Analysis of World War II: Sources and Historical Significance

This essay examines World War II, a pivotal event in history, analyzing both primary and secondary sources to understand its impact. The essay explores the devastating consequences of the war, the involvement of various nations, and the unique nature of the conflict. Primary sources include research papers highlighting the war's destruction and the role of Canada, particularly its defense of the British Isles and participation in liberation efforts. Secondary sources, such as a YouTube video featuring a German soldier's experience, provide additional perspectives, though they may lack a comprehensive view of Canada's contributions. The essay concludes that World War II was a defining moment for Canada, transforming it into a key player in the 20th century's struggles, although its significance was arguably less than that of World War I. The essay references works by Michael Walzer and Harry Withers, alongside a YouTube video, to support its analysis.

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World War II
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World War II
Introduction
The World War II is known as one of the most destructive incidents in the history. It was
mainly the global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and it also consisted of the strongest
countries with most prominent and powerful powers and individuals. Furthermore, it is also
known as one of the most deadly wars in the entire history and it consisted of more than 30
countries. It was mainly started with the 1939 Nazi Invasion in the Poland and then the war
was dragged which took a bad and destructive shape. However, this particular essay will be
analysing primary and secondary sources in this particular topic.
Body
Primary sources
Source 1
The writer highlighted the fact that World War II is one of the most deadly wars in the entire
history and I also agree with this statement as it destroyed a lot of lives as well as other things
that took a lot of years to recover1. On the other hand, it has been also argued that the
highlights of that period are not only vital historical data but some of the opportunities for an
appraisal of the previous time for the conjectures for the upcoming years. The document is
the research paper and the source is trying to argue that the World War II has been
devastating effects on the people and the writer also argued that although the war took place
between Germany and Japan but other nations were also involved.
1 Withers, Harry. Summary of World War II. Southwest Review (2010): 101-107

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The passage is mainly written by Harry C. Withers and the writer has a strong relationship
with the subject matter. Yes, it is a credible source. This source tries to inform us about what
exactly happened in the World War II mainly the summary of the war. It informed that this
particular war in the Canadian history plays an important role as Canada’s place in the world
is much bigger than it was before due to this war. However, the war mainly took place
because Germany and Japan wanted something important that belonged mainly to the other
countries. Canada’s role in the World War II was quite vital I personally feel as the country’s
role became one of the defences with regards to the British Isles. On the other hand, it can be
also argued that there was also small force of Canadian Force that arrived in the Hong Kong
for meeting the Japanese invasion and they also fought well with the Hong Kong, Indian, as
well as the British forces in defence of the colony. It can be also argued that there were some
of the Canadian Units that played important role in the liberation in terms of the Netherlands
while there were other countries that went for participating in the Battle of Germany.
Source 2
The World War II as per the writer was quite different from the other wars that took place till
date. The war was mainly against Nazi Germany in the case of extreme.
This is the document that is article and source is also trying to argue that this war was
different as per the writer most of the wars only involved bloodshed, soldiers and destroying
everything but this war was even more than this. From the personal point of view it can be
argued that this war was different as lot of countries and powers were involved in this as it
not only destroyed property or killed people but also cause some of the far-reaching
alterations than any other war in history.
Canada played an important role in this specific war as per my knowledge it can be argued
that it entered the war as per their free will and then the country realized that the Nazi

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Germany threatened the western civilization existence. From the beginning only Canadians
were quite determined in terms of fighting the war. There were more than 60 million people
who lost their lives in this war and it is due to the economic and political instability in the
Germany. Furthermore, it can be also said that it was the war of ideologies such as
Communism and Fascism2. This particular document also highlighted that Canada left
footprints in this war to a great extent and through the source we also come to know about the
particular aspect of the Canadian history that is how boldly Canadians stood up in the war.
Throwing light on the above-mentioned discussion it can be also claimed that the place of
Canada in the world is much bigger due to this war. However, it was not at all big power still
they were considered to be a country of middle powers and Canada afterwards also played
vital part in the affairs of the world.
Secondary sources
For the secondary sources I have considered video from YouTube.
The document is video and clearly depicts the horrors of the German soldier in the war. The
German soldier said that he was captured 3 times but he escaped three times. However, when
I studied history more minutely it was found out that there were a lot of soldiers who were
captured and they were not lucky enough to escape so it took their life immediately either
they were killed by the opponents or they were left dying without food and water.
It can be also argued that the Russians were quite powerful in the war as they had brand new
arms and ammunition that would kill anything in their way. German soldiers were excellent
and no one in the world can deny their skills and power. On the other hand, Canada in this
specific war suffered with a lot of causalities and it took place both in the merchant marine as
2 Walzer, Michael. "World War II: why was this war different?." Philosophy & Public
Affairs (1971): 3-21.

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well as the naval service. However, this particular video highlighted the German soldier’s
experience in the war but it failed to showcase the fact that Canada helped Britain in the war
by providing them with necessary cash as well as food, consisting of the Soviet Union and it
also contributed towards the all total war effort. A lot of people does not knows the fact that
Canada not only played a vital role in the World War II but this country also played
important role in the World War I however, the country had a much more long lasting effect
on the society of Canada3.
Conclusion
From the primary and the secondary sources the knowledge can be gathered that this
particular war was quite a defining event for the entire history of Canada, transforming it
from a quiet country towards one of the most critical player in the struggle of the 20th century.
Still it can be argued that the significance of the World War II in the entire Canadian history
was excellent still it was less than the World War I. Furthermore, Canadian Force that arrived
in the Hong Kong for meeting the Japanese invasion and them also fought well with the Hong
Kong, Indian, as well as the British forces in defence of the colony. It can be also argued that
there were some of the Canadian Units that played important role in the liberation in terms of
the Netherlands while there were other countries that went for participating in the Battle of
Germany.
Works Cited
“German Soldier Speaks About World War 2” YouTube Video, 5:23, Terranitup.
3 “German Soldier Speaks About World War 2” YouTube Video, 5:23, Terranitup.

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Walzer, Michael. "World War II: why was this war different?." Philosophy & Public
Affairs (1971): 3-21.
Withers, Harry. Summary of World War II. Southwest Review (2010): 101-107