FIRST YEAR HISTORY NOTES



HISTORY NOTES

1. HISTORY

A. What is it?

B. Sources

C. Archaeology

2. THE CELTS

3. ANCIENT ROME

4. THE MIDDLE AGES

5. THE RENAISSANCE

HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY

1. What is History? History is the study of the past.

2. A Historian is a person who studies history.

3. Historians must be able to put information in the right order / chronology

e.g.

B.C. → Before Christ A.D. (Anno Domini) after the Birth of Christ e.g. 1999 A.D.

4. Sources: Anything that provides the historian with evidence is called a source.

Primary Sources: is edvidence which has survived from the past e.g. a diary / Birth Cert.

Secondary Source: is a second – hand information e.g. a book about Hitler.

5. Examples of Sources

• Books and Manuscripts

• Biography and Autobiography

• Newspapers

• Letters and Diaries

• Government Records

The Historian must be able to know the difference between a fact and an opinion.

ARCHAEOLOGY

1. Archaeology is the study of the past by digging up artefacts.

2. An archaeologist does not use written sources but excavates sites to discover how people lived.

3. Artefacts (object) tell us how people lived.

4. When an Archaeologist wants to excavate a site, must be

• Mapped

• Squared off.

When an object is found it must be

• Photographed

• Packaged

• Described

5. How does an Archaeologist know how old something is?

A. Carbon Dating: measures the level of Carbon 14 in the object.

B. Pendrochronology: counting the rings in trees.

C. Getting information from plants, bones and pollen

IRELANDS FIRST PEOPLE

STONE AGE:

Mesolithic: Earliest settlers in Ireland 7000 B.C. Mt Sandel in Derry.

They were nomadic hunters.

Spears and Arrows made of flint.

Neolithic: They were farmers, 4000 B.C.

Houses: wattle and daub → Lough Gur, Limerick.

Ceide Fields, Mayo.

Tools: stone weapons for hunting deer and pig.

Tombs: Neolithic people made megalithic (big stone) tombs for their dead.

Tombs

1. Court Oldest, open area and then 1 / 2 rectangular rooms.

2. Wedge Rectangular, covered by a huge stone.

3. Dolmen / Portal = 2 large upright stones and a capstone.

4. Passage long passage and then into a burial room.

e.g. Newgrange, December 21st the sun comes through an opening and light up the burial chamber.

BRONZE AGE

A. Tin and copper = Bronze → a hard metal.

B. Many Artefacts have been found

• Swords / Shields

• Jewellery

C. Cooking: Fulacht Fiadh, a hole filled with water, hot stones put in to heat water and then food was cooked.

D. Dead: Cist Graves → stone grave, sometimes bodies were cremated and put in an urn.

THE IRON AGE:

THE CELTS

1. Who were the Celts?

The Celts were a powerful tribe from Central Europe. They conquered Spain, Italy and France.

2. They came to Ireland in 500 B.C. and brought

a. Iron

b. The Irish language

3. How do we know about the Celts? Sources

A. The Greeks and Romans wrote about the Celts.

B. Archaeological evidence.

C. Celtic stories like the Táin Bó Cuailgne.

D. Annals / Records kept by the earl Irish monks.

4. How did they live?

A. In a tribe called a Tuath, c. 150 Tuaths in Ireland.

1. KINGS

2. NOBLES (Aós Dana)

3. DRUIDS

4. FARMERS

5. SLAVES

A. Kings and the Royal Family (Derbfine) were in charge of everything in the tuath.

B. Nobles owned land and were cattle warriors.

C. Aós Dana were the educated

A. File → poet

B. Judges

C. Bards

D. Doctors

D. Druid → Pagan priest.

5. What did they look like?

A. Tall, good looking, fair hair.

B. Men → wore a cloak → brat

Brooches e.g. Tara Brooch to tie it.

C. Women → make up from berries.

→Jewellery ‘torcs’ → gold necklaces.

D. They enjoyed large feasts.

E. Warlike people.

6. Settlement: Houses.

A. Ringfort (Rath): round mounds of earth with a ditch around it. Many ringforts had souterrains or underground passages

• To store food.

• Hiding places.

The houses were made of wattle and daub.

