Second World War Outbreak 80th Anniversary
 

Tomorrow is 80 years ago since the beginning of the bloodiest international military conflict ever.

It seems like such a long time ago, but it really wasn't when we think about it.

Really, just the sheer scale of World War 2 makes me think what a Third World War would be like. Of course, there have been many measures just to prevent such an occurence again (such as the creation of the United Nations), but there were also measures implemented after the First World War which ended up failing, so we never really know.

OP, this is one of those threads that can turn out political fast. Just saying.

Anyway, I do not have much else to say about World War 2 that hasn't been said a billion times before already. Just gonna say two things:

1) Luckily my country was one of the few European countries to stay neutral throughout the war. Meaning it avoided all the bloodshed and destruction of the conflict.

2) This war still affects our world to this day and will continue to do so for a while. Have we really learned from it, though? I doubt.

Same. It’s hard to really understand what this war must have like back then, as we weren’t even born until decades later. I learnt a lot about World War 2 in school from History class and my country was one of the few Euro countries able to stay neutral too. That period was called the Emergency in Ireland at the time.

I am American, and thus my Country was part of the "BIG 3" of the war, of course that being America, England, and Russia. Like others has said, there is not really much I can say about it. Amazing WWI happen over 100 years ago. Meaning if WWII is turning 80, in 20 years we may all be for its 100th Anniversary.

Always wonder how Ireland and some of the other European countries were able to stay out of WWII with Hitler's invasion and taking up good chucks of Europe along the way. Had America not join, Hitler not attack Russia, and England failed, I think you guys would be giving little choice but to fight a more powerful Germany down the road, assuming Germany didn't just walk right in and claim victory.

Yeah, I agree. About 50 million people died all over Europe, didn't they? Terrible.

I cannot speak about Ireland's neutrality or its reasons, but in portugal's case it was a combination of factors:

- Portugal had participated in WW1 and lost a lot of military during it. Even if the country wasn't invaded or attacked on its soil. This made us learn our lesson and avoid repeating the same mistake with WW2.

- Portugal had a far-right/fascist government during WW2 but Salazar, the leader, did not like Hitler much, so he'd never want to ally with him.

- Portugal had the longest-standing alliance with the United Kingdom. Which meant if we allied with the Axis we'd get the English on our soil a few days afterwards and possibly get conquered. Since Germany was the one to declare war on England, we had no obligation to join England in the war. And clearly, there wasn't much of an advantage in Portugal joining the Allies either, so we decided it was best to stay neutral. Plus, Spain's Franco was also neutral(the country had been ravaged due to tis civil war) and we probably didn't know if they'd join the war later or not, and if they had ended up on an opposite side(Franco would definitely have allied with Hilter) it could mean danger for us.

- Germany never disrespected our neutrality. You might remember they disrespected Denmark's Belgium's and the Netherland's neutrality, but Portugal was a bit too far and is also geographically a bit far from the UK, so there was no point for Germany to try and come here. Also, Portugal sold supplies to both the Allies and the Axis at first, in order to compromise. And also eventually let USA build a base at the Azores.

- African colonies. Portugal had its African colonies at the time still and they bordered British, French and German colonies. So, it was best to stay put and not take part in the war. No way we'd have had enough man power to protect the colonies if we had decided to go to war.

- The closest Portugal got into joining the war was when Japan invaded East Timor, a tiny Portuguese colony at the time. But we just let them do it and only formally protested iirc. We still decided not to go to war.

So yeah, no advantages in joining the war, regardless of side.And no one thought we were strategically important to invade. Plus, once we let the US get a base in the Azores it means the Allies could refuel there and not need to annex our territory. Just like the Axis wouldn't now try to invade us if they wanted to because there was an enemy base close to continental Portugal.

The reasons for Ireland’s neutrality were a combination of factors too.

- It was considered proof of independence.

- It was the best option of a small country to avoid quarrels with the big powers.

- It was the least controversial policy, as Irish people were divided between being pro-British and anti-British.

Interesting fact: “Operation Green”, a German invasion of Ireland, was planned, but it was never put into action.

Operation Green had it been put into action, would of drag Ireland into the war, It seem looking into this it was more of a naval issue vs Britain in regards if Germany would go though it with or not, since the sea in WWII seem to be the Achilles Heel of Germany, Hench why the Royal navy stop any support troops from land during the bombing of London, and Grand Admiral Erich Raeder was not sure it could be done with out a strong navy. Yeah Germany had strong ground troops, and the U Boats were a terror, but they lack a "Army" kinda of navy if that makes sense.