Abstract This paper analyzes Edward Erickson's 2003 book, "Defeat in Detail: The Ottoman Army in the Balkans". The paper discusses specific reasons for the defeat of the Ottoman Empire. It also discusses Erickson's credentials and the methodology used in the book.
Tags: Ottoman, Balkans, Erickson, Defeat, Detail, Army
Abstract In this article the writer examines how even though in 1942, Adolf Hitler almost defeated the Soviet Union, the Soviets somehow managed to achieve victory in 1945. The writer researches the debate regarding the reasons why Hitler was defeated. The writer notes that it seems probable, however, that no single event caused Hitler's defeat. In this essay, the writer looks at the various issues that may have contributed to the defeat of the Nazi army.
From the Paper "In 1942, Adolf Hitler all but had the army of the Soviet Union defeated. In 1945, however, the Soviets snatched victory from his grasp. There exists some debate as to why Hitler was defeated. It seems probable, however, that no single event caused Hitler's defeat. One possible cause was that Hitler made the decision not to attack Moscow during his initial invasion. In addition, Hitler underestimated the capabilities of the Soviet army. At the same time, he overestimated his own capabilities. All of these things may have contributed to the defeat of the Nazi army. Why then, did Hitler find defeat that the hands of the Soviets? How did these factors contribute? Were there other factors that led to Hitler's defeat?"
Abstract This paper analyses and discusses why the French were defeated by the Vietnamese in Indochina. The paper explains that there were three stages to the defeat: Firstly the conduct of many nations and movements during and after the Second World War placed France at a great disadvantage when they attempted to reclaim their colonial possessions in the region, contrasting the relative ease with which Britain reasserted itself in Malaya and the U.S.A. in the Philippines immediately after the war. Secondly the French administration did itself a great disservice when the opportunity for negotiation with nationalist forces arose. Finally the French were defeated militarily due to a wide range of factors including the popularity and numerical superiority of their enemy, international support for the Vietminh, discrepancy between the quality of French leadership and that of the communists, and the superiority of Vietminh tactics given the conditions under which the war was fought.
From the Paper "After over one hundred years of colonial rule in Indochina, France withdrew from Southeast Asia, defeated by the communist-nationalist Vietminh. There were many reasons for this loss. French defeat came in three stages. Firstly the conduct of many nations and movements during and after the Second World War placed France at a great disadvantage when they attempted to reclaim their colonial possessions in the region, contrasting the relative ease with which Britain reasserted itself in Malaya and the USA in the Philippines immediately after the war. Secondly the French administration did itself a great disservice when the opportunity for negotiation with nationalist forces arose. Finally the French were defeated militarily due to a wide range of factors including the popularity and numerical superiority of their enemy, international support for the Vietminh, discrepancy between the quality of French leadership and that of the communists, and the superiority of Vietminh tactics given the conditions under which the war was fought."
Abstract This paper focuses on the five main factors that led to Germany's defeat in the Second World War. It first examines the lack of focus of German operations. Next, it looks at Germany's inability to make lasting allies and how Germany's cruelty to conquered nations caused unnecessary antagonism and united other countries against her. Next, the paper discusses America's industrial and manpower contributions to the war, which was far greater than Hitler had expected and boosted the strength of the Allies greatly. The paper then discusses how Germany never achieved its economic potential. Finally, the paper describes Hitler's unwillingness to end the war. These five factors combined to form a great Allied threat to Germany and a German denial and arrogance, which ultimately resulted in its defeat.
From the Paper "This policy was not conducive to political alliances and ultimately was a major factor in Germany's downfall The nature of Nazism combined with Hitler's distrustful nature and "Hitler's well-proven untrustworthiness" made it impossible for Germany to have any lasting allies. In 1941, Germany tried to organize an anti-British alliance of Spain France, Italy, Germany, Russia and Japan, but failed. No one believed the propaganda about a united Europe. The propaganda about a "European Partnership" was not believed by Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway or Denmark. The alliances with Italy and Russia that existed early in the war deteriorated."
