What do you think was the turning point in the second world war?

Answer 1

This key question has been correctly answered. Most history textbooks agree that Stalingrad in Europe, 1943, and Midway in the Pacific, 1942 were the military turning points in World War II. It also follows that Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union totally changed the war's nature. What I will do is to discuss this further, and add some factors.

Germany allied with the Soviet Union, 1939-1941 were extremely formidable and difficult to defeat, including for the United States, no matter how later effectively mobilized. Great Britan during these years had difficulty surviving. Had Hitler not turned against Stalin, Europe with Germany and the Soviets as the clear leading powers, would have towered over Europe. The United States, which had the l6th largest army in the world at World War II's start, would have been hard pressed to challenge or weaken this powerful unholy alliance. It would have been like a Cold War, in which the rest of countries, including America, would have been weaker. At the time this alliance made the world tremble.

There still are some other events that can be seen as part of second world war's turning points. If Germany had not declared war on the United States after the Japanese pre-emptive attack of December 1941 it would have made it difficult for the United States to have gone to war against the Nazis. Hitler had made an alliance with Japan to come to their DEFENSE, if they were attacked. Therefore, if he had not gone to war with us, a strong argument would have been made that our purpose was to avenge Pearl Harbor, and the let the Europeans fight among themselves. Without direct U.S. intervention, Europe would have turned out a little differently. Hitler'a actions here defy logic. They also did in another major instance. France totally collasped in 1940. The British Army was then surrounded at Dunkirk by the Nazis. Again, Hitler, inexplicably halted the German attack, and let most of the British troops escape. Had the British Army been destroyed then, it would have made Allied survival difficult, and the victory much later achieved, at the very least.

Two other important factors deserve consideration. One was that the Allies had "Magic," the code which allowed us to know in advance much of the Axis military operations. This was essential at Midway. Without knowing in advance where the main Japanese attack was, Midway could have not been the totally decisive victory that it was. Second, a little less vital, but still important was the break in the weather for the D-Day invasion. Several exact weather and geographical conditions had to be precisely in place. If the weather had not broken, then the disorganized and costly Allied attack could not haven broken through in 1944, and would have been delayed a number of years. This would have created the a chance that Germany, not so weakened on the West, could have defeated the Soviets. It would not have been likely, but possible.

Answer 2

The turning point of the war in Europe was the end of the Battle of Stalingrad. Hitler's armies were either decimated or they were captured or they were worn and tired. Hitler's eastern Armies were pretty much useless. Another turning point was the D-Day invasison when the Allies punched into the Continent. Had D-day not happened, the Allies would have to go up through southern France which would have been much harder, as there were no bases for the Allies to train/set up invasion craft. Italy would have been easier, as many Italians were against Fascism and were ready to fight against the Invader. The Allies could either sweep in through Austria, cross Switzerland, or go through Savoie. The Turning point in the Pacific theatre was the launch of the island hopping campaign. The Allies, by using a successful island hopping campaign (meaning that they were traveling and capturing islands in their way,) thanks to this the Allies came within a 100 miles of Japanese territory, but the A-bomb ended the war

Answer 3

The Maltese cruelling the shipping lines in the Meditteranean (suicide alley) that fed Rommel in Africa. (Malta was the most bombed country on earth during WWll). The Germans going into Russia in the winter. The Resistance movements from all over Europe feeding the Allies with vital information at great cost. Hitler slowly being eaten away by syphilis. Winston Churchill and the ANZACs. VALOUR - the fight for freedom never stops - the fight to subdue that freedom lives forever.....But remember the Germans had given in already & then there were the Japanese - & let's face it bombing a couple of million people stops any war!!!!

Answer 4

In the Pacific, Coral Sea and Midway, In Europe D Day,
In Russia, Stalingrad and Kursk, In Afraca, El Alemein, In England, The Battle of Britian - But in one could argue the moment Hitler invaded Russia, the war was lost for Germany. One could argue the same for Japan when the attack on Pearl Harbor happened.

Answer 5

The Battle of Stalingrad, February 1-3, 1943.

Answer 6

I think the turning point in the second world war was the bombing of Pearl Harbour by the Japanese. It antagonised the Americans so much that they decided to join the allies and subsequently bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki with nuclear bombs after that. God bless us all!

Answer 7

Battle of Stalingrad (1943 Eastern Front), and Battle of Midway (1942- Asiatic-Pacific Theater).

Answer 8

Germans invading Russia. The Russian winters eventually took their toll. It also meant the Germans had to fight a two-front war, which could have been avoided.

Answer 9

I think there were two, one when Hitler tired of the battle of britain and turned his attention elsewhere, and the sinking of 3 out of 4 the Japanese aircraft carriers

Answer 10

Germany invading Russia!