Why and How did Countries Maintain their Neutrality during World War II - Research Paper Example

Why and how did countries maintain their neutrality during World War II? Table of Contents Introduction 3 Analysis 3 Evaluation 7 Conclusion 9 Bibliography 11 Introduction In the history of mankind, World War II is regarded as the most violent armed conflict in the twentieth century. The war was involved between all of the big countries around the world. WorldWar II resulted in to millions of death and suffering. Adolf Hitler was the person who was thought to be the person who started World War II. During the World War II many of the countries remained neutrals. Some of the countries who took no official side during the war had great economic power and large colonies. Neutral countries stayed between the conflicting forces. Some of the neutral countries during the war were Spain, Ireland, Turkey and Sweden. Despite being the neutral powers, several countries had to suffer from invasion. Most of the declared neutral countries have been attacked by either Soviet Union or Axis powers. Neutrality means to not part in any dispute or war to avoid for getting attack during World War II. There are varying kinds of neutrality such as partial, perpetual, armed, benevolent and conditional neutrality. This research paper will analyze and discuss about the necessity and adaptation of neutrality by countries during World War II. Analysis Neutrality practiced by nations to avoid any involvement in any international affairs and avoid being attacked by Axis and Allied powers. Neutral countries such as Spain, Ireland, Sweden and Portugal were economically stable countries. Neutral countries took no official side during World War II. Neutrality also helps to avoid form any kind of aerial attacks. Neutrality can be of various types. Perpetual neutrality is the application of special treaty which aids country to neutralize permanently. Armed neutrality is the treaty created to maintain neutrality status of country by military measures. Partial neutrality is the treaty which can only cover some part of territory in states or can cover entire state. The pivotal element for neutrality is trade-offs. For every neutral country it is very useful for using trade routes, usage of ports, sales of vital natural resources. During World War II many countries opted to remain neutral. But few of them remained neutrality due to the invasion of Germans. United States despite being neutral country was helping France and Britain. This step implemented by United States created huge conspiracy and made Adolf Hitler heated and forced to war. Countries which adopted neutralities during World War II are Turkey, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and Ireland1. Ireland was neutral during the World War II because fears of being get attacked by other economically stable countries. The adaptation of neutrality makes country safer from attacks of other countries. Credit must be given to Ireland because despite being one of the neutral countries very little is written about the neutrality of Ireland. Ireland took stand to become neutral country like that of other five countries but the it is different in some extent as it not fully collaborated with the Nazi Germany. In the year 1921, the introduction of Anglo-Irish treaty was in for the neutrality of Ireland. This is mainly due to the fact that is helped Ireland to be independent from Great Britain. The prime minister of Ireland Eamonn De Valera was in full motion towards neutrality and full sovereignly from the clutches of Great Britain. Foreign policy was adopted after independence from Great Britain. Two platforms choose by Ireland for the benefit of country is liberal or neutrality theory and foreign policy. According to Neal G. Jesse, neutrality is implemented by countries to maintain internal dynamics and international norms. The prime minister of Ireland Eamonn De Valera viewed neutrality as to avoid civil war between Northern Ireland and new republic, it can act as a litmus test of sovereignty of country and finally it is viewed as the way to avoid war against European countries. Ireland was not against Great Britain but on the basis of protection of country, Ireland had to keep close at hand on United Sates after entering in to war and Great Britain. It was also found that Great Britain got naval facilitates depending of the Anglo-Irish treaty. Portugal was another country which adopted neutralities for the benefit and protection of country during war. The ruler of Portugal was Dr. Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. Dr. Antonio de Oliveira Salazar was dictator and maintained neutral policy. Despite adaptation of neutral policy, the support of pro-Axis was strong in Portugal. Historically Portugal also has special distinct relationship with Great Britain2. The adoption of neutrality enabled to boost the economy of Portugal. The open trade between Germany and Great Britain helped Portugal to boom its economy during the year 1943. The process of neutrality and open trade was all adopted during World War II. The implantation of this steps helped Portugal to double the private bank assets and surplus trade deficit from 90 million dollar to 68 million dollar. Huge amount of resources such as wolfram ore was pivotal for the economic growth. During World War II, the use of neutrality by Portugal helped to influence economically in natural resources. Spain also maintained it neutrality by not entering in to war which can affect their economy and security of country. Spain offered some support to the Axis. The support was given during the first years of World War II. The leader of Spain was Generalissimo Francisco Franco. The demand initiated by Hitler to let armies of Germany to travel through Spain. But the demands were ruled out by Francisco Franco. Another demand initiated by Hitler was to turn over Jews. This all demands were refused by Franco. The adoption of neutrality by Franco in Spain was to get out of World War II. Francisco Franco joined Hitler but did not get enough power and inducements. Eventually it was due to geography that kept Spain out of the World War II. In the year 1939, Spain was declared as a neutral country. Politically, spiritually and financially Spain was drained due to costly civil war. Civil was over before the World War II. The economic condition, financial institution and infrastructure of Spain were not favorable for taking part in World War II. This was the reason which made Spain a neutral country. Sweden was another few European country that was neutral during World War II. And it was the only Scandinavian country to proclaim neutrality. The application of neutrality by Sweden was in the late 1815. In the late 1940, Finland was invaded by Soviet Union. Sweden declared in late November 1940 as non-belligerent. In the year 1940, Nazi invaded Norway and Denmark. After the war in Denmark and Norway it was expected that Sweden was next to the invaded. But nevertheless, Sweden was not affected by any invasion and no military action took place. The neutrality of Sweden was strained by allowing volunteers of Sweden to help Finland and resupply military equipment to Finland3. Switzerland committed and proclaimed its neutrality. Netherlands could not maintain their neutrality. But Switzerlandwas fully committed to neutrality. In the year 1815, Switzerland dates it neutrality. The pivotal reason behind the success of maintaining neutrality was due to availability of creditable military forces. The forms of neutrality that created positive influence on World War II were vital humanitarian organization. Some of the pivotal humanitarian organizations are the Geneva Convention and Red Cross International Committee. Integral neutrality, economic exchange between the warring parties and availability of armed forces were the factors which save Switzerland from war with the German. Turkey is one of the neutral countries during the time of World War II. In the year 1939, Turkey signed the Tripartite Alliance. The motive of the treaty was to protect the route of the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean. Another reason was to put an end to the German influence on Turkey. The interest of Germany to trade with Turkey was mainly due to the abundance of availability of Chrome ore which is required during the production of armaments. Turkey was forced to undergo neutrality by France and Great Britain. The neutrality of Turkey was maintained to preserve the human and natural resources during the time of World War II. In the year 1939, Mutual Aid pact was signed by Turkey with Britain and France. In the year 1941, Friendship Treaty was signed between Nazi Germany and Turkey. The Treaty was signed before the Nazi invasion to Soviet Union. This is the way by which countries such as Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and Ireland maintained neutrality. Evaluation Countries maintained neutrality to avoid being attacked by Allied or Axis powers. Countries such as Sweden, Portugal, Ireland, Switzerland and Spain are some of the countries that were committed to neutrality. The maintenance of neutrality helped countries to avoid any attack and save natural resources and benefit economic growth of countries. Countries can potentially amassed their soldiers by the implementation of concept of neutrality and defend their nation from the invasion of outsiders4. Countries maintained to become belligerent. The maintenance of belligerent enables countries to defend during the state of attack. The neutral country takes no side during war but can help allied power during war. More than 60 million people died during the course of World War II. This resembles the fact that war is total destruction of countries economy and millions of people lives. This notifies the reason behind the countries try to maintain neutrality during war. Sweden and Switzerland are the two neutral countries that maintained long lasting neutrality way before World War II. Sweden maintained neutrality throughout the World War II. But Swedish army has to volunteer in the winter war.5 High qualities of iron ore are supplied to Germany by Sweden to avoid invasion6. Allies tried their upmost best to force Swedish to join the war. Switzerland was also neutral power. Many military mobilizations and threats prompted by Germans to force Switzerland for war7. Hitler decided against the conflict between Germany and Switzerland as it was waste of resources8. The mountainous terrain and effective military forces of Switzerland may have made difficult invasion for outsiders. The implementation of neutrality enables countries to be safe from other economically and financially stable countries. Turkey also maintained neutrality by providing raw materials to German such as chromate9. Treaty of mutual Assistance was signed by turkey with France and Britain is to maintain economic growth and save their trade routes. Portugal also remained neutralized. The government of Portugal has Axis sympathies. Despite being neutralized Portuguese government secretly supplied tungsten. British were also allowed to establish naval base in Portugal. Some countries had Axis sympathies which made them to supply their important natural resources. It is credit towards the role of Ireland which resulted in to the less discussion about neutral Ireland. The application of neutrality was resembled as the political value. Countries can maintain neutrality by signing a treaty and maintaining friendship with other Allies to get assist during the time of emergency. Countries maintain neutrality to be neutral in future and present wars. Neutral countries are inviolable. Troops and other munitions of war are forbidden by the implementation of neutrality. Conclusion The research paper discussed and analyzed about the importance and necessity for countries to maintain neutrality during World War II. Millions of people lost their life during the time of World War II. It is certain for countries to get rid of mammoth destruction and committed to neutrality. Some of the countries such as Sweden and Switzerland have long lasting relationship with commitment towards neutrality. Many countries implemented during the time of World War II to avoid getting attack by Axis powers. Neutral countries have no power to take any side during the time of war. Many of the neutral countries are economically stable and have significant land holdings. But the fear of getting attacked from other powerful nations enables them to proclaim its neutrality. Some of the neutral powers such as Switzerland, Portugal, and Sweden helped Allied powers such as Great Britain by supplying natural resources and voluntary bridges. Numerous countries were overtake by Nazi Germany regardless of being proclaimed neutrality. This can be determined that countries throughout World War II upheld neutrality due to their geographical location, importance of circumstances and form of persevering the demands of Nazi. Bibliography Jackson, Alvin. The Oxford handbook of Modern Irish History. New York: Oxford University Press, 2014. This text book is all about Irish History. This text book has described about how Ireland has developed strategy and maintained neutrality in order to save themselves from the attacks of other economically developed countries. Judt, Tony. Postwar: A History of Europe since 1945. London: Random House, 2011. In the year 1945 maximum European countries were prostrate. Several countries were devastated by war. Therefore, several European countries bought the concept of neutrality during Second World War in order to save their natural resources. Hansen, James. Storms of My Grandchildren. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2011. This textbook has discussed about how several European countries tried to maintain impartiality in warfare. The application of neutrality by Sweden in the year 1815 and by Finland in the year 1940 helped to save them from outside attacks. In addition to