Abstract This paper examines the factors leading to the defeat of the Conservative government in the 1964 election, concentrating on economic and political reasons. It looks in detail at the economic decline that Britain was experiencing, the role of the trade unions within this and the effect of the rejection of the application to join the European Community. It then considers the political factors, including scandals such as the Vassal and Profumo affairs, the resignation of Macmillan, and the leadership contest which ended in the succession by Douglas-Home. The paper concludes that given the history of the parliament, it was unsurprising that the Conservatives were defeated in the election, perhaps exacerbated by the choice of new leader following the resignation of Macmillan.
From the Paper "In 1961 Profumo, the Minister of War, began an affair with Christine Keeler, who was also involved with a Russian diplomat. When discovered, there was speculation about whether national security had been threatened: these rumours did not cease, and eventually, in March 1963, formal questions were raised in the Commons, to which the response was a personal statement read by Profumo. The statement was mostly true, with the exception of a claim that there had been no personal impropriety, and it was accepted by the MPs, although the press, continued with their speculations. Eventually in June 1963, Profumo admitted to the House that he had lied, and resigned his seat. "
Abstract This paper analyzes the defeat of the German Sixth Army at Stalingrad. The paper contends that the military defeat was caused by failures of German military and political leadership as well as a powerful Soviet resistance and counter-offensive.
Tags: germans were outgeneraled, outfoxed, outmaneuvered and outproduced.
Abstract This paper contends that the Chinese communists in 1927 did not directly cause their own defeat, but it occurred by a number of reasons such as poor organisation and a lack of mass support among the industrial workers of China's cities. The paper also argues that the main reason why the Chinese communists were defeated was that the policy which was devised by Stalin's leadership and the Comintern was inappropriate for China and her society at the time.
From the Paper "Since the inception of the united front policy in July 1925, the policy was heavily skewed towards to Kuomintang and its predominant role in the Chinese struggle for independence against imperialism and the feudal warlords of the North. Consequently, the Communists were subordinate to the Kuomintang from the outset, and although, as the movement grew, Comintern funds for the Chinese Communists increased substantially, one must note that these funds were small "compared with the Soviet aid for weapons and other programs given to the Nationalists" . The Kuomintang were supplied with weapons and aid, which then increased following the success of the Northern Expedition, and only ceased when it looked as if Chiang Kai-shek would not stop his march on Shanghai in February of 1927. "
Abstract This paper traces the development of the Germanic tribes in the 3rd and 4th centuries. Emphasis is placed on the causes of the German's changes and explains how they came to power. Describes the elements of Roman decline and its eventual defeat at the hands of German tribes with the sacking of Rome on August 24th, 410 A.D.
From the Paper "Political, social and economic problems weakened the Western Roman Empire and eventually led to their collapse. Although these three factors were a major cause of the destruction of Western Rome, the invasions of the Germanic tribes into Roman territory were profoundly important in changing the political map of Europe and destroying the Western Roman Empire."
Abstract This paper describes the historical and technical development of the strategic and tactical air power methods used by the U.S. to defeat the Nazis. The paper also describes the extreme conditions that pilots operated under during WWII and the courage and heroism required of the pilots of that era.
Air Power Flexibility and Versatility during WWII
A B-17 Crew Member ? a Gunner ? Writes to his Mother
The Dangers of Fighter Pilots being Shot down
Body Armor ("Flak Suits") Protected Some Air Corps Fliers
From the Paper "There was a predictable yet seemingly restrained power struggle ongoing during the buildup to the U.S. engagement in Europe, between the ground forces and air command units; Spires writes (4) that a Field Manual on April 9, 1942 (Aviation in Support of Ground Forces) offered ?much to satisfy the most ardent air power proponents in the newly designated Army Air Forces (AAF).? There would be some layers of authority to go through however, since the ground commanders would initiate requests for air power ? through air support parties ? and the requests would then be sent to air support command for approval. If indeed approved, the command at air support would issue orders to aircraft."