B. Crannóg: A man made island in the middle of a lake. Inside there was wooden houses made of wattle and daub.

C. Hillforts: Built on hill tops. Thought to be for the High Kings or Religious Ceremonies.

D. Promontory Fort: Built on cliff sides, surrounded by a stone wall, good for defence.

7. Celtic Religion

They were pagans, they had 4 great festivals.

A. Samhain → November 1st. B. Imbolg → 1st February.

C. Bealtaine → May. D. Lughnasa → Harvest. August.

When St. Patrick came they became Christians.

CHRISTIANITY IN IRELAND

1. St. Patrick came to Ireland in 432 A.D. How do we know about him? His book Confessions.

2. Early monasteries:

The first Irish monks were hermits. A hermit lived away from everyone so he could pray. E.g. Sceilig Mhichill, Co. Kerry. St Enda built the first monastery on the Aran Islands. The most famous convent = St. Brigid’s in Kildare. They had a Round Tower e.g. Glendalough.

3. By 700 A.D. many monasteries had grown into towns. The monks made manuscripts (books) in a scriptorium. They were made of Vellum → calf skin. The ink for the books were got from metal, berries and vegetables.

Important Manuscripts

• The Cathach

• Book of Durrow

• Book of Kells

4. The monasteries also made beautiful objects out of metal and stone

i. The Tara Brooch

ii. The Ardagh Chalice

iii. The Derrynaflan Chalice

iv. High Crosses

5. Many of these monasteries were attacked when the Vikings arrived.

ANCIENT ROME (Civilization)

Background:

Ancient Rome 2,000 years ago was the largest city in the world. The Romans were the most powerful people, they had an Empire which stretched most of Europe.

Life in Rome

1. The Forum: The most important part of Ancient Rome was the Forum. It was like a large street where there was a market. Here

A. People bought and sold goods. E.g. wine, flour and cloth.

B. Gossiped and talked.

C. Children went to school, market day wouldn’t go to school.

2. The Aqueducts: Rome had a very good water supply. It came from the hills in pipes and across towns in Aqueducts. It was gathered in the city in large cisterns and channelled from these to public fountains, toilets and baths.

3. The Baths: When Romans had free time they went to the public baths where they A. Washed, B. Exercised, C. Talked with friends. In the baths there were different rooms with different temperatures.

1. The Caldarium. The hot room.

2. The Tepidarium. The warm room.

3. The Frigidarium. The cold room.

Romans would have a massage, an instrument called a strigil was used. The most important baths were the baths of Caracalla.

4. Sport in Ancient Rome

A. Chariot Racing was a very popular sport in Rome. It was held in a stadium called a Hippodrome. The most famous Hippodrome was the Circus Maximus. There were 4 teams: white, green, blue and red. They circled the stadium 7 times. It was very dangerous and fast.

B. Gladiators. A gladiator was a fighter in Ancient Rome. Gladiators were

A. Criminals or Prisoners

B. Professionals

Gladiators fought against

1. Each other

2. Wild Animals: Lions, Tigers

The fighting took place in an Amphitheatre, an open air stadium. The biggest amphitheatre was the Colosseum.

RICH AND POOR PEOPLE IN ROME

There was a big difference between the rich and poor in Rome.

Rich. The rich were very powerful people for e.g. generals in the Army.

A. Houses: Rich people had a house in the city and a villa in the country. There was a central hall called an Atrium, this had a hole in the roof. There was also a dining room, a courtyard and garden called a peristyle. Mosaics (pictures on tiles) often covered the walls and floors.

B. Food: The Rich Romans would have lavish dinner parties. They ate:

1. Fruit

2. Meat

3. Fish

4. Wine

If they ate too much they went to a room called a Vomitorium. Here a slave would stick a feather down their throat and make them sick.

C. Clothes: The rich wore beautiful clothes, men wore a toga and women wore a stola.

Poor People

House, families lived in a single room in a 6 storey block of flats. In one room the family ate and slept. Dangers in these rooms:

1. Carrying water up and down.

2. No heating.

3. Bad ventilation.

4. Fire spreads quickly.

POMPEII

We know a lot about Ancient Rome because of the excavations at Pompeii.

