Key World War II Turning Points

Some historians argue that the Axis Powers

were very close to world domination. But
costly decisions to stop the blitz on London,
the decision to attack the Soviet Union, and
the decision to bomb the United States
shattered that dream. In fact, within only one
year, the war began to quickly turn in favor of
the Allies. The Allies, with the Soviet Union,
China, and United States, joining with Britain,
had additional supplies, resources, food,
equipment, weapons, and people. The Soviet
Union, the U.S. and China were also one of the largest populated countries in the world.
Furthermore, the U.S. and Soviet Union had plenty of resources to use, since they were
not involved in the conflict with Hitler for years, like the British had. Large populations
also led to larger, refreshed armies.
1) According to the article, what caused the turning point of World War II? How
did this event change the war?
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During 1942 and 1943, the Allies won several key victories that would turn the tide of
battle and push back the Axis Powers. The first of these turning points took place in
Africa. Using soldiers from their colonies and possessions of Egypt, Libya, and India, the

British were finally able to stop and pushback the German advancement in Africa.
Eventually, U.S. army under General Dwight Eisenhower would join the British army
in Africa, and push the Germans and Italians out of Africa. By 1943, Egypt, Ethiopia,
Morocco, Algeria, and Libya were completely freed. These African nations joined the
fight with the Allies, as Africans hoped fighting with the Allies would grant them
independence from European rule. By retaking Africa, the Allies marched north, and set
up a naval base in the northern tip of Africa. Within three months, they sailed across the
Mediterranean Sea, and landed on the island of Sicily. In Sicily, members of the
Sicilian mob supported the British and Americans, and the Allies defeated the Italian
forces there within a month. Italy was on the verge of being taken over by the Allies.
Thus, Hitler had to send troops to hold down Italy.
Another major turning point in the war
occurred in the Soviet Union. Hitler believed
he could take over the Soviet Union if he
attacked in March. In late 1941, Germans
were unable to take the city of Leningrad.
German soldiers were freezing to death,
hungry, not dressed properly, not supplied
well, and communication between German
generals and Hitler had failed. In 1942, Hitler
attempted to take Stalins hometown of
Stalingrad. The battle of Stalingrad began
when the Germans surrounded the city. The
Soviets then encircled (surrounded) their
attackers. Stalingrad became one of Hitlers
costliest battles. In the end, the Germans were defeated, in part due to the Soviet army, as
well as because of the Russian climate. Stalin now decided to counter attack the
Germans. The Germans began retreating. Over 400,000 Germans died in this battle, while
340,000 Soviets died. The Soviets began to push the Germans back westwards.
2) Why is the Battle of Stalingrad considered to be a turning point in World War
II? What happened in the battle, and what was the outcome of the battle?
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While Hitler was fighting the Soviets
in the east, and the Americans in Italy,
he had to open up a third battlefront
in France. In 1944, the British and
Americans opened up a Western
Front, so Hitler now had to split his
army, supplies, money, and resources
amongst three fronts. Under general
Dwight Eisenhower of the U.S.
forces, the U.S. launched airplanes,
which dropped bombs on German
airplane factories, to slow them down
in making more planes. On June 6,
1944, the Allies launched Operation
D-Day, which was to retake France. At
midnight, over 200,00 paratroopers
(troops using parachutes from planes) dropped from planes behind enemy lines. At
sunrise, 200,000 warships, carrying over 700,000 Allied soldiers entered a beach called
Normandy. Allied troops from the ships attacked from the north from their ships, while
the paratroopers launched an attack from the south. The Germans and Allies fought
bravely against each other. But the Germans could not fight the Allies from both
directions in France. Eventually, the Allies reached Paris, and the Germans retreated.
France was officially free again. France rejoined the Allies in the war, and the Germans
were forced to retreat back eastwards. D-Day was the largest battle operation ever in
history.
Part 2 Answer the following questions by choosing the best answer choice.
1) During World War II, the Allied invasion of France on D-Day (June 6, 1944) was
significant because it
A) demonstrated the power of the atomic bomb
B) resulted in a successful German revolt against Hitler and the Nazi Party
C) led to the immediate surrender of German and Italian forces
D) forced Germans to fight a two-front war

2) Which geographic factor played the greatest role in preventing Russia from being
conquered by both Napoleon and Adolf Hitler?
A) Deserts
B) Rivers
C) Climate
D) Mountains

Part 3 Answer the following question. Be sure to answer the question in complete
sentences, with a MINIMUM OF EIGHT SENTENCES, with CLEAR evidence, facts,
examples, details, ANALYSIS and answer the question WHY.
Were Hitler and the Axis Powers to blame for the war turning in favor of the Allies?
Why or why not? Provide examples on HOW the war changed for the Axis Powers
and WHY Axis leaders are to blame.
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Part 4 Extra Credit. Only complete if parts 1-3 are finished ENTIRELY.
1) How did the war change in Africa in 1943? Be specific and describe the various
events.

2) What was the plan to take back France called? Who led the Allied forces? What was
the plan? What was the result of the plan?
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