700,000 troops and the Germans transported approximately 2,000,000 well-armed troops through their railway system in even less time.[footnoteRef:30] [30: Marshall, p. viii.]

Marshall also asserts that the enormity of this first "World War" required the construction of factories and training of manpower in the technical requirements for manufacturing arms and ammunition, tied intimately to technology but also requiring vastly improved efficiency in living accommodations and all the accoutrements, connections and transportation. For one example, as Essen, the Germans built the Krupp works, consisting of a city-within-a-city of 41,000 workers for the construction of heavy weapons and having its own streets, police force, fire department and traffic regulations.[footnoteRef:31] Marshall provides another example in Woolwich, England, in which one factory and all required materiel and workers were transported and assembled to churn out 30,000 rounds of ammunition each month and transport them.[footnoteRef:32] Weinberg also mentions the importance of the United States' manufacture of munitions during World War I.[footnoteRef:33] Keegan, Ferguson and Overy do not mention munitions factory developments through World War I but assert that the importance of such factories was recognized from the very early stages of World War II.[footnoteRef:34] Marshall also speaks of extensive railways built to transport forces, arms, supplies and artillery. One example is the construction of five new narrow-gauge railway lines across the Fifth Army's operation zone in the Verdun to transport weapons and ammunition to their positions.[footnoteRef:35] Keegan, Ferguson, Overy and Weinberg all speak of the importance of railways for both the Germans and the Allies.[footnoteRef:36] Necessity being the Mother of Invention, the necessities of a first World War led to markedly improved developments,

World War II When Attempting

These men represented a number of virtues and standards that were in accordance with those core, basic elements of humanity that the war threatened. The affection that the author feels for the old breed, in their attempts to help him and others ultimately win their own personal wars against debauchery, are alluded to in the following quotation. War is brutish, inglorious, and a terrible waste. Combat leaves an indelible mark on those who are forced to endure it. The only redeeming factors were my comrades' incredible bravery and their devotion to each other. The Marine Corps training taught us to kill efficiently and to try to survive. ut it also taught us loyalty to each other -- and love. 4 This sense of loyalty and love was the chief 'ammunition' in the real war within World War II. This was a war to maintain one's perspective, dignity, and values in circumstances….

Bibliography

Sledge, E.B. With the Old Breed. New York: Presidio Press, 2007.

Terkel, Studs. The Good War. New York: The New Press, 1997.

World War II Ww II Manhattan Project

World War II WW II Manhattan Project: Begun in 1939, this project was the codename for the United States' secret Atomic Bomb project. With America's entry into the war, the project grew substantially and ultimately involved more than 125,000 people, 37 separate installations, 13 university laboratories and a number of the nation's top scientists. (History.com: "World War 2: Atomic Bomb") In 1942 the project was put under the control of the U.S. Army with General Leslie Groves in command and obert Oppenheimer as its director. It was also at this time that the project was consolidated and moved to Los Alamos New Mexico where it culminated with the building and detonation of the first atomic device on July 16, 1945. Hiroshima: Hiroshima is the site of the first atomic bombing of a city in wartime and took place on August 6, 1945. The attack was the culmination of the Manhattan Project, America's secret….

The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Project. "FDR's Brain Trust." Accessed 10 Dec. 2012.

 http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/teachinger/glossary/brains-trust.cfm 

History.com. "The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki." Accessed 10 Dec. 2012.

 http://www.history.com/topics/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki

World War II Home Front

Not only did a consumer need the money to make their purchase, they needed government approval in the form of ration stamps and cards. This severe restriction on the economic freedom of American citizens was tolerated due to the dire nature of the conflict. Another change in American society was less noticeable, but every bit as restrictive. Americans became the victims of a constant stream of propaganda ranging from posters covering the walls of public buildings to the newscasts and films shown in theaters. Again, for the sake of the nation, Americans again tolerated an intrusion into a sphere that had traditionally been independent of the government. Members of the Hollywood community participated in propaganda films, made speeches at bond rallies, and performed for the troops. The newspapers and radio media reported only what was approved by the government censors and the American people received a very one-sided view….

"Granada Japanese Internment Camp." Colorado.gov: The Official State Web Portal.

Web 11 Dec. 2011.

 http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/wwcod/granada3.htm 

Japanese-American Internment." Smithsonian Education. Web. 11 Dec. 2011.

World War II -- a Catastrophic Event

orld ar II -- a Catastrophic Event that Changed the orld hat was the most crucial and important cause of orld ar II? It would be fair to look to the Nazis and Hitler's fanaticism as the most crucial and important cause of orld ar II. And certainly historians and scholars have few doubts as to Hitler's accountability in the tragic, bloody and catastrophic slaughter in Europe. But what were the events and issues that allowed the Nazis to come to power? hat propaganda did the Nazis use to seal their hold on Germany? Other causes need to be weighed in the matrix of II prior to making the judgment that the Nazi obsession for expansion and for building an Aryan race constituted the most crucial cause of the war. Thesis: The main, the most crucial and important underlying cause of II was the Treaty of Versailles. This paper will detail the specific….

Angelfire. (2010). Adolph Hitler. Retrieved March 12, 2011, from  http://www.angelfire.com/wy/wwi/hitler.html .

Angelfire. (2010). The Propaganda of the Nazi Party and the Nazi Government. Retrieved March

12, 2011, from  http://www.angelfire.com/wy/wwi/prop.html .

Angelfire. (2010). The Treaty of Versailles. Retrieved March 12, 2011, from

World War II -- Life

Food, gasoline, oil, soap, and clothing were all scarcely distributed so as to not take too much away from the people at war (Ames Historical Society). For the first time as well, income taxes were implemented on items as well as withheld from people's checks. Bond buying also became a popular way of funding the war (PBS). Life in the United States transformed after its involvement in World War II. Despite the positive changes that the United States had seen in their economy, Great Britain's experience was not so positive. Europe had already been participating in the full war effort for two years prior to the involvement of the United States. Due to their proximity to enemy countries such as Germany, Japan, and Italy, Great Britain felt the full effects of the war (BBC). While the United States was busy avoiding the war, the citizens of Great Britain lived in….