1. In A.D. 79, A volcanic eruption from Mount Vesuvius. It destroyed the city of Pompeii, covering it with layers of lava and ashes.

2. In 1860 an Archaeologist called Fiorelli, excavated Pompeii. This excavation gives us a lot of information about how the Romans lived.

THE ROMAN EMPIRE

1. The Romans had a big empire. This was lots of foreign lands. It stretched from England to North Africa.

2. The Emperor was the ruler of the Roman Empire.

3. There are many buildings all over Europe which tell us that Romans once ruled their land.

THE ROMAN ARMY

The Roman Army was very big and powerful.

1. There was 3 types of soldiers

a. Foot soldiers (Infantry).

b. Horse soldiers (Cavalry).

c. Soldiers.

2. A soldier stayed in the army 20 years. When he left he was given a piece of land.

3. Caesar: The most famous army general was Julius Caesar who was also a great politician and ruler of Rome.

THE MIDDLE AGES

This means the time between Ancient (old) and Modern (new) History. Another name for the Middle Ages is Medieval.

1. The Vikings:

The Vikings were a group who came from Scandinavia → Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

A. When the Vikings first came to Ireland they stole treasures e.g. chalices from monasteries.

B. Later they settled in Ireland and began to trade with the Irish and other countries. They were the first people to build cities in Ireland e.g. Dublin, Wexford and Waterford. These were built along the sea so they could trade easily.

2. The Normans:

A. The next invaders to Ireland were the Normans who came originally from Normandy in France. They then went to Britain.

B. In 1169 they invaded Ireland.

C. They brought the feudal system to Ireland.

D. KINGS

LORDS (NOBLES AND BISHOPS)

KNIGHTS

PEASANTS

SERFS (SLAVES)

E. The lord had to promise to be loyal to the King and to give soldiers if a war started. In return for their loyalty the lord got land from the King.

F. Serfs: These were slaves. They were not allowed to leave the Lords’ land. If they did escape, they would be free men after 101 days

When the Normans came to Ireland they defeated the Irish because:

1. They had good weapons and soldiers.

2. Irish Chieftains kept fighting amongst themselves.

CASTLES

The Normans built different kinds of castles.

A. Motte and Bailey → 12th century.

B. Stone Castles → 13th century.

C. Tower Houses → 15th century.

A. Motte and Bailey:

The Normans built these wooden castles. Motte, a mound or hill, on top of it was a wooden keep → building.

B. Stone Castles:

Over time the Normans felt they needed stronger castles to live in.

Features / Parts of a Castle:

1. Keep: It had the

• Great Hall

• Living Rooms

• Dungeons

It was the main part of the castle.

2. Moat: This was a stream around the castle for protection.

3. Drawbridge: To cross the moat to a castle, there was a drawbridge, which could be lifted up and down.

4. Portcullis: This was an iron grid on the gate. It was for protection.

5. Barbican: This was a watchtower.

6. Wall: Around the castle there was a thick stone wall. The top of the wall are called the Battlement.

LIFE IN A CASTLE:

1. The Lord and Lady lived in the top part of the Keep.

2. The castle was very cold. There was no windows. Tapestries (carpets) were put on the wall for:

A. Warmth

B. Decoration

3. The Lady of the Castle sat in the solar, this was a room that faced the sun → nice and warm.

4. Dungeons: for keeping prisoners.

5. Great Hall: This is where the Lord ate and had a big banquet.

A banquet in the Great Hall.

Food:

• Pork

• Beef

• Venison

Spice used to flavour food. The guests were entertained by musicians and jugglers.

DEFENDING A CASTLE

It was not easy to attack a castle. The attackers used the following:

1. Siege Tower: A wooden tower in which soldiers hid.

2. Battering Ram: A wooden plank used to push in the castle door.

3. Big Catapult: Like a big sling.

4. Ladders: Up the high castle walls.

5. Mines: They dug a hole in the ground and tried to make a tunnel into the castle.

6. Siege: The attackers would lay siege on a castle. This means they would surround the castle for weeks until the people inside surrendered.

MEDIEVAL CHURCHES

During the Middle Ages most churches in Europe belonged to the Catholic Church. There was 2 different styles:

Romanesque

Gothic

ROMANESQUE (In the style of the Romans)

Rounded arches at doors and windows.

