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NSWModern History

Section IV (Peace and Conflict): Conflict in Europe 1935-1945

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How did the German advances of 1939 to 1941 transform the European war?

The course of the European war 1939 to 1941, including the invasion of Poland, the Phoney War, the German conquest of Western Europe in 1940, the Battle of Britain, and Operation Barbarossa of June 1941
A focused answer to the HSC Modern History Peace and Conflict dot point on the early course of the war. The Polish campaign, the Phoney War, the Norwegian campaign, the fall of France, Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, the Balkans campaign, and Operation Barbarossa, with the verdicts of Overy, Beevor, and Glantz on Blitzkrieg and its limits.
8 min answer →

How was Germany defeated between January 1944 and May 1945?

The defeat of Germany 1944 to 1945, including Operation Bagration, the D-Day landings, the liberation of Western Europe, the Soviet advance, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Battle of Berlin
A focused answer to the HSC Modern History Peace and Conflict dot point on the defeat of Germany. Operation Bagration, the D-Day landings, the Normandy campaign, the liberation of Paris, Operation Market Garden, the Battle of the Bulge, the Vistula-Oder offensive, the Battle of Berlin, and the German surrender, with the verdicts of Overy, Beevor, and Hastings.
8 min answer →

How did European tensions grow between 1935 and 1939 to make general war possible?

The growth of European tensions 1935 to 1939, including the failure of the League and collective security, the Italian invasion of Abyssinia, the Spanish Civil War, the policy of appeasement, the Nazi-Soviet Pact, and the invasion of Poland
A focused answer to the HSC Modern History Peace and Conflict dot point on the growth of European tensions. The failure of the League and collective security, the Abyssinian crisis, the Spanish Civil War, the Rhineland, the Anschluss, the Munich Agreement, the Pact of Steel, the Nazi-Soviet Pact, and the invasion of Poland, with the Taylor-Overy debate.
8 min answer →

How did the European war affect civilians between 1939 and 1945?

The impact of the war on civilians 1939 to 1945, including aerial bombing of cities, occupation policies and resistance, the Holocaust, displacement and forced labour, and the experience of women and children on the home front
A focused answer to the HSC Modern History Peace and Conflict dot point on the impact of war on civilians. The Blitz, Hamburg, Dresden, Soviet civilian losses, the Holocaust and the Einsatzgruppen, occupation and collaboration, forced labour, resistance movements, the British and German home fronts, and the experience of women and children, with the verdicts of Lowe, Friedlander, and Overy.
8 min answer →

Why did the Allies win the European war?

The reasons for Allied victory in Europe, including the economic, industrial, and demographic advantages of the Allies, the strategic decisions of the Grand Alliance, the role of intelligence and technology, and the contributions of the Soviet Union, the United States, and Britain
A focused answer to the HSC Modern History Peace and Conflict dot point on reasons for Allied victory. Production and economy, manpower, the Grand Alliance, intelligence (Ultra), technology, leadership, the Eastern Front, and the strategic-air contribution, with the verdicts of Overy, Tooze, and Kennedy.
7 min answer →

What were the major turning points of the European war in 1942 and 1943, and why did they shift the strategic balance?

The turning points of the European war 1942 to 1943, including El Alamein, Operation Torch, Stalingrad, Kursk, the Battle of the Atlantic, and the strategic bombing offensive
A focused answer to the HSC Modern History Peace and Conflict dot point on the turning points of the European war. El Alamein, Operation Torch, Stalingrad, Kursk, the Battle of the Atlantic, the Casablanca and Tehran conferences, and the strategic bombing offensive, with the verdicts of Overy, Beevor, Glantz, and Tooze.
8 min answer →