History Educate

Nazi Germany had one of the strongest military forces in the world at the start of World War 2. Additionally, the emotions of the German people were high for the supremacy of the German race and to take revenge for the defeat of World War 1. In just two years, Germany was in control of Europe except Britain and the Soviet Union. But the tides were turned later and the war ended with a decisive German defeat. Top Reasons for German Defeat in WW2 There were several factors behind the defeat of Germany in the situation when it seemed to emerge victorious. The important reasons behind the German defeat are listed below: Failure of Operation Barbarossa The most important reason for the German defeat in World War 2 was the failed German invasion of the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa). Before this invasion, Germany had the upper hand in the war. Almost the whole of Western Europe (except Great Britain) was either under the control of Germany or neutral. Germany tried to use this a...

World War 1 was the first major campaign of the 20 th Century and proved to be the prelude to the most destructive war, World War 2. The war was fought between coalitions of Central Powers and Allied Powers. Germany led the Central Powers, and it was one of the most powerful Empires of that time. The German Empire was eager to start that war despite efforts by other major powers to find a peaceful solution to the crisis that originated after the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s heir, Franz Ferdinand. Germany’s impatience was due to its massive land and naval power. Germany desired to increase the area and influence of its empire by annexing other countries through its military might. However after initial gains, Germany and the Central Powers started to lose the war, and the initiative was completely lost by 1917. Top Reasons for German Defeat in WW1 There are several reasons behind the defeat of Germany in World War 1 despite having a strong military. The main rea...

At the beginning of 1941, Nazi Germany had almost achieved its ambitions of World War 2 regarding Western Europe. All the nations (except Britain) were either under its control or chose to remain neutral. At that time, Hitler decided to conquer the Soviet Union to punish Russians for adopting communism. Operation Barbarossa Significance Hitler initially had a pact with the USSR at the start of World War 2 to avoid war on two fronts. However, there wasn’t any requirement to continue this pact due to favorable conditions for Germans on the battlefield. Therefore, Germany launched Operation Barbarossa in June 1941 to annex the entire area of Eastern Europe. Hitler planned to annihilate the Slavs and inhabit their areas with Germans after occupation. He received assistance from his allies in this campaign, including Romania, Italy, Hungary, Finland, and others. The initial phase of the operation proceeded according to plan. After inflicting heavy losses on the enemy, the Germans ca...

The Brusilov Offensive was a major Russian offensive against the Central powers in today’s Ukraine. It is named after Russian general Aleksey Brusilov who was the mastermind behind this successful attack. This offensive relieved the besieged French forces on the Western Front. It is known as the largest Russian operation during WW1 and one of the most lethal offensives in world history. Background In February 1916, Germany besieged the French city of Verdun. It was a difficult time for France and the country requested its allies, Russia and Britain, to open new fronts to disengage Germany from Verdun. Russia initially responded with an offensive at Lake Narocz that failed miserably. After this failed offensive, Russians planned another operation from the north. During preparations for this offensive, General Aleksey Brusilov (commander of the Russian Southwestern Army) presented his plan to invade Austria-Hungary from the southwest, which would assist the main operation from th...

The USSR invaded Afghanistan in December 1979 to assist the newly formed communist regime. At the time, the Soviet Union was already controlling the neighboring countries of Afghanistan in Central Asia, which made it easier for them to bring their soldiers directly to Afghanistan. Soviet-Afghan War Summary Soon after the invasion, the USSR faced stiff resistance from local freedom fighters, commonly known as Mujahideen, who received diplomatic and military assistance from a majority of Muslim and Western countries. Millions of Afghan civilians took refuge in neighboring countries. The resistance continued with its full force despite all types of cruelty and other possible measures taken by the USSR and its puppet regime in Afghanistan for ten years. The Soviet Union realized in 1986 that they would not achieve military victory in Afghanistan. At that time, they started negotiations with the US and other concerned parties, especially Pakistan. It resulted in severe military and ec...

Adolf Hitler is one of the most well-known figures of the 20 th Century thanks to his role in initiating and developing World War 2. He was directly behind the assassination of millions of Jews, Slavs, and other civilians during the war. A lot has been written about the personal and political life of this infamous personality. However, several aspects of his life are  still unknown to people. Following are a few of the most interesting and unbelievable facts about Adolf Hitler’s life. Not a German by Birth Hitler was the most aggressive proponent of German nationalism. However, he wasn’t German by birth. He was born in Austria during the last decade of the 20 th Century. He moved to Germany in the early 1920s and renounced his Austrian citizenship in 1925. During his stay in Germany, he legally remained nation-less for seven years. He was given citizenship in Germany in 1932. Long Mo ustaches Hitler is commonly known for having unique toothbrush mustaches. But ...

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a socialist state that lasted from 1922 to 1991. Vast areas of Eastern and Central Asia and Eastern Europe were part of the Soviet Union, with its capital in the Russian city of Moscow. The Soviet Union played a vital role in the defeat of Germany in World War 2.  After the war, it became a superpower along with the USA. USSR emerged after the fall of the Russian Empire and the victory of the Red Army against the White Army. As the leader of Communism, USSR greatly influenced several parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. The main reasons behind the rise of the Soviet Union are listed below. Economic Conditions of the Russian Empire At the start of the 20 th Century, the Russian economy was deteriorating due to severe economic and political instability that gave rise to social unrest. The  communists took advantage of this situation and promised equal rights to people ...

The Soviet Union was a world power after its establishment in 1922 and became a superpower after World War 2 in 1945. After World War 2, the Soviet Union established a communist bloc that remained hostile to the US-led bloc. Both USA and USSR continuously clashed indirectly between 1945 and 1990. During this period, these superpowers avoided a full-fledged war but opposed each other in various conflicts through their proxies. The whole era is known for the ‘Cold War’ between the two superpowers. This situation ended in 1992 with the collapse of the USSR, after which the USA emerged as the sole superpower. The main reasons behind the collapse of the USSR are the following. Long-standing Cold War Against USA After World War 2 in 1945, the Soviet Union captured the whole of Eastern Europe and parts of Central Europe, while its influence spread to several areas of Asia, Africa, and South America. The USA and its allies formed Western Bloc to counter this situation. This global di...

In 1992, USSR collapsed after the fall of the communist regime and the independence of several states from Asian and European parts of the USSR. The Soviet Union was a superpower before its dissolution. It is the reason that this collapse not only changed the political and economic condition in the areas directly related to USSR, but it impacted heavily on a global scale also. The following are notable long and short-term effects that appeared after the collapse of the Soviet Union.  End of the Cold War Soon after the end of World War 2 in 1945, USA and USSR emerged as two superpowers leading two opposite economic systems, capitalism and communism. Both countries tried to spread their respective economic system and influence in other parts of the world, resulting in hostility between the two superpowers. But both these superpowers had dangerous and lethal weapons (including nuclear weapons), and their direct conflict could have destroyed the whole world. Therefore, bot...