Big columns / pillars to support them.

GOTHIC

These later became more popular.

Pointed arches at doors and windows.

Big stain – glass windows.

Thin columns / pillars.

Flying buttresses to support wall from the outside.

MEDIEVAL MONASTERY

The places / rooms in the monastery:

The Church → where the monks pray.

Almonry → where sick people were helped.

Library.

Scriptorium → where monks wrote and illustrated manuscripts.

Dormitory → where the monks slept.

Infirmary → where sick monks went.

Refectory → where the monks ate.

Cloister → monks walked and attended classes.

Guest House.

Abbots House → abbot, head monk lived.

Chapter House → where the monks did the business of the monastery.

Monasteries were important places in the Middle Ages. Most monks followed the rule of St. Benedict. These were strict rules for the monks.

THE LIFE OF A MONK

1. To become a monk, a boy would enter a monastery at the age of 7. After years of learning he would take his solemn vows which are a promise to God.

A. Chastity → he could not marry.

B. Poverty → not allowed to own anything.

C. Obedience → had to obey the Abbot.

2. Clothes, the monk wore a habit (long cloak) and had his hair cut into a tonsure. He spent his day praying and working.

3. Prayers

1) Prime Time → Start of Day.

2) Vespers → Evening.

3) Compline →Going to bed.

4. Work

1) Abbot → head of monastery.

2) Sacristan → in charge of the church.

3) The Infirmarian → minded the sick.

4) The Almoner → gave food to the poor.

5) Scribes → made manuscripts.

5. Examples of monasteries

A. Mellifont Abbey, Co. Louth.

B. Holy Cross Abbey, Co. Tipperary.

MANOR

Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants. They lived in small villages. A village along with its land was called a manor.

A. The Manor House: The biggest house was the manor house where the Lord lived. There was a big hall for parties and big stables. The house was surrounded by an enclosure.

B. Priests House: The priest lived in a house beside the church. The priest baptised, married and buried people. In return the people gave him a tenth of their crops. This was called the tithe.

C. Peasant House: Peasants lived in small houses 8m long 4m wide. The house was made of wattle and daub and had a thatched roof. It had very little furniture. They needed the forestry for

1. Timber for the house.

2. Farm implements e.g. spades.

3. Fuel for fires.

4.

FARMING ON THE MANOR

The land on the manor was divided into 3 big fields. Each year one field was left fallow (grass) in order for it to stay fertile.

|YEAR 1 |BARLEY |WHEAT |FALLOW |

|YEAR 2 |WHEAT |FALLOW |BARLEY |

|YEAR 3 |FALLOW |BARLEY |WHEAT |

There was also common lands (e.g. The Curragh) → where people could graze their animals. Most of the people worked on the farm.

SERFS

But some peasants were not free → serfs / villeins. They belonged to the Lord. They had to work without pay on the demesne / manor. They could not marry or leave the area without the Lords permission. Many serfs wanted to be free. If they escaped the Lord had the right to punish them. If a serf hid for a year and a day he could then remain free.

SOLDIERS IN THE MIDDLE AGES

1. KNIGHT

When a boy wanted to become a Knight he went to live in another Lords House.

A. A Page: When he was 7 years old he became a page. He learned to ride a horse, use a sword, dance and play the lute.

B. Squire: When he was 14 he became a Squire. Now he learned how to fight and went into battle with the Lord.

C. Knight: When he was 21 he had a special ceremony called a Dubbing. He would pray a lot the night before. He promised to follow a code of chivalry, which meant he must tell the truth and protect women and children. Knights wore suits of armour. Weapons → shields, lance → a long pole and maces → steel spiked ball.

2. ARCHERS

These were the soldiers in charge of bows and arrows. There was 2 types:

1) Long Bow

2) Cross Bow

3. FOOT SOLDIERS

These were ordinary soldiers.

MEDIEVAL TOWNS

In the Middle Ages, the Normans built towns with castles and a wall around it.

→ Medieval Towns were surrounded by a wall with gates which open at sunrise and close at sunset for protection.

→ Houses were very poor quality and streets were narrow and rubbish was thrown out onto the street.