References:

Ames Historical Society. "There's a War On, You Know!" Rationing on the U.S. Homefront during WWII. Ames, Iowa Historical Society, 2004. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. .

BBC. "More Information About: The Home Front." BBC HISTORY. BBC, 2013. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. .

PBS. "The Home Front." Masterpiece. PBS.org, 2003. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. .

"World War II." New York Times (1923-Current file): 1. Aug 12, 1945. ProQuest: Historical Database. Web. 23 Apr. 2013.

World War II Economical and Military Abilities

World War II Economical and military abilities of major participants of the war - Germany Soviet Union France Great Britain Important military campaigns France (including Belgium and Holland) Balkan campaign (Greece and Yugoslavia) ussian campaign Industrial production in 1943 World War II is the most tragic but extremely interesting period of human history of al centuries. It was a regular continuation of previous absurd bloody conflict - World War I. New war began after Germany was defeated in WWI and after winners didn't give Germany any chance to have enough resources to feed own citizens and reconstruct national infrastructure. But British Empire wanted to become richer; United States wished the same. France in fact was destructed even more than Germany and wished to capture not only new territories but also to get as high contribution as it was necessary to restore ruined economics and rebuild vast lands bordering Germany (France was one of the main theaters of war in Europe). ussia….

1. The Great World War 1914-1945 -- Volume 1: Lightning Strikes Twice

John Bourne, Peter Liddle, & Ian Whitehead

2. Hitler's Gladiator. Charles Messenger, Conway Martim Press, 1988

3. Forbidden Britain -- Our Secret Past 1900-1960

WWII World War II Bring a Number

WWII World War II bring a number of images to the minds of most Americans: the Atomic omb, the Japanese Internment Camps, fighter planes, military jeeps, assault rifles, and soldiers in battle. The overall impression of the war is very masculine, from troops of male soldiers to songs about our "boys" overseas. However, women played a very significant role in World War II, and it is believed by most war historians that without such a strong backing by the female population, America would not have been victorious in the war effort. Women had many roles in the second World War; American propaganda posters proclaimed, "Women In the War: We Can't Win Without Them!" (Giampaoli) Women had to enter the workforce to increase production of wartime goods and to take the place of the male workers that were drafted. Housewives had to completely reinvent the way in which they ran their households.….

Giampaoli, Cristina. "Women in World War II: Would Life Ever be the Same?" History 175 Project [online]. San Diego: University of San Diego. [cited 4 May 2005]. Available from World Wide Web: (http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/st/~cg3/outline.html)

The Library of Congress. 2002. "War, Women, and Opportunity." Women Come to the Front: Journalists, Photographers, and Broadcasters During World War II [online]. Washington, D.C.: The Library of Congress. [cited 4 May 2005]. Available from World Wide Web: ( http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/wcf/wcf0002.html )

Leila Rupp, Linda. Mobilizing Women for War: German and American Propoganda, 1939-1945. Princeton: Princeton University press, 1978.

Wolf, Wehr. 2005. Women Airforce Service Pilots. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia [online]. [cited 4 May 2005]. Available from World Wide Web: ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_Airforce_Service_Pilots )

World War II the Role That the

World War II The role that the President of the United States of America played in the entry of America into the II World War is a question that has been debated by historians again and again over the years. The widespread belief is that President Roosevelt, upon becoming aware, by 1937, of the threat being caused to America by Japanese and German expansion, saw no other option but to try to arouse an isolationist nation. The famous speech by the President in October 1937 delivered in Chicago is referred to as the Quarantine Speech. This speech was made about two months after the Japanese invasion of China in order to create awareness of the dangerous situation brought about by the Axis Powers. FDR was also demonstrating, in a landmark decision on America's foreign policy, his stand against the Axis Powers. Due to the widespread opposition to this resolve of the….

23. "Introduction to the War in the Pacific"

24. "Introduction to the War in Europe" Retrieved at  http://www.worldwar2history.info/Europe/ . Accessed on 03/18/2003

25. "A New Vision of American Omnipotence" Retrieved at  http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&showHideToc=0&docId=24132330Accessed  on 03/18/2003

World War II Choices Reexamining

The generally accepted reasoning behind that bombing is that thousands of United States troops would have died in a protracted war and a clear message had to be sent. Regardless of how one assesses the issue, the fallout, no pun intended, from Japan's choice was massive. Depending on how one perceives Weinberg, he did cover all of the normal bases but perceptions of his worldview may lead some to believe that he did not. After all, some may view Truman's choice to bomb Japan as heroic and proper while others may view it as tragic and vile even with the attack on Pearl Harbor and the aggregate actions of both Japan and Hitler over World War II up to and including the Holocaust. No matter how noble and academic someone may seem or portend himself/herself to be, worldview and historical perceptions almost inevitably color the research, perspective and findings of….

Keegan, Richard. The Battle for History: Re-Fighting World War II. New York: Vintage Books, 1995.

Overy, Richard. Why the Allies Won. New York: WW Norton & Company, 1995.

Weinberg, Gerhard. A World at Arms: A Global History of World War II. Columbia: Columbia University Press, 1994.

World War II Japan's Wars of Aggression

orld ar II Japan's wars of aggression and conquest began long before the fascist takeover of the 1930s and the alliance with Nazi Germany in 1940, and the idea that the Japanese were a superior race also had a long pedigree -- as indeed did the Nordic-Aryan racism of the Nazis. Both used the tactics of blitzkrieg and surprise to end up in control of most of Europe and Asia by 1942, before the tide began to turn against them at the battles of Midway and Stalingrad. In 1940 the U.S. armed forces were smaller than those of Belgium and Romania, grew to eleven million by 1944, and became a far more formidable force than the Germans, Japanese, British or Russians would have imagined at the outset. The U.S. military very quickly overcame the deficiencies in training, command and effectiveness it had shown in the early battles like Kasserine Pass and….

WORKS CITED

Dower, John W. War without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War. Pantheon, 1987.

Mansoor, Peter R. The GI Offensive in Europe: The Triumph of American Infantry Divisions, 1941-45 (University Press of Kansas, 1999).