Abstract This paper identifies the Napoleonic tactics utilized by Robert E. Lee during the Civil War. It aims to show that use of these tactics resulted in Lee experiencing some of the same victories and defeats as did Napoleon Bonaparte. The paper discusses the reasons for the similar outcomes, particularly focusing on the changing nature of warfare in both cases.
Table of Contents:
Statement of Thesis
Purpose of Study
Definitions and Terms
Background of the Study
Overview of Napoleon Bonaparte
Overview of Robet E. Lee
Victories of Napoleon and Lee Compared
Defeats of Napoleon and Lee Compared
The Battle of Waterloo and the Battle of Gettysburg
Influence of Napoleon on Lee in Victories and Defeats Summar
Conclusion
From the Paper "Lee utilized Napoleonic "skirmishes" regularly during the battles of the civil war. When's Lees army was mobile he would deploy advanced guards as well as flanking parties, and in fact, this procedure was standard for Lee when mobile. Close order formation is also a Napoleonic tactic utilized by Lee during the battles of the Civil War. The work of Carhart (2005) states that this close order formation is the highest ranking in the causes of civil war casualties. Because no one questioned this technique during the civil war casualties were very high however, according to the work of Weigley (1991) any other formation than the linear formation was unquestionable at the time of the civil war. The Napoleonic tactic of 'entrenchment' can be seen to be used by the Union army at Gettysburg as key in the defeat of Lee and his forces."
Abstract During the course of this essay the writer evaluates and examines the legitimacy of the claim that the US media had a role in the defeat of the United States in the Vietnam War because it turned public opinion against the war and thus made the war unwinnable. The writer maintains that this claim has to some extent been allowed to cloud the discussion over why the US were unsuccessful in Vietnam. The writer maintains that the media role was an extremely influential element in the eventual US withdrawal, but it was by no means the most important component. The writer begins by examining the role of military factors in America's defeat, ranging from flaws in the overall policy of containment to the military ineptness of US forces in the field. The writer maintains that these factors played a pivotal role in the US's inability to successfully prosecute the war. The writer then moves onto the media impact, which in itself was a tremendously important factor.
From the Paper "As is often the case when an enemy lives and survives within the wider population, the US forces found it virtually impossible to distinguish between Vietcong fighters and South Vietnamese civilians; they simply could not tell who the enemy was. The chemical defoliant agent orange was used to destroy forests or anything else that might give cover to the enemy, very often accompanied by the explosive jelly napalm. This military strategy produced few favourable results for the US and the effect it had on anyone caught in its path was devastating. Therefore, what these types of attacks did serve to do was to alienate US forces from the wider population and therefore destroy any possibility of winning 'hearts and minds'. Furthermore, although bombing intensified and the number of troops and equipment grew rapidly, US forces still found it impossible to halt the movement of Vietcong troops and supplies from North to South along the Ho Chi Minh trail."
Abstract The paper provides a brief overview of the American colonial forces and of the American Revolution and attempts to convey how the American way of war allowed the American army to win. The paper describes the many strategies soldiers used to defeat their British oppressors, the foreign assistance and the character skills of George Washington and other continentals that all led to the British defeat. The paper concludes that, ultimately, American forces had the weapon that the British could never possess and that was fighting for a cause.
Outline:
Short History of American Colonial Forces
Short History of the American Revolution
The American Way of War
Foreign Assistance
State of the Continental Army
Washington and the Legacy of the Continental Army
From the Paper "The United States of America was born on the battlefields of North America during the eight years known as the American War of Independence. There has been much myth and legend that has come to light with the American improbable win over the British. Since the Paris Peace Treaty of 1783 many Americans feel that a miracle had occurred that allowed for this impossible victory over the greatest Empire in the known world. These people classify this as a miracle that allowed the Continentals to triumph over the British."