→ Charter: The King would grant a town a charter to own their own business. There was a town council responsible for taxes and the running of the town.

→ Guilds → Everyone who worked at a craft belonged to a guild e.g. Goldsmith Guild.

WHAT DID THE GUILD DO?

1. Set exams for craftsmen.

2. Made sure the goods were of high quality.

3. Set wages and conditions.

LIFE OF A CRAFTSMAN

1. Apprentice: At the age of 12, a boy went to work for a master as an apprentice. He lived in his masters house and learned his trade. An apprentice had to stay with his master for 7 years. He was not paid but given food and clothes.

2. Journeysman: After 7 years the apprentice became a Journeysman. He left his master and travelled all over gaining experience.

3. Master Craftsman: If you wanted to own your own shop you had to become a master. He had to make a masterpiece and show his skill. If he passed, he would become a member of a guild and could open his own workshop.

LIFE IN THE TOWN

FAIRS AND MARKETS:

Every town had a weekly market. Peasants from all manors went to town, set up a stall and sold their products. It was in the market square.

Fairs → held in big towns once a year. They were very important – Merchants (Salesmen) would buy and sell things.

WHY WERE THEY IMPORTANT?

1. Craftsmen bought → iron, dyes.

2. Holidays for peasants → musicians.

3. Exchange of news.

DANGERS OF LIVING IN TOWNS IN THE MIDDLE AGES

1. Fires: Houses = wood = fire.

2. Diseases and Dirt = Dirt widespread in towns, rubbish thrown out into streets.

THE BLACK DEATH

In the 1300s the Black Death or Bubonic Plague spread all across Europe including Dublin. Fleas on rats carried the disease. 1/3 of the population in Europe died from the disease.

THE RENAISSANCE

The Renaissance was a ‘rebirth’ of learning and ideas that took place in the 1500s in Italy.

WHY DID THE RENAISSANCE BEGIN IN ITALY?

1. Italy was the centre of the Old Roman Empire.

2. Italy was the crossroads for Trade.

3. Peaceful and Rich Italian cities – States.

4. Italian Patrons.

5. When the Turks captured Constantinople in 1453, the fleeing Greeks brought many valuable books and manuscripts with them.

Patrons: Rich people who sponsored the Artist e.g. the Medici Family in Florence. The Medicis were a rich family.

1. RENAISSANCE ART

Renaissance art was different than before.

1) Depth was used – perspective.

2) Sfumato or the blurring in of a figure to blend in was used.

3) Frescos – a painting which is done on a wall while the plaster is still wet.

4) Concentrated on the human body instead of religious objects – Anatomy.

2. RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE

They began their own style. The most famous architect was Brunellschi. His most famous structure was the dome of Florence Cathedral.

3. WRITING IN THE RENAISSANCE

A. Until the Renaissance all books were handwritten.

B. A German, Gutenberg invented movable type – letters.

C. This started printing. Printing Press.

D. Importance of Printing:

1. Helped spread the Renaissance ideas.

2. Religious ideas, like Luthers spread quickly.

3. It was possible for great writers like Shakespeare to become known by all.

E. Famous Writers

1. Erasmus → Dutch.

2. Sir Thomas More → Utopia.

3. Shakespeare → Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet.

FAMOUS ARTISTS DURING THE RENAISSANCE

Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519)

1. Born, Vinci near Florence in 1952.

2. Verrochio was his teacher. When Verrochio found out how good Leonardo was, he gave up painting.

3. Went to Milan. Famous Paintings:

1) Virgin on the Rocks.

2) The Last Supper.

3) Mona Lisa → famous smile.

4. Studied Anatomy.

5. Carried a notebook, a great inventor, had ideas of helicopters, submarines. “Mirror Writing”.

A FAMOUS ARTIST AND SCULPTOR. 1475 – 1564

Michelangelo

1. Born in Florence, he was a brilliant Artist, Sculptor, Architect and Poet.

2. He trained as a sculptor in Lorenzo de Medici’s school.

3. Famous Sculptures:

1) The Pieta, Jesus in his mother’s arms.

2) David.