World War II Propaganda Posters

Even before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government began targeting Japanese-American businessmen and placing them under arrest. Following Pearl Harbor, the efforts expanded beyond businessmen and targeted the whole of the Japanese community. Executive Order 9066 "set into motion the exclusion from certain areas, and the evacuation and mass incarceration of 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry living on the est Coast, most of whom were U.S. citizens or legal permanent resident aliens." (Children of the Camps). The conditions faced by these people absolutely contravened the principles of liberty that underlined American participation in the war; they were incarcerated without due process, lost their jobs, had to leave their homes, had inadequate medical care, and were surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards, despite the fact that there was no evidence to suggest than even a single Japanese-American was aiding Japan in the war effort. (Children of….

The Children of the Camps Project. "Internment History." PBS.org. 1999. PBS. 9 Feb. 2008  http://www.pbs.org/childofcamp/history/index.html .

Davis, Ronald. "Racial Etiquette: Racial Customs and Rules of Racial Behavior in Jim Crow

America." JimCrowHistory.org. Unknown. Jim Crow History. 9 Feb. 2008 http://www.jimcrowhistory.org/history/history.htm.

Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. "Mobilizing for War: Poster Art of World War II."

World War II and Print

Source: German Propaganda Archive, Calvin University This poster translates: "Unshakable, determined to fight, certain of victory! "(German Propaganda Archive). Typical themes in German Propaganda posters were anti-Semitism, a call to the labor force, support and loyalty for Hitler, paper and clothing drives, as well as special programs, such as programs to send children to the countryside for safety. Many of the themes overlapped with American messages. However, as one examines the collection of war posters as a whole, it becomes apparent that both sides had entirely different agendas and different techniques for getting the message across. American posters were more personal and used imagery that captured the audience and pulled at their heartstrings. German posters were often unrealistic in their presentation. The Office of War Information There were several forms of media available during World War II. However, there were several reasons for the choice to use posters as the medium of choice for….

Bytwerk, Randall, www.calvin.eduCalvin College.German Propaganda Archive. Calvin Universtiy.  http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/posters2.htm 

Ellis, R. Getting the Message Out: The Poster Boys of World War II, Part 2. Government Archives. Summer 2005, Vol. 37, No. 2.  http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2005/summer/posters-2.html 

Floyd McKay, www.commondreams.orgThe Seattle Times, February 19, 2006.

Herman, E. And Chomsky, N. Manufacturing Consent. Pantheon Books, 1988.

World War II D-Day

orld ar II - D-Day D-Day, during orld ar II, June 6, 1944, symbolizes the most significant military accomplishments of this century (Alter, 1994). It was an assault in Normandy, France, between the United States and German Soldiers ("D-Day," 2004). orld ar II was a preventable tragedy and its occurrence represented an immense political failure. It was a national trauma that permanently changed us. The shared experiences of scrap drives rationing, anxiety issues, and personal loss inspired a generational solidarity that still endures. The need to finance the war led to the development of income tax withholding. In 1941, only 7 million Americans filed tax returns and by 1944, 42 million did. Migration of individuals to California and Northern cities was a result of the war (Samuelson, 1994). According to Charles Richardson, of the North Shore regiment, at the time of war, he and his peers had trained and practiced for so….

Alter, Jonathon. "A tough act to follow." Newsweek 123.21 (1994): 39-40.

"D-Day: June 6, 1944." American History 39.3 (2004): 48-52.

Humphreys, Jessica. "Remembering D-Day." Beaver 84.5 (2004): 56-57.

Samuelson, Robert. "War and rememberence." Newsweek 123.3 (1994): 39-41.

image

Drama - World

Governments turned out to be involved with original subjects for instance rationing, manpower distribution, home defense, removal in the time of air raid, and reply to job by…

World War II in the Context of History and Modern Warfare he 20th Century was simultaneously a Century of exceptional advancement and unsurpassed violence. Why was this a Century of…

These men represented a number of virtues and standards that were in accordance with those core, basic elements of humanity that the war threatened. The affection that the…

World War II WW II Manhattan Project: Begun in 1939, this project was the codename for the United States' secret Atomic Bomb project. With America's entry into the war, the project…

Not only did a consumer need the money to make their purchase, they needed government approval in the form of ration stamps and cards. This severe restriction on…

orld ar II -- a Catastrophic Event that Changed the orld hat was the most crucial and important cause of orld ar II? It would be fair to look to the…

American History

Food, gasoline, oil, soap, and clothing were all scarcely distributed so as to not take too much away from the people at war (Ames Historical Society). For the…

World War II Economical and military abilities of major participants of the war - Germany Soviet Union France Great Britain Important military campaigns France (including Belgium and Holland) Balkan campaign (Greece and Yugoslavia) ussian campaign Industrial production in 1943 World…

WWII World War II bring a number of images to the minds of most Americans: the Atomic omb, the Japanese Internment Camps, fighter planes, military jeeps, assault rifles, and soldiers…

World War II The role that the President of the United States of America played in the entry of America into the II World War is a question that has…

The generally accepted reasoning behind that bombing is that thousands of United States troops would have died in a protracted war and a clear message had to be…

orld ar II Japan's wars of aggression and conquest began long before the fascist takeover of the 1930s and the alliance with Nazi Germany in 1940, and the idea that…

Even before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government began targeting Japanese-American businessmen and placing them under arrest. Following Pearl Harbor, the efforts expanded beyond businessmen…

Source: German Propaganda Archive, Calvin University This poster translates: "Unshakable, determined to fight, certain of victory! "(German Propaganda Archive). Typical themes in German Propaganda posters were anti-Semitism, a call to…

orld ar II - D-Day D-Day, during orld ar II, June 6, 1944, symbolizes the most significant military accomplishments of this century (Alter, 1994). It was an assault in Normandy,…

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Ormes, Sara. "A Masterable Past? Swiss Historical Memory of World War II." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2011. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/honors_theses/4.

Ryan, Kathleen M. ""When flags flew high" : propaganda, memory, and oral history for World War II female veterans /." Connect to title online (Scholars' Bank) Connect to title online (ProQuest), 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1794/8332.

