The Fall of the Third Reich Delegating Responsibility Angela Chung.

The Fall of the Third The Fall of the Third ReichReich

Delegating ResponsibilityDelegating Responsibility

Angela ChungAngela Chung

The European TheatreThe European Theatre Rise of Nazi Germany- Rise of Nazi Germany-

Anschluss, appeasement, Anschluss, appeasement, invasion of Poland – World invasion of Poland – World War IIWar II

Fall of France in June 1940Fall of France in June 1940

Germany seemed to have Germany seemed to have to upper hand; commonly to upper hand; commonly perceived that Britain perceived that Britain faced hopeless oddsfaced hopeless odds

In reality, Germany faced In reality, Germany faced a network of opponentsa network of opponents

The spread of Nazi The spread of Nazi GermanyGermany

Countries under Axis Countries under Axis influence at the peak influence at the peak of Nazi Germanyof Nazi Germany

The Tides ChangeThe Tides Change

Unsuccessful invasion of BritainUnsuccessful invasion of Britain

Deterioration of Germany’s relations with its alliesDeterioration of Germany’s relations with its allies

Catastrophic decision to postpone Operation Barbarossa Catastrophic decision to postpone Operation Barbarossa & disastrous attack on Russia& disastrous attack on Russia

D-Day landingsD-Day landings

Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge

Dissent within Nazi-occupied EuropeDissent within Nazi-occupied Europe

Invasion of Berlin Invasion of Berlin

Aerial view of destruction in Berlin.

Bombed-out buildings, May 1945, after the Battle of Berlin

Fall of the Third ReichFall of the Third Reich May 8, 1945, Victory May 8, 1945, Victory

in Europe declaredin Europe declared

Nazi regime endedNazi regime ended

In hindsight, In hindsight, historians have historians have asked, who was most asked, who was most responsible for the responsible for the collapse of seemingly collapse of seemingly infallible Third Reich?infallible Third Reich?

• Western Allies? Soviet Western Allies? Soviet Union? Resistance? Or Union? Resistance? Or Germany itself?Germany itself?

QuestionsQuestions

What was the state of Nazi Germany’s What was the state of Nazi Germany’s economical, military, social, and political economical, military, social, and political systems near the end of WWII?systems near the end of WWII?

What were the decisive battles of Europe in What were the decisive battles of Europe in World War II? World War II?

On how many fronts was Germany fighting?On how many fronts was Germany fighting?

What was the political dynamic within the What was the political dynamic within the Third Reich?Third Reich?

QuestionsQuestions How were German relations with its allies How were German relations with its allies

(Axis powers)? (Axis powers)?

How many countries did the Resistance How many countries did the Resistance movement span? movement span?

How has the Resistance movement affected How has the Resistance movement affected the structure of the Third Reich? the structure of the Third Reich?

Was it Allied supremacy, or German blunders Was it Allied supremacy, or German blunders that made the decisive battles against that made the decisive battles against Germany successful?Germany successful?

Thesis StatementThesis Statement

The Third Reich, because of its The Third Reich, because of its flawed flawed foreign policyforeign policy,, resistance within resistance within Nazi-occupied EuropeNazi-occupied Europe, , and dire and dire

tactical blunderstactical blunders, was most , was most responsible for its own defeat in World responsible for its own defeat in World

War Two.War Two.

Argument 1Argument 1

The forming The forming of unfavourable of unfavourable alliances and the alliances and the making of bad making of bad diplomatic diplomatic decisions crippled decisions crippled Nazi forces, and in Nazi forces, and in consequence, consequence, delayed crucial delayed crucial operations and operations and put Germany at a put Germany at a grave grave disadvantage.disadvantage.

Axis Alliance, 1939-1941Axis Alliance, 1939-1941

Map from the Map from the United States United States Holocaust MuseumHolocaust Museum

EvidenceEvidence

Alliance with MussoliniAlliance with Mussolini

ill-advised diplomatic decisions

““[The ‘Pact of Steel’] was a declaration of friendship and [The ‘Pact of Steel’] was a declaration of friendship and alliance- it committed Germany and Italy to a military alliance alliance- it committed Germany and Italy to a military alliance that formed what was known as the Axis powers… When that formed what was known as the Axis powers… When Germany went to war much sooner than expected, Italy was Germany went to war much sooner than expected, Italy was unprepared, and did not fulfil her commitments under the unprepared, and did not fulfil her commitments under the treaty.”treaty.”

