A Review Of The Grand Alliance

Through the union of the world’s largest colonial power, Great Britain, the greatest Communist nation, the Soviet Union, and the world’s greatest capitalist country, the United States, came the establishment of The Grand Alliance. This coalition, made during World War II, exemplified the need to come together to defeat Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. With the combined efforts of the three Allied countries – the United State’s industrialized war production, Soviet Union’s innumerable manpower, and Great Britain’s access to the frontlines of Germany – the defeat of the Axis Powers was inescapable. Other circumstances, such as preemptive organization and prioritizing of preparation for war, widespread patriotism in the Allied countries, and the adoption of “unconditional surrender” by the Allied Powers, were supplementary factors that led to the inevitable success of the Grand Alliance. In addition, there were several turning points in the Second World War which lead to the victory of the Grand Alliance. This included many significant battles such as the Battle of Midway, the Battle of Normandy, the Battle of Stalingrad, and the Battle of the Bulge.

The amalgamation of the United State’s effective all-out war production, the Soviet Union’s man power, with Great Britain’s useful proximity to Germany and prevalence of aircraft carriers culminated in the success of the Grand Alliance. The United States devoted all their resources during World War Two to the production

of war time supplies in support of all the Allied fighting forces. It single-handedly provided equipment for itself as well as the Soviet Union and Great Britain throughout the duration of the war. With the United State’s constant supply of war time equipment and other essentials, the Allied Powers thus had a significant advantage over the Axis Powers. The Soviet Union then provided the necessary human beings to use the equipment supplied by the United States. This strong supply of manpower stemmed from the Red Army, which was under the command of the Soviet dictator at that time, Joseph Stalin. Great Britain offered its physical proximity and its aircraft carriers and air force to support the fully equipped Red Army soldiers. Great Britain also offered an effective and mobilized economy, which in turn provided a steady income source for the Allied Powers.

More factors also played a role in the success of the Grand Alliance. The preemptive preparation for war by the United States and increased organization of the Soviet Red Army illustrated one of these factors. The United States had up to 18 months of preparation before the Pearl Harbor disaster. Those 18 months were crucial because in that time, the military had been rehabilitated and the foundation was laid for the tremendous, upcoming war production achievement. The Soviet Red Army had also instilled within itself new talented military leaders which led the military force with many

key victories during the war. Additionally, fervent patriotism reverberated throughout the Allied countries. Their enthusiastic nature about the war amplified morale and was also imperative in augmenting the psychological strength of the soldiers. Furthermore, this enthusiasm was also subtly reflected in the adoption of the “unconditional surrender”

idea; the notion that glued the Grand Alliance firmly together because it meant that Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany, would be unable to divide his opposing forces.

Throughout the duration of World War Two, the majority of power was first held by the Axis Powers. However, after several major victories and other key turning points, the tide of power washed over to the Allied Powers. This occurred after battles such as Battle of Midway, the Battle of Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge. The Battle of Midway of 1942 was one of the most important naval battles in World War Two. During this battle, the United States Navy had efficiently defeated the Imperial Japanese Navy and thus inflicted permanent damage on the Japanese. At the same time, the Battle of Stalingrad was occurring in the Eastern Front of the European side of the battle. This battle was the most important turning point in the war because it marked the beginning of the Soviet Union’s counter attack against Nazi Germany. This ferocious attack would also lead to Hitler’s surrender roughly two and a half years later. Then, in June of 1944, the Battle of Normandy was the largest amphibious Allied advancement into Western Europe which resulted in the confirmation that the end of the war was drawing near. Furthermore, in December of 1944, one of the bloodiest confrontations, the Battle of the Bulge, was the last desperate counter-attack by the Nazis. It failed. And with its failure came the end of the great Second World War.

The conclusion of World War Two and the success of the Grand Alliance relied upon several key factors and even more crucial turning points of the war. The combined effect of the United State’s complete dedication to war production, the Soviet Union’s immeasurable man power, and Great Britain’s essential location to Germany and the

European countries lead to the Allied victory over the Axis Powers. Several battles such as the Battle of Midway, the Battle of Stalingrad, the Battle of Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge served as imperative turning points in the Second World War and also assisted the inexorable Allied victory over Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.