Prasannam, Natthanai. "Mnemonic communities : politics of World War II memory in Thai screen culture." Thesis, University of St Andrews, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/12247.

Monnin, Quintin M. "Collective Memory: American Perception as a Result of World War II Memorabilia Collecting." Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1587402522418034.

Yasuda, Kaho. "The Flying Tigers: Transnational Memories of a World War II Collaboration." Oberlin College Honors Theses / OhioLINK, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=oberlin1526509432472335.

Prosser, Michelle. "Memories of combat: how World War II veterans construct their memory over time." Thesis, Kansas State University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/18709.

Ramsay, Debra. "Through a glass, darkly: American media and the memory of World War II." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.606267.

Gilbert, Gladitz Georgia. "Let Our Voices Also Be Heard : Memory Pluralism in Latvian Museums About World War II and the Post-War Period." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Hugo Valentin-centrum, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-384426.

Popescu, Diana. "Perceptions of Holocaust memory : a comparative study of public reactions to art about the Holocaust at the Jewish Museum in New York and the Israel Museum in Jerusalem (1990s-2000s)." Thesis, University of Southampton, 2012. https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/367397/.

Barenberg, C. R. "Memory and representation of World War II in contemporary British and German fiction : a comparative analysis." Thesis, Nottingham Trent University, 2010. http://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/95/.

Watkins, Nicolle. "Gender, community and the memory of the Second World War occupation of the Channel Islands." Thesis, University of Essex, 2018. http://repository.essex.ac.uk/21833/.

Pinegar, Adriana. "Glimpses of World War II in Denmark: Memory and History in Frayn's Copenhagen and Sibbern's Resistance Scrapbook." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2015. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/5564.

Thalassis, Nafsika. "Treating and preventing trauma : British military psychiatry during the Second World War." Thesis, University of Salford, 2004. http://usir.salford.ac.uk/2160/.

Bloxham, Donald. "The Holocaust on trial : the war crimes trials in the formation of history and memory." Thesis, University of Southampton, 1998. https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/42317/.

Woolgar, Tereza. "Exploring public and private versions of WW2 memory : memory, identity, ideology and propaganda in relation to the representations of the Czech RAF airmen." Thesis, University of Gloucestershire, 2012. http://eprints.glos.ac.uk/2361/.

Pugh, Nicole. "In The Middle." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2010. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1264.

Kyriakides, Yvonne. "Art after Auschwitz : dimensions of ethics and agency in responses to genocide in post World War II art practice." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2012. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:9eb26a2a-13ed-42d6-80f1-e353c35c9d7f.

Sheftel, Anna. "The construction of formal and informal historical narratives of violence in north-western Bosnia, World War II until present." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.669877.

Amorim, Mariana Moreira de. "Patrimônio histórico, memória e turismo: o legado da Força Expedicionária Brasileira. Uma reconstrução possível?" Universidade de São Paulo, 2017. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/100/100135/tde-29012018-210146/.

Trafton, John. "Genre memory in the twenty-first century American war film : how post-9/11 American war cinema reinvents genre codes and notions of national identity." Thesis, University of St Andrews, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/3583.

Weeks, Eric C. "Memory and Meaning: Constructed Commemoration in a Nation's Capital City." Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1353549838.

Steinsieck, Abigail Rose. "The Third Occupation: Polish Memory, Victimhood, and Populism." Ohio University Honors Tutorial College / OhioLINK, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1587735544409326.

Guida, Michael. "Birds, bombs, silence : listening to nature during wartime and its aftermath in Britain, 1914-1945." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2018. http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/75136/.

McCormick, Connor. "Speaking for the Picture: Memory, Image, and Identity in the Works of W.G. Sebald and Chris Marker." VCU Scholars Compass, 2015. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/3758.

Freire, Carlos Renato AraÃjo. "Quebra-quebra de 1942: um dia para lembrar." Universidade Federal do CearÃ, 2014. http://www.teses.ufc.br/tde_busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=19865.

Smyth, Terry. "The roots of remembrance : tracing the memory practices of the children of Far East prisoners of war." Thesis, University of Essex, 2017. http://repository.essex.ac.uk/20008/.

Birdwhistell, Benjamin P. "Manipulated Museum History and Silenced Memories of Aggression: Historical Revisionism and Japanese Government Censorship of Peace Museums." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2017. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/2312.

Kato, Megumi Humanities &amp Social Sciences Australian Defence Force Academy UNSW. "Representations of Japan and Japanese people in Australian literature." Awarded by:University of New South Wales - Australian Defence Force Academy. School of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2005. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/38718.

Conceição, Sérgio Lima. "Em guerra que cobra fuma, alagoano é convocado." Universidade Federal de Alagoas, 2015. http://www.repositorio.ufal.br/handle/riufal/1372.

Zhang, Yibin. "Crossroads A World War II story." Thesis, California State University, Long Beach, 2013. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=1523219.

There is a vacancy in history, a vacancy that contains a crucial understanding and hinders us from comprehending history as a whole. The emptiness that we feel does not come from dissipated events or hollow periods. It comes from a lack of perspective, or an absence of empathetic dispositions.

To elucidate this disconcerting question, I developed a project called Crossroads, which is an interactive narrative piece that can be used as a tool to let people view World War II history from numerous lives. This is a collective project that follows different characters that lived during World War II. Just by observing the content, the viewer can see how the war impacted their lives. Some characters in my project may have crossed paths with each other during the World War II period, but may have dramatically different impression afterwards.

Hall, Kenneth Estes, and Chritian Krug. "Noir Westerns after World War II." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2014. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/590.

Krason, Monica M. "You Can Go Home Again: The Misunderstood Memories of Captain Charles Ryder." Cleveland State University / OhioLINK, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1560934108115459.

Richter, Yvonne. "World War II moments in our family /." unrestricted, 2006. http://etd.gsu.edu/theses/available/etd-09012006-152739/.

Ludewig, George Frederick. "A childhood shaped by World War II." Access to citation, abstract and download form provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company; downloadable PDF file, 72 p, 2009. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1885544251&sid=6&Fmt=2&clientId=8331&RQT=309&VName=PQD.