4. Famous Painting → The Sistine Chapel in Rome. The Pope Julius II asked him to carve his tomb but then decided to paint the chapel ceiling instead. It took 4 years to finish. Scenes from the Bible. Old Testament scenes.

5. He designed St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

WORLD WAR II

BACKGROUND

WWI – 1914 – 1918

Germany, Austria and Hungary

Vs

Britain, France and Russia.

Germany lost!

PEACE TALKS

League of Nations

After the war a lot of countries decided to set up a group where everyone could talk and problems would be sorted out instead of having a war.

Treaty of Versailles

The Big 3 met

• Lloyd George – Great Britain.

• Wilson – USA.

• Clemenceau – France.

They decided:

1. Germany was to blame for starting the war.

2. Germany had to pay back millions for damages, 6.6 billion.

3. Germany lost a lot of land.

4. Germany could only have a small army, no navy or airforce.

5. Germany could not join with Austria and make one country together→ Anschluss.

MUSSOLINI 1883 – 1944 ‘IL DUCE’ (THE LEADER)

- Born in Northern Italy.

- Fought in WWI, was wounded and sent home. Italy fought with France and Britain against Germany. But after WWI Italy did not get any of the new land she wanted at the Treaty of Versailles. So Italy was angry!

- Mussolini founded the Fascio di Combattimento – the Fascist Party.

- This party wanted Italy to be powerful.

- They were Anti – Communist.

- 1922 the Fascists planned to ‘March on Rome’. (To take over the city)!

- The King of Italy – Victor Emmanuel – didn’t want a fight so he asked Mussolini to set up a government.

- By 1924 Mussolini was head of the country and the King did not interfere.

- Mussolini had his main opponent killed – Matteotti, a socialist.

- Mussolini then banned all other political parties.

- He then decided he could make rules / change them without asking the other fascists.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Italy and other countries)

- Mussolini wanted to take over Abyssinia (Ethiopia today) because they had beaten Italy in a war in 1896.

- Abyssinia asked the League of Nations for help, but the League had no army. They asked Italy not to invade Abyssinia. Mussolini ignored them and took over Abyssinia in 1936.

Rome Berlin Axis = 1936 Hitler and Mussolini agreed to help each other.

Mussolini did do some great things for Italy

He cut the unemployment level.

He built great roads, electric railways and he reclaimed land.

He made peace with the Catholic Church. The Lateran Treaty.

- He gave the Pope, Pius XI, the Vatican, as a separate state.

- Catholicism was the official religion of Italy.

- Paid the Pope huge compensation.

- The Pope agreed to support Mussolini!

* Mussolini’s followers were known as the Blackshirts.

ADOLF HITLER – DER FÜHRER

- After WWI Germany was called the Weimar Republic. (Because the new government met in the town of Weimar)!

- It was a democracy (all could vote).

- This government worked well until 1929 Wall Street Crash, and the country became bankrupt.

- So the government were then blamed for:

1. Signing the Treaty of Versailles.

2. Losing land in Germany.

3. Losing colonies.

THE RISE OF HITLER

- Born in Austria in 1889.

- Joined the German army in 1914 and fought on the Western front (against France and Britain).

- Won medals for bravery.

- After WWI he became a spy for the Weimar government.

- 1921 he spied on the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party).

- He was impressed by them and joined!

- The party came up with their own symbol –

- The Swastika, a special salute and their own marching songs.

- 1923 he tried to take over Münich. This was called the Münich Putsch.

- This failed and Hitler was arrested.

- He spent one year in Landsberg Prison.

BRITAIN - OPERATION SEALION

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN

- Germany and Britain both wanted control of the air.

- Germany had the Luftwaffe.

Britain had the Royal Air Force. (RAF)

- Many British cities were bombed i.e. London, Coventry and Belfast.

- This was known as the ‘Blitz’.

- Germany lost this battle.

RUSSIA - OPERATION BARBAROSSA

- June 1941 Germany attacked Russia.

- This split the German army in two.

- The German army on the Eastern front (Russian side) split into 3 groups to attack Moscow, Stalingrad and Caucasus.

- The Germans sis well until the Winter set in.

- The Germans tanks and guns froze. Soldiers died of hypothermia (the cold).

- Russians were used to the cold.