Abstract The paper points to several elements in Sophocles' tragedy, "Oedipus Rex", that point to Oedipus as being a tragic hero rather than a common mythological one, mainly the fact that his greatness does not prevent him from failing and being terrible defeated. The paper shows how Sophocles' tragedy emphasizes the fate of the individual who is subject to his own destiny of defeat, despite his great qualities and deeds that would rank him among the exceptional mythological heroes.
From the Paper "One of the greatest Greek tragedies of all times, Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, ends with the following lines: "Therefore wait to see life's ending ere thou count one mortal blest;/ Wait till free from pain and sorrow he has gained his final rest".(Sophocles, 142) These lines represent the gist of the tragedy. The Chorus emphasizes thus, in a few words, some of the quintessential creeds of the ancient Greeks: the fact that human condition in itself is tragic and that the individual is a feeble plaything in the hands of the mighty, inexorable destiny. Oedipus is thus constructed as a tragic hero, an inverted image of the myth hero, to exemplify the cruelty and tragedy of the human condition on earth. There are a few obvious tokens in the text of the tragedy that point to Oedipus trajectory as being that of a tragic hero rather than a common mythological one."
Abstract The paper discusses how World War I changed the thinking about war from a romanticized quest into a reality of horror, shock and injury. The paper then looks at Germany's initial success in World War II and outlines the factors that led to her ultimate defeat. Next, the paper looks at the attempts to create a peace settlement after WWII that only culminated in further conflict, particularly as involving the United States, Germany and the USSR. The paper concludes that these wars will forever remind us how cruelty can override all other human emotions and contends that world leaders need to make greater efforts to preserve the peace.
Outline:
World War I
WWII: Germany's Success and Defeat WWII Peace Settlement
Conclusion
From the Paper "Most obviously, World War I differed from other wars in its worldwide scale. Never before had a war been fought on such a large scale, nor had it ever been as brutal to soldier, citizen, and innocent alike. Bernd Huppauf describes the horror so this war in very specific terms when he mentions the return of mutilated soldiers from a war fought with a new category of weapon.
"The modernization of weapons also meant a new category of mutilation: limbs were much more easily torn off than were the case before. The sort of survivors was much worse than for previous wars. The wounds were not however only physical. Many soldiers suffered from psychological shock and other mental problems as a result of their war experiences. Spending hours in dugouts for example resulted in a lack of control over extremities, according to the author."
Abstract The following paper discusses the exciting course of the history of one of the world's most prominent and influential countries ? Japan. It examines Japan's days through simple life in the ancient times (Yayoi, Jomon, and Heian periods) to years of civil unrest during the Feudal times, dominated by constant warfare for the position of ultimate power ? shogun. This paper also looks at Japan's culture, her people and her ideology, as time passes into the Meiji restoration. The writer discusses Japan's fierce struggle for global prominence as she tries to expand beyond her tiny island nation onto mainland Asia, only to be sucked into the global conflict of World War II. The writer reflects on the country's vital role in this war, and analyzes her sad defeat and ultimate rebirth out of one of the darkest periods in history. The paper also has a brief summary of Japanese history from the 1970's to the present day.
From the Paper "The Japanese archipelago was first inhabited more than 100,000 years ago, when it still comprised part of the continental Asian land mass. Archaeological discoveries indicate that the ancient people of this time (The Old Stone Age or Paleolithic Age) survived on a very basic diet provided through daily hunting and gathering. The New Stone, or Neolithic age, dating at 10,000 years BC, is characterized by the manufacture of refined stone implements, the development of advanced hunting techniques using bows and arrows, and the production of earthenware containers for cooking and storing food. This age ushered in the Jomon period (around 8000 to 300 BC) so named after the jomon (cord-marked) style of pottery which originated during this time. Agriculture, primarily rice planting, and metalworking techniques were introduced from mainland Asia around 300 BC, towards the end of the period. The native peoples of Japan now began incorporating farming tools, metal weapons and bronze swords, and mirrors into their daily life and culture. The new machinery helped increase agricultural production, mirrors were used in religious rituals, and the newfound weapons helped settle any domestic disputes between rival Japanese tribes."