Kucherenko, Olga. "Soviet child-soldiers in World War II." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2009. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.611276.

Packard, Jerrold Michael. "The European neutrals in World War II." PDXScholar, 1989. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/3984.

Taylor, Samantha Alisha. "A Comparative Study of America's Entries into World War I and World War II." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2009. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1860.

Strelcovas, Simonas. "World War II refugees in Lithuania 1939 – 1940." Doctoral thesis, Lithuanian Academic Libraries Network (LABT), 2007. http://vddb.library.lt/obj/LT-eLABa-0001:E.02~2007~D_20071228_121330-91280.

Berger, Miles B. "A West Virginia family in World War II." Morgantown, W. Va. : [West Virginia University Libraries], 2005. https://eidr.wvu.edu/etd/documentdata.eTD?documentid=4300.

Nagata, Yuriko. "Japanese internment in Australia during World War II /." Title page, contents and summary only, 1993. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phn147.pdf.

Bandy, Katherine A. "The National World War II Museum - Entertainment Department." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2015. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/aa_rpts/187.

Parillo, Mark Philip. "The Japanese merchant marine in World War II /." The Ohio State University, 1987. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1487329662144951.

Morriss, Agnieszka. "The BBC Polish Service during World War II." Thesis, City, University of London, 2016. http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/15839/.

Fortune, Gabrielle Ann. "'Mr Jones' wives': World War II war brides of New Zealand servicemen." Thesis, University of Auckland, 2005. http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/fullcit/3201550.

Rickey, Cathy Louise. "Food and food habits in wartime: Civil War to World War II." The Ohio State University, 1988. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1391699545.

Franco, Jere. "Patriotism on trial: Native Americans in World War II." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/184991.

Mac, Caba Seamus. "The neutral heart : Irish poetry and World War II." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.307544.

Hall, Kenneth Estes. "Decision Time in Noir Westerns After World War II." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2012. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/451.

Mills, Rebecca Margaret. "Post-World War II elegy and the geographic imagination." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/14663.

Schick, Joshua J. "Firing Point: Patrol Torpedo Boats during World War II." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2012. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1602.

The Good War

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56 pages • 1 hour read

“The Good War”: An Oral History of World War II

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction

Book 1, Section 1

Book 1, Section 2

Book 1, Section 3

Book 1, Section 4

Book 1, Section 5

Book 1, Section 6

Book 1, Section 7

Book 2, Section 1

Book 2, Section 2

Book 2, Section 3

Book 2, Section 4

Book 2, Section 5

Book 3, Section 1

Book 3, Section 2

Book 3, Section 3

Book 3, Section 4

Book 4, Section 1

Book 4, Section 2

Book 4, Section 3

Book 4, Section 4

Book 4, Section 5

Book 4, Section 6

Key Figures

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Introduction Summary

The Introduction explains Terkel’s thesis and his purpose in compiling the interviews for the book. Despite World War II being “an event that changed the psyche as well as the face of the United States and the world” (3), Terkel finds that memory of the war is rapidly fading. Terkel recognizes that this is not a book of “hard fact and precise statistic” but of memory (3).

Terkel explains that “The Good War” examines how individuals who lived through World War II dealt with propaganda (which existed both in Germany and the United States) and bigotry against the enemy. Also, Terkel discusses how his interviewees illustrate the impacts World War II has had on the United States’s view of its place in the world, on American prosperity, and on the rights of women and African Americans.

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Mr. Hoffman's Blog

Hooks for Writing an Essay about World War II

Essay writing seems to be a boring business practically to all students. It is important to mention that academic tasks may be devoted to some serious and terrible things like international military conflicts, for example. To create a good text, you should remember about the audience. So, use various hooks to make a composition more readable and exciting . They can be quotes, interesting facts, and even jokes.

Why use hooks, you might wonder? Everything is quite simple, as hooks add expressivity to your main ideas and show to the reader that your text is worth reading. A hook may involve the audience by creating an intrigue, or may arise interest because of an interesting, unknown fact that induces further reading for self-development. In any way, as a fish hook helps the fisherman to get the catch and feed his family, your hooks may work to your benefit in terms of winning you fame and recognition of the readership, or an A grade from the supervisor.

Examples of Hooks to Use

Hooks are used to attract readers’ attention, that is why it is possible to use them at the very beginning. Here are some of them:

  • Jokes and anecdotes. Even if you write about such serious thing as World War II, you may use political jokes and anecdotes to take the heat off. For example, the following ones:
  • A little German boy is talking with his old grandfather:

– Grampa, what is the largest city in the world?

– Stalingrad! We could not go over it even after 200 days!

  • Hitler calls Mussolini:

– Benito, aren’t you in Athens yet?

– Excuse me, what? I can’t hear you, Adolf.

– I said aren’t you in Athens yet?

– I can’t hear you. You must be ringing from a long way off, probably London.

So, if you find it appropriate, you may use them or look for some more such jokes in the Internet.

  • Allusions from literature. Using allusions from texts of famous authors may be suitable in this case. For example, Orwell, in the first chapter of “1984”, gave the allusion to London in the years of World War II: “And the bombed sites where the plaster dust swirled in the air….”. Thus, you can analyze other authors and begin your essay with the collection of similar allusions.
  • Interesting facts. To make your composition more captivating, you can include different interesting facts in it. The list of facts is given below.
  • There was an unusual military man in the USA Navy. He was… William Hitler, a nephew of the Fuhrer.
  • The majority of Japanese kamikazes were bolos. Only 1 in 9 of suicide pilots hit their targets.
  • Queen Elizabeth II was a mechanic and a driver in the Auxiliary Territorial Service of the British army.
  • The number of people killed by Japanese troops in China is bigger than the number of Jews killed in the Holocaust.
  • Canada declared war on Japan even faster than the USA did. It happened immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
  • The number of Americans killed or wounded while they defended Alaska from Japanese troops is bigger than the number of casualties at Pearl Harbor.
  • Nazi soldiers took methamphetamine to increase their alertness and physical power.