- At the Battle of Stalingrad the Germans were beaten. This changed the course of the war.

The Russians lost the most troops in the war – 20 million men! By the end!

1941 – 1945

JAPAN

Japan wanted to expand – to grow.

They signed the Rome – Berlin – Tokyo Axis in 1936.

PEARL HARBOUR

- December 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour. (Hawaiian Island of Oahu). They killed 2,403 soldiers and civilians.

- Hawaii belonged to the USA.

- So USA joined the war on the side of Britain and France.

- USA attacked Japan. But agreed to help in Europe also.

- The war was now in Europe and the Pacific.

NORTH AFRICA

- Before the War, the British controlled Egypt.

- German troops moved into North Africa.

- The Germans made the British nervous.

- Egypt was attacked by the Germans.

- This German group was called the Afrika Corps and were led by General Rommel (The Desert Rat).

- In October 1942 British troops led by General Montgomery beat the German force at the Battle of El Alamein.

- Montgomery then went into Tunisia, where they met up with the US Forces.

- These US Forces were led by General Eisenhower.

- The US and British forces then attacked Sicily (Island off Italy).

ITALY

- Between July 1943 and May 1944, Britain and USA made slow progress through Italy.

- In June 1944, Britain and U.S. captured Rome.

- Germany was now alone and surrounded by British troops in the West, British troops and U.S. troops in the South, Russian troops in the East.

THE INVASION OF NORMANDY – OPERATION OVERLOAD

- From 1941 – 1943 Germany fought mainly on the Russian Front.

- The allies needed to start fighting in the West again.

- They planned an invasion of Normandy.

- They wanted to attack the Germans at LeHarve and Cherbourg (both in France) but both of these were heavily guarded by the Germans.

D – DAY - DELIVERANCE DAY

- 6th June 1944.

150,000 British and U.S. troops landed at Normandy.

- The allied forces landed at five beaches – Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. (code names).

- The Germans put up a strong fight but the allies forced them to retreat.

- The Allies built portable harbours. So they could bring more men and equipment onto the shore.

- By the end of June over 1 million troops had landed.

- 18th August 1944 – Paris was freed and the allies now moved towards Belgium.

THE WAR IN EUROPE ENDS

- December 1944 Belgium was liberated.

- The allies then carried on a ‘Blitz’ on German cities.

- December 1944 the Germans made a last serious effort at the Battle of the Bulge but they failed.

- 30th April 1945, the Russians had moved the Germans back to Berlin.

- Hitler and his wife, Eva Braun, committed suicide.

- 7th May 1945, Germany surrendered. This is known as VE DAY (Victory in Europe Day).

THE JEWISH PEOPLE

- Hitler’s main concentration camps were Dachau, Auschwitz and Belsen.

- He killed 6 million Jews, in gas chambers.

- This was known as the Holocaust.

- Many medical experiments were performed on the Jews, organised by Josef Mengele.

- The Germans had labour Camps for non – Jew.

THE PACIFIC WAR

Phase One

- After Pearl Harbour, the Japanese invaded Singapore, French Indo – China and many U.S. controlled islands.

- June 1942 the U.S. won The Battle of Midway Island. The Japanese never recovered from the defeat.

- The U.S. victory led to a war tactic called ‘island - hopping’.

- Japan was beaten island by island.

- It was very costly for both Japan and the U.S.

Phase Two

- The Japanese refused to surrender. They used Kamikaze (suicide) missions against the U.S. ships.

- From the late 1930s, U.S. and British scientists had developed the atomic bomb.

- This was known as the Manhatten Project.

- 1945 Roosevelt died and was replaced by Harry S. Truman as president.

- Truman decided to use the bomb.

- 6th August 1945 the Japanese city of Hiroshima was bombed – 80,000 killed.

- 2 days later, Nagasaki was attacked and 60,000 were killed.

- 10th August 1945, the Japanese surrendered.

- This was called VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day).

THE NUREMBERG TRIALS

- These were war criminal trials. These happened from November 1945 → September 1946.

- 12 German leaders were sentenced to death.

AFTER THE WAR

The Allied leaders met 3 times at Tehran October 1943 – Yalta February 1945 and Potsdam July 1945 – could not agree!

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