““[Mussolini] decided to show Hitler that Italy could do just as [Mussolini] decided to show Hitler that Italy could do just as well on its own, and on October 28, 1940, Italian troops set well on its own, and on October 28, 1940, Italian troops set about invading Greece. Mussolini, however, had underestimated about invading Greece. Mussolini, however, had underestimated his opponents, and with Allied help the Greeks pushed his his opponents, and with Allied help the Greeks pushed his troops back.”troops back.”

““The failed Italian attempt to invade Greece had left Hitler with The failed Italian attempt to invade Greece had left Hitler with little option but to step in and recover the situation.”little option but to step in and recover the situation.”

EvidenceEvidence

Alliance with Japan and Germany’s Alliance with Japan and Germany’s declaration of war on Americadeclaration of war on America


““[Hitler’s] primary goal was still to persuade Japan to attack Britain [Hitler’s] primary goal was still to persuade Japan to attack Britain in East Asia and thus indirectly to deter America from intervention in East Asia and thus indirectly to deter America from intervention in Europe.”in Europe.”

““Indeed it does not seem easy to say why, when the German Indeed it does not seem easy to say why, when the German campaign against the Soviet Union was stuck in the snow in front of campaign against the Soviet Union was stuck in the snow in front of Moscow and when Britain was still undefeated, Germany should Moscow and when Britain was still undefeated, Germany should take on as an additional enemy the very power to whom it had take on as an additional enemy the very power to whom it had succumbed in World War I.”succumbed in World War I.”

RebuttalsRebuttals

Italy seemed to be a feasible ally at the Italy seemed to be a feasible ally at the timetime

The Alliance with Japan was not an ill-The Alliance with Japan was not an ill-advised decision because Germany advised decision because Germany needed Japan to distract the Soviets and needed Japan to distract the Soviets and the United States from the European the United States from the European theatretheatre

America would have declared war on America would have declared war on Germany anyways because of the Alliance Germany anyways because of the Alliance with Britainwith Britain



Often overlooked in history, the Often overlooked in history, the Resistance movement against the Nazi Resistance movement against the Nazi regime played a critical role in bringing regime played a critical role in bringing down the Third Reich through its down the Third Reich through its underground movement, network of spies, underground movement, network of spies, attempted coups and assassinations, and attempted coups and assassinations, and vocal opposition throughout World War vocal opposition throughout World War Two. This resistance within Nazi-occupied Two. This resistance within Nazi-occupied Europe crippled Germany, making it more Europe crippled Germany, making it more vulnerable to Allied attack. vulnerable to Allied attack.

EvidenceEvidence

SabotageSabotage

resistance within Nazi-occupied Europe

““Yugoslav partisans waged a continuous guerrilla campaign Yugoslav partisans waged a continuous guerrilla campaign against the Nazi occupation of their country from 1940 through to against the Nazi occupation of their country from 1940 through to the end of the war…”the end of the war…”

““Before the D-day landings of Allied troops in June 1944, the Before the D-day landings of Allied troops in June 1944, the French resistance had become an effective army operating inside French resistance had become an effective army operating inside France. Under the leadership of General Koenig, the French Forces France. Under the leadership of General Koenig, the French Forces of the Interior (FFI) sabotaged bridges, communications, transport, of the Interior (FFI) sabotaged bridges, communications, transport, and power stations.”and power stations.”

““On D-Day, the [Resistance] in the Calvados region blew up eight On D-Day, the [Resistance] in the Calvados region blew up eight bridges, destroyed over 100 vehicles, and cut innumerable railway bridges, destroyed over 100 vehicles, and cut innumerable railway lines… They also cut the trunk telephone link from Caen to lines… They also cut the trunk telephone link from Caen to Smolensk and the cables connecting the headquarters of the Smolensk and the cables connecting the headquarters of the LXXXIV Corps in St. Lô with the 91st Division in Valognes as well as LXXXIV Corps in St. Lô with the 91st Division in Valognes as well as the St. Lô-Jersey link and Cherbourg-Brest connections.”the St. Lô-Jersey link and Cherbourg-Brest connections.”