Thus, you may use all these things as hooks to make your text concerning this global military conflict more exciting. However, it is strongly recommended to keep the promise given at the beginning of the story, and if your hook is vivid and involving, do not proceed to a boring narrative right afterwards. The impression is still produced with the entire work, not a hook alone, so all work has to be good for you to get the readers’ acclaim. Otherwise, if you don’t have enough time or find it difficult to describe, you can delegate the assignment to professional authors or use the services of custom essay writing teams who know how to create it perfectly.

good world war 2 thesis

Kidal Delonix is a contributor to Mr. Hoffman's blog. The views and opinions are entirely his/her own and may not reflect Mr Hoffman's views.

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In Jerusalem, Palestinian Christians observe scaled-down Good Friday rituals

JERUSALEM — Hundreds of Christians participated in a customary Good Friday procession through the limestone walls of Jerusalem’s Old City, commemorating one of the faith’s most sacred days with noticeably thinner crowds amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The procession, which normally draws thousands of foreign visitors, was unusually local — mostly Palestinian Christians, joined by some foreigners living in Jerusalem and a few undeterred tourists.

The procession passes along the Way of the Cross, or Via Dolorosa, the route believed to have been walked by Jesus to his crucifixion. Squads of Israeli police set up barricades along the path, rerouting shoppers in the Old City’s bustling Muslim quarter to make way for hundreds of pilgrims.

A young group of Palestinian Arab scouts led the day’s procession, past the 14 stations, each marking an event that befell Jesus on his final journey. Hundreds of Palestinian Christians walked in their wake. Behind them was a small parade of the Franciscan religious order, composed mainly of foreigners who live in Jerusalem.

“We wait for this every year,” said Munira Kamar, a Palestinian Christian from the Old City, who waved to the cross-bearers who stopped to give her young daughter a kiss on the cheek. “Of course, this year we are unhappy because of the situation with the ongoing war.”

Thousands of Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, launched after Hamas’ Oct. 7 killings and hostage-taking in Israel.

The impact of the war was clear at the procession’s final stations are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and laid to rest before his resurrection on Easter. There, instead of the crowds who normally queue for hours in the church courtyard, entrance to the site was easy.

The city’s streets were noticeably devoid of Palestinian Christians from the West Bank, who normally flock to the Holy City for Easter. Since Oct. 7, Palestinian worshippers have needed special permission to cross checkpoints into Jerusalem.

Despite the thinned crowds, shopkeepers, whose heavy metal doors are usually closed on Fridays, threw them open for tourists seeking Catholic memorabilia. But shoppers were few and far between.

“Comparing last year’s Easter festivities with this year is like light and day,” said Fayaz Dakkak, a Palestinian storeowner whose family first opened the shop in 1942. His shop stood empty.

“Usually people are joyful today and kids are excited,” he said. “But when you compare children here who have water and food and a family to what’s happening in Gaza, how can you be happy?”

An estimated 50,000 Christian Palestinians live in the West Bank and Jerusalem, according to the U.S. State Department’s international religious freedom report for 2022. Approximately 1,300 Christians lived in Gaza, it said. Some Christians are also citizens of Israel. Many Palestinian Christians live in diaspora communities.

A few tourists braved the day. Carmen Ros, a lawyer who lives in Jerusalem, had managed to corral a group of pilgrims from Spain to visit the country for a religious tour. The group rested in the shade outside the church.

“They were afraid of the situation at first,” she said, “but I told them here in Jerusalem, it’s safe, we don’t have violence. We are close to Gaza, but the Christian people are not the target of terrorism.”

The celebrations coincided with the third Friday in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with worshippers once again flocking to the revered Al-Aqsa mosque for prayer. Despite fears the ongoing war would spark clashes at the revered Al-Aqsa mosque, Ramadan has so far been peaceful , under tight Israeli security.

Sister Harriet Kabaije, a pilgrim from Uganda who moved to Jerusalem three weeks ago to live in a monastery, said she was holding the people of Gaza in her prayers. She said she believed that peace could be achieved in the region.

“Many people think that the war here is natural,” she said. “But when Jesus was in Bethlehem, it was peaceful. We know that people are suffering in Gaza so we carry them in our prayers and pray that peace can return to this land.”

Elsewhere, Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at the Colosseum in Rome, the Vatican said, to “conserve his health in view of the vigil tomorrow and Mass on Easter Sunday.”

It was the second time Francis had skipped the traditional procession in his 11-year papacy, an event that St. John Paul II famously skipped just before he died in 2005. Francis had also skipped the event in 2023 because he was recovering from bronchitis and it was a particularly cold night.

In Spain, several Good Friday street processions were canceled due to storms that provided some much-needed rain to areas battling a prolonged drought. Seville’s brotherhoods were forced to call off the processions of their giant floats bearing sculptures of Jesus of the Virgin for the first time in over a decade due to bad weather.

In Chicago, hundreds of spectators flocked to the city’s Pilsen neighborhood to witness a Good Friday tradition — the 47th Via Crucis procession reenacting scenes from Jesus’ final days.

“It’s the story that we all know from when we were little kids,” said Jason Rodriguez, a Pilsen resident and event volunteer. “This reenactment drives home the suffering, the strength and the passion that our Lord had.”

Associated Press writers Teresa Crawford in Chicago, Nicole Winfield in Rome and Joseph Wilson in Madrid contributed to this report.

This story corrects that this is the second time that Francis skipped the procession.

good world war 2 thesis

Pope writes meditations for Via Crucis at Colosseum, Vatican says

St. John Paul II started the tradition in 1985 of asking different people to write the prayers and meditations on the Stations of the Cross for the annual Good Friday service at Rome's Colosseum. But the canonized Polish pope wrote them himself in the year 2000 and Pope Francis has decided to write them this year. The service is broadcast around the world.

Cindy Wooden

A cross lit with candles in front of Rome’s ancient Colosseum is seen before the Good Friday Way of the Cross service April 7, 2023. The Vatican announced Pope Francis would not attend the event as planned because of the cold. (CNS photo/Chris Warde-Jones)

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For the first time in his 11-year papacy, Pope Francis has chosen to write his own meditations for the Good Friday Way of the Cross service at Rome's Colosseum, the head of the Vatican press office said.

