The Second World War: Unparalleled Levels of Inhumanity
Summary
The Second World War was the most catastrophic war in European history with over 40 million death toll in Europe alone. It was marked by unprecedented inhumanity, driven by hatred and a desire to eradicate enemies, which led to the collapse of basic humanitarian standards. Ideology also played a huge role, with the National Socialist leadership aiming at colonial-style conquest and racial cleansing, leading to all-out genocide, particularly against Jews.
Table of Contents
- The Horrific Scale of the Second World War
- German Aggression and Soviet Expansion
- The Invasion of the Soviet Union and the Failure of Ambitious Objectives
- The Turning Point in the War
- Unparalleled Levels of Inhumanity
- The Final Phase of the War
Q&A
Q: What was the death toll of the Second World War in Europe?
A: The death toll of the Second World War in Europe was over 40 million, with the Soviet Union suffering the most with over 25 million deaths.
Q: What was the key objective of Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union?
A: The key objective of Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union, known as “Operation Barbarossa,” was to quickly gain victory and “living space” for Germany, as well as providing a “final solution to the Jewish question.”
Q: Why was the German invasion of the Soviet Union considered a failure?
A: By the end of summer, it became clear that Germany had grossly underestimated Soviet military capacity and was unable to achieve its ambitious objectives before winter. By December 1941, Germany was facing a long and bitter war with the Soviet Union, while also becoming engaged in a global conflict with the United States after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor.
Q: When did the Allied slow struggle northwards begin?
A: The Allied slow struggle northwards began by January 1943, when the Allied leaders agreed that victory would only follow the unconditional surrender of the Axis powers.
Q: What was the key factor in the final phase of the war in Europe?
A: The key factor in the final phase of the war in Europe was the successful Allied landing in Normandy, followed by the breakdown of the Red Army in Operation Bagration.
The Horrific Scale of the Second World War
The Second World War was marked by unparalleled levels of inhumanity in Europe. The death toll exceeded 40 million, with millions of people displaced and millions more losing their livelihoods. This was four times higher than in the First World War and was primarily driven by hatred and a desire to eradicate enemies. The result was the collapse of basic humanitarian standards, with ideology playing a significant role. The National Socialist leadership aimed at colonial-style conquest and racial cleansing, leading to all-out genocide, particularly against Jews. The terror inflicted on the civilian population in Poland and during the Eastern front reflected this ideology. Ideology went hand in hand with economic imperatives, exemplified by the elimination of racial degenerates to achieve economic savings, and the productive ghettos established in Poland. Auschwitz, the biggest concentration camp, combined extermination with industrial profit.
German Aggression and Soviet Expansion
The Second World War spread across Europe in different phases, with some countries remaining neutral, while others were enveloped in the fighting. It followed the path of German aggression and Soviet expansion, aimed at extending Soviet power. The first phase saw the fall of Poland, Scandinavia, western Europe, the Balkans, and northern Africa. It was a catalogue of German triumphs, with France capitulating after five weeks, but Britain remaining unconquered. The logistics of invasion were too difficult, and bombing was not enough to bring Britain to its knees. By the spring of 1941, Germany dominated from Norway to Crete, while Italy struggled with embarrassing military weaknesses in Greece and North Africa. Hitler believed that defeating the Soviet Union was the key to defeating Britain.
The Invasion of the Soviet Union and the Failure of Ambitious Objectives
The German invasion of the Soviet Union, known as “Operation Barbarossa,” began on June 22, 1941, without any declaration of war. The invasion included three prongs aimed at quickly gaining victory and “living space” for Germany, as well as providing a “final solution to the Jewish question.” However, by the end of summer, it became clear that Germany had grossly underestimated Soviet military capacity and was unable to achieve its ambitious objectives before winter. By December 1941, Germany was facing a long and bitter war with the Soviet Union, while also becoming engaged in a global conflict with the United States after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. Hitler’s hopes of a strategic opportunity by engaging the Americans in the Pacific and winning the war at sea with U-boats were increasingly unrealistic.
The Turning Point in the War
The fortunes of war had turned during 1942, and the Allies were confident of ultimate victory. By January 1943, the Allied leaders agreed that victory would only follow the unconditional surrender of the Axis powers. The Allies’ slow struggle northwards had begun, along with a bombing campaign against German cities and industrial installations that gathered destructive momentum and eventually became practically complete Allied air superiority in the war’s last year. While German resilience prevented a total collapse, the gulf between German and Allied resources was widening inexorably. The Soviet taking of Kiev in November was a sign that the tables had been turned, and the writing was on the wall for Germany.
Unparalleled Levels of Inhumanity
The Second World War was the most horrific war in European history, marked by unparalleled levels of inhumanity. The war was driven by hatred and a desire to eradicate enemies, which led to the collapse of basic humanitarian standards. Ideology played a key role, particularly in the Eastern front where cruelty and callousness were rife. The National Socialist leadership aimed at colonial-style conquest and racial cleansing, leading to all-out genocide, particularly against Jews. The terror inflicted on the civilian population in Poland and during the Eastern war reflected this ideology. Ideology went hand in hand with economic imperatives, exemplified by the elimination of racial degenerates to achieve economic savings, and the profitable ghettos established in Poland. Auschwitz was the biggest concentration camp, combining extermination with industrial profit. Securing food for the German population was crucial, even if it meant between 20 and 30 million Slavs and Jews would die of starvation from German occupation of the Soviet Union.
The Final Phase of the War
The successful Allied landing in Normandy, followed by the breakdown of the Red Army in Operation Bagration, opened the third and final phase of the war in Europe. It was the bloodiest phase, a quarter of all European dead of the war accounted for, primarily in the last eleven months of the conflict, as a result of Allied air raids that laid waste to German cities and the suicide of Hitler. The war had drawn to a close but had left uncountable innocent people dead while hatred, memories of lost ones and regret lingered on.