French Resistance sabotaging railroad

EvidenceEvidence

SpyingSpying


““The ideal spy had The ideal spy had perhaps just been perhaps just been unearthed in Berlin: No unearthed in Berlin: No one could be more one could be more useful than a well-useful than a well-informed German informed German official, close to the official, close to the centre of power and centre of power and decision making, and decision making, and inclined to transmit his inclined to transmit his knowledge on a regular knowledge on a regular basis… a German agent basis… a German agent working at the German working at the German Foreign Ministry.”Foreign Ministry.”

Fritz Kolbe, Fritz Kolbe, German German diplomat & diplomat & American American spyspy

Gave America details of:Gave America details of:

German expectations on site of D-Day German expectations on site of D-Day landingslandings

V-1 & V-2 rocket programsV-1 & V-2 rocket programs the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighterthe Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter Japanese plans in Southeast AsiaJapanese plans in Southeast Asia Exposure of German spy (Elyesa Bazna) Exposure of German spy (Elyesa Bazna)

working in a British embassyworking in a British embassy

EvidenceEvidence

Attemped coups/assassinationsAttemped coups/assassinations


Famous July 20, 1944 attempt by Famous July 20, 1944 attempt by Colonel Colonel Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg:Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg:

• ““Inside the briefcase, he had brought a bomb to Inside the briefcase, he had brought a bomb to the situation barrack where the dictator was the situation barrack where the dictator was studying maps with his generals and negotiating studying maps with his generals and negotiating about the situation on the Eastern Front… Five about the situation on the Eastern Front… Five people in the same room were killed instantly… people in the same room were killed instantly… The table, under which the briefcase containing The table, under which the briefcase containing the bomb had been placed, blew up into pieces. the bomb had been placed, blew up into pieces. But that very table saved the life of Hitler… on But that very table saved the life of Hitler… on 20th July, 1944, Colonel Claus Schenk Graf von 20th July, 1944, Colonel Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg was very close to change the final Stauffenberg was very close to change the final outcome of the World War II.”outcome of the World War II.”

Many other close callsMany other close calls victory parade in victory parade in Paris in July, 1940; parade down the Champs-Paris in July, 1940; parade down the Champs-ElysElyséées; aircraft bomb, suicidal bombing es; aircraft bomb, suicidal bombing attempt at a museumattempt at a museum

Stauffenberg

Hitler showing Mussolini the aftermath of the bomb explosion in the conference room.


Nazi Germany, Nazi Germany, led by Hitler, made led by Hitler, made a large number of a large number of tactical mistakes tactical mistakes and misguided and misguided military decisions military decisions that allowed the that allowed the Allies to gain the Allies to gain the upper hand, upper hand, ultimately costing ultimately costing Germany the war.Germany the war.

Hitler in process of Hitler in process of planningplanning

EvidenceEvidence Yugoslavia (Yugoslavia (In reaction to the Serbian revolt In reaction to the Serbian revolt

against Prince Paul of Yugoslavia & the signing of against Prince Paul of Yugoslavia & the signing of the Tripartite Pact)the Tripartite Pact)

• ““Hitler was furious and raged that Yugoslavia ‘must be Hitler was furious and raged that Yugoslavia ‘must be regarded as an enemy and beaten down as soon as regarded as an enemy and beaten down as soon as possible.’ He postponed Operation ‘Barbarossa’ – the possible.’ He postponed Operation ‘Barbarossa’ – the invasion of Russia – and went to war with both Greece invasion of Russia – and went to war with both Greece and Yugoslavia.”and Yugoslavia.”

• ““Outcome: Greece and Yugoslavia fell to the Axis; the Outcome: Greece and Yugoslavia fell to the Axis; the German invasion of Russia was delayed, with serious German invasion of Russia was delayed, with serious consequences.”consequences.”