For the service March 29, Pope Francis has chosen the theme "In prayer with Jesus on the way of the cross," Matteo Bruni, the press office director, told reporters March 26.

St. John Paul II began a tradition in 1985 of entrusting the writing of the meditations to cardinals and other church personalities, well-known writers or groups of people, including young people and journalists. However, he wrote the reflections himself for the Colosseum ceremony during the Holy Year 2000.

Pope Francis at the Colosseum

The meditations in 2023 focused on the theme, "Voices of peace in a world at war." Several dicasteries of the Roman Curia formulated the prayers and meditations drawing from comments made at meetings with Pope Francis by people suffering from a lack of peace.

Pope Francis has asked Catholics to observe 2024 as a year of prayer in preparation for the Holy Year 2025.

The choice of "in prayer with Jesus" as the theme for the Way of the Cross, Bruni told reporters, is an indication that it will be "an act of meditation and spirituality with Jesus at the center."

Vatican News reported the meditations will have fewer direct references to current events than many previous editions had when migrants and refugees, victims of trafficking or people from countries at war helped write or inspired the reflections.

Bruni also told reporters that as of March 26 Pope Francis was still planning on attending the service. However, the weather and the pope's health will be the deciding factors. Released from the hospital just five days before Good Friday 2023, Pope Francis did not go to the Colosseum.

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

With its Rome bureau founded in 1950, Catholic News Service has been providing complete, in-depth coverage of the popes and the Vatican for more than 70 years.  CNS Rome continues to be your fair, faithful and informed connection to the Holy See.

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Explosion in the sky over Kyiv during a Russian missile strike on Sunday

Ukraine war briefing: two ships and base hit in Russian-occupied Crimea

Outcry after Russian missile breaches Polish airspace; Ukraine grapples with attacks on gas and electricity networks. What we know on day 761

  • See all our Russia-Ukraine war coverage

Ukraine hit two Russian military ships stationed at the illegally occupied peninsula of Crimea, the Ukrainian military said on Sunday. The targets were the landing ships Yamal and Azov, a communications centre and other Black Sea fleet infrastructure . “It was the most massive attack in recent times,” said the Russian-appointed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev. He said a 65-year-old man was killed and four people injured. Footage shared on social media showed a large blast in the city, sending a fireball and black smoke into the air.

Poland said it would demand an explanation from Moscow after a Russian missile breached Polish airspace during a missile attack on Ukraine , Ashifa Kassam writes . Nato member Poland put its forces on heightened alert as a consequence. “Above all, we call on the Russian Federation to stop the terrorist air attacks on the inhabitants and territory of Ukraine, end the war and address the country’s internal problems,” said a Polish foreign ministry statement.

After the Polish airspace breach, the US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, said Russia “continues to indiscriminately launch drones and missiles with no regard for millions of civilians, violating international law” .

An underground gas storage site in Ukraine was attacked on Sunday as Russian missile strikes on power facilities continued and rolling blackouts were occurring. Ukraine’s state-run Naftogaz energy firm reported the attack on the gas storage site, but added that gas supplies to consumers had not been affected. Most of Ukraine ’s gas storage capacity is in the western part of the country and it is able to store around 30bn cubic metres of gas.

Ukraine’s energy ministry and distributors said Ukraine had ramped up imports of electricity and halted exports after the recent Russian attacks in which the biggest energy producer, DTEK, lost 50% of its capacity . Russia attacked Ukrainian generating and transmission facilities on Friday, causing significant blackouts in many regions, and energy facilities in three Ukrainian regions were also attacked early on Sunday.

Volodymy Zelenskiy, in his nightly video address on Sunday, said more than 200,000 residents of Kharkiv, a frequent target of Russian attacks, were without reliable power . The network had been restored elsewhere, the Ukrainian president said. “Strict schedules” for power use were in force in Kharkiv, he said. DTEK said rolling blackouts had been imposed in the port of Odesa.

Serhiy Kovalenko, the head of distribution firm Yasno, said Russia had attacked two parts of the energy system – generation and distribution – hitting both thermal and hydropower plants . “The enemy hit hard at grid nodes and transformers,” he said. The energy ministry said Russia attempted on Sunday to destroy a critical energy infrastructure facility in the Lviv region in western Ukraine. Equipment caught fire and the facility lost power. Power lines in the Kyiv region were damaged and 1,400 households in two settlements lost power.

Russia on Sunday said air defences responded to 22 Vampire missiles launched by Ukraine at Russia’s Belgorod region .

  • Russia-Ukraine war at a glance

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Polish leader donald tusk warns of ‘prewar era,’ urges european nations to invest in defense.

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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged European nations to step up investment in their defense, saying the continent isn’t ready for the current “prewar era.” 

Tusk made the remarks during a recent interview with various European newspapers.

“I don’t want to scare anyone, but war is no longer a concept from the past,” he said before referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “It’s real and it started over two years ago.”

Russia has intensified airstrikes against its neighbor.

Recently, Russian missiles briefly breached Polish airspace during an attack on Ukraine.

That prompted Warsaw to put its forces on heightened readiness. 

Moscow has escalated its attacks in recent days, launching several missile barrages on the capital, Kyiv, and hitting energy infrastructure across the country in apparent retaliation for recent Ukrainian aerial attacks on the Russian border region of Belgorod.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged European nations to step up investment in their defense, saying the continent isn't ready for the current "prewar era."

On Friday, Italian news agency AGI reported that Italian fighter jets at a Polish military base in Malbork intercepted two Russian spy aircraft in the Baltic Sea.

The Russian aircraft were not authorized to be in NATO airspace, the report said. 

No one was harmed, and the Russian planes did not have “hostile intentions.”

conduct seize and defuse operation for explosive bomb in Mykolaiv, Ukraine on March 29, 2024.

Tusk called for urgent assistance for Ukraine to defend itself and urged more cooperation between Poland, Germany and France.

“We are living in the most critical moment since the end of the second world war,” he said.

“I know it sounds devastating, especially to people of the younger generation, but we have to mentally get used to the arrival of a new era. The prewar era.”

