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SingaporeHistoryQuick questions
World War Two in Europe and the Asia-Pacific
Quick questions on German victories and the war in Europe explained: O-Level History
6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is blitzkrieg?Show answer
Germany's early victories were built on a new way of fighting called Blitzkrieg, meaning "lightning war". Instead of the slow trench warfare of the First World War, Blitzkrieg used speed, surprise and concentrated force. Fast-moving tanks, supported by motorised infantry and aircraft (especially dive-bombers), would punch through the enemy line at a chosen point, then race deep into enemy territory, cutting off and surrounding the defenders before they could organise. Aircraft attacked roads, railways and troops to spread panic.
What is the Battle of Britain, 1940?Show answer
Britain, now standing largely alone under Winston Churchill, refused to make peace. To invade Britain, Germany first needed to defeat the Royal Air Force and control the skies. In the summer and autumn of 1940 the German air force (the Luftwaffe) and the RAF fought the Battle of Britain in the air over southern England. The RAF, helped by radar, skilled pilots and fighter aircraft such as the Spitfire, inflicted heavy losses on the Germans and was not defeated.
What is the invasion of the Soviet Union, 1941?Show answer
In June 1941 Hitler made his most fateful decision: he invaded the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa), breaking the Nazi-Soviet Pact. This was driven by his long-held aims of gaining "living space" in the east and destroying communism. At first the invasion went well, with huge German advances and vast numbers of Soviet prisoners taken. But the Soviet Union was enormous, with huge reserves of manpower and resources, and it did not collapse.
What is q1?Show answer
What does the word "Blitzkrieg" mean? [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain why France fell so quickly to Germany in 1940. [5 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
"Germany's early victories were due mainly to its Blitzkrieg tactics." How far do you agree? [8 marks]
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