• Acting out of sheer spite and anger, decided to postpone Acting out of sheer spite and anger, decided to postpone the Russian invasion to concentrate on destroying the Russian invasion to concentrate on destroying Yugoslavia for revenge – disastrous decision; delay = Yugoslavia for revenge – disastrous decision; delay = Russian wintersRussian winters

dire tactical blunders

EvidenceEvidence RussiaRussia

• ““The original timetable called for the launching of the The original timetable called for the launching of the campaign in May [1941]… But the campaign did not campaign in May [1941]… But the campaign did not begin until late June… they gambled with the weather, begin until late June… they gambled with the weather, which in the late autumn was favourable, just as it was which in the late autumn was favourable, just as it was to Napoleon in 1812, and kept saying, “We can risk it.” to Napoleon in 1812, and kept saying, “We can risk it.” Then came the bitter weather… Clothing was prepared Then came the bitter weather… Clothing was prepared for a hard German winter, but it was inadequate for a for a hard German winter, but it was inadequate for a severe Russian winter. The transport failed because severe Russian winter. The transport failed because German locomotives were not equipped for extremely German locomotives were not equipped for extremely low temperatures.”low temperatures.” - Heusinger - Heusinger

• Stalingrad Stalingrad Even against hopeless odds, Hitler refused Even against hopeless odds, Hitler refused to withdraw his Sixth Army & chose instead to resupply to withdraw his Sixth Army & chose instead to resupply them with the Luftwaffe them with the Luftwaffe diverted Luftwaffe from battle diverted Luftwaffe from battle to resupply a useless cause; his refusal to retreat to resupply a useless cause; his refusal to retreat doomed Sixth Armydoomed Sixth Army

dire tactical blunders

Counter-ArgumentsCounter-Arguments

1.1. The Allies were overwhelmingly superior The Allies were overwhelmingly superior to the Axis powers in supplies and to the Axis powers in supplies and armament.armament.

2.2. The Allies won the war due to the The Allies won the war due to the efficiency of their Intelligence unit at efficiency of their Intelligence unit at cracking codes.cracking codes.

3.3. The Allies won through sheer superiority The Allies won through sheer superiority of their air force over the Luftwaffe.of their air force over the Luftwaffe.

Works CitedWorks CitedCollotti, Enzo. Collotti, Enzo. Hitler and NazismHitler and Nazism..

New York: Interlink Publishing Group, 1999.New York: Interlink Publishing Group, 1999.

Delattre, Lucas. Delattre, Lucas. A Spy at the Heart of the Third ReichA Spy at the Heart of the Third Reich. . Paris: Éditions Denoël, 2005.Paris: Éditions Denoël, 2005.

Fowler, Will. Fowler, Will. D-Day: The Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944D-Day: The Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944. . United Kingdom: Amber Books Ltd., 2006.United Kingdom: Amber Books Ltd., 2006.

Galante, Pierre. Galante, Pierre. Operation Valkyrie: The German Generals’ Plot Against HitlerOperation Valkyrie: The German Generals’ Plot Against Hitler. . New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1981.New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1981.

Hook, Alex. Hook, Alex. Defining Moments: World War IIDefining Moments: World War II. . United Kingdom: Grange Books, 2005.United Kingdom: Grange Books, 2005.

Jäckel, Eberhard. Jäckel, Eberhard. Hitler in History.Hitler in History.London: University Press of New England, 1984.London: University Press of New England, 1984.

““Resistance Movement”. Resistance Movement”. Hutchinson EncyclopediaHutchinson Encyclopedia. 2004. Oct. 4 2007. . 2004. Oct. 4 2007. http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/resistance+movementhttp://encyclopedia.farlex.com/resistance+movement

Rich, Norman. Rich, Norman. Hitler’s War Aims: Ideology, the Nazi State, and the Course of ExpansionHitler’s War Aims: Ideology, the Nazi State, and the Course of Expansion..New York: W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 1992.New York: W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 1992.

Shirer, William L. Shirer, William L. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi GermanyThe Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany. . London: Bison Books Ltd., 1994.London: Bison Books Ltd., 1994.

Von Plehwe, Friedrich-Karl. Von Plehwe, Friedrich-Karl. The End of an Alliance: Rome’s Defection from the Axis in 1943The End of an Alliance: Rome’s Defection from the Axis in 1943..London: Oxford University Press, 1971.London: Oxford University Press, 1971.

The Fall of the Third Reich Delegating Responsibility Angela Chung.

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