Tusk also called out Russian President Vladimir Putin for attempting to link the terrorist attack on Moscow’s Crocus City Hall to Ukraine without evidence.

“Evidently feels the need to justify increasingly violent attacks on civil targets in Ukraine,” Tusk said.

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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged European nations to step up investment in their defense, saying the continent isn't ready for the current "prewar era."

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    🤫 Secrets of Powerful Essay on World War 2. From diplomacy and espionage to battlefield events and the fate of nations, World War 2 essay topics are broad in range and require their writer to have an in-depth knowledge of various details. Thus, writing a World War 2 essay may seem daunting due to the weight of the necessary historical analysis.

  2. World War II Research Essay Topics

    Explore a wide variety of thesis topics concerning World War II, from culture to economy to warfare, and everything in between. ... The answer to questions like these can become a good starting point for a thesis statement. Culture and People . When the U.S. entered into war, everyday life across the country changed drastically. From civil ...

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    World War II Research Topics. The history of the creation of The Allies of WWII. Zygmunt Berling and his contribution to the anti-Nazi movement in Poland. Participation of the U.S. in World War II: ambivalent motives. The army of India during WWII: 2,5 million volunteers who fought for freedom.

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    WWI was a conflict between the Central Powers and the Allied Powers. The former included Germany, the Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria, and Austria-Hungary. Social Changes Caused by World War II. This essay examines the most common social changes stemming from World War II and the reasons behind their occurrence.

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    Embedded in these shared ideas about World War II are messages about national unity, pain and triumph, endurance, valor, service, and the role the United States played in defeating evil empires. Most Americans are comfortable with the lesson that World War II was a "good war," which Americans fought willingly against a group of dangerous ...

  10. The Good War? A Reappraisal of How World War II Affected ...

    flickering images, however, were carefully fashioned to present a certain view of the war. Simply put, that view held that World War II was "the. good war." This phrase served as the title of Studs Terkel's oral history of the. war, which became a best-seller in 1984 and won a Pulitzer Prize. Terkel.

  11. World War 2 Essay: Outline + 100 WW2 Research Topics

    Cover the Themes of Atrocity and War-Crimes in the World War 2 Essay. Acts of genocides and atrocity against civil population occurred in such countries as Japan, the Soviet Union, and Germany. Some of them were so horrific and immense that they changed the psyche of many people and different nations.

  12. Free World War 2 Essay Examples & Topic Ideas

    Free World War 2 Essay Examples & Topics. World War 2 is an international war from 1939 to 1945. The conflict involved the Axis alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan against the Allied powers of France, Great Britain, the USA, the USSR, and China. WW2 remains the most significant conflict in history, with estimated 40,000,000-50,000,000 deaths.

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  14. Revisiting WWII: My Senior Thesis

    My senior thesis, ""Americanos Todos": Redefining U.S. Latino and Latina Identity during the Second World War", investigates the wartime experiences of Latinos who served in both the homefront and battlefront during World War II. Despite posing significant contributions to the war, Latinos remain neglected in dominant narratives of WWII.

  15. World War II Guide: Bibliographical Essay

    Oral histories from the war years can be found in Studs Terkel, The Good War (1984). World War II had a dramatic impact on women's lives. The most visible change involved the appearance of large numbers of women in uniform, as more than 250,000 women joined the WACs, the Army Nurses Corps, the WAVES, and the Navy Nurses Corps. ...

  16. Why World War II wasn't all that good

    Harvard Staff Writer. January 25, 2022 long read. "When we think back to World War II, we say, 'Everybody was united, everybody was behind the war,' and certainly in comparison to subsequent wars, that's true. But that was not exactly the case," says Elizabeth D. Samet '91, author of "Looking for the Good War.". Photo by Hedy Samet.

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  18. World War II: [Essay Example], 1360 words GradesFixer

    World War Ii. World War II also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from September 1, 1939 to September 2, 1945. The war conflicts began earlier, it involved the vast majority of the world's countries. They formed two opposing military alliances, the Allies and the Axis. It was the most widespread war in history, and ...

  19. The Good War

    "The Good War": An Oral History of World War II (1984) is an oral history of World War II compiled by Studs Terkel.The work received the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction. "The Good War" consists of a series of interviews with various men and women from across the globe who directly experienced the events leading up to, including, and following the Second World War.

  20. Dissertations / Theses: 'World War II Memoir'

    This thesis excavates the stratifications of meaning within generational mediated memories of World War 11 in America, exposing both continuities and changes, in order to facilitate a deeper understanding of the configuration of the memory of the conflict in the media of the current generation.

  21. The Good War Introduction Summary & Analysis

    Introduction Summary. The Introduction explains Terkel's thesis and his purpose in compiling the interviews for the book. Despite World War II being "an event that changed the psyche as well as the face of the United States and the world" (3), Terkel finds that memory of the war is rapidly fading. Terkel recognizes that this is not a book ...

  22. Hooks for Writing an Essay about World War II

    Hooks for Writing an Essay about World War II. Essay writing seems to be a boring business practically to all students. It is important to mention that academic tasks may be devoted to some serious and terrible things like international military conflicts, for example. To create a good text, you should remember about the audience.

  23. Good World War 2 Thesis

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  24. In Jerusalem, Palestinian Christians observe scaled-down Good Friday

    The impact of the war was clear at the procession's final stations are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and laid to rest before his ...

  25. Pope writes meditations for Via Crucis at Colosseum, Vatican says

    Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger wrote the meditations for Good Friday 2005, less than a month before being elected Pope Benedict XVI. Throughout his pontificate, though, he entrusted the drafting to different people each year. ... The meditations in 2023 focused on the theme, "Voices of peace in a world at war." Several dicasteries of the Roman Curia ...

  26. Ukraine war briefing: two ships and base hit in Russian-occupied Crimea

    Outcry after Russian missile breaches Polish airspace; Ukraine grapples with attacks on gas and electricity networks. What we know on day 761

  27. Polish leader warns of 'prewar era,' urges European nations to

    Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged European nations to step up investment in their defense, saying the continent isn't ready for the current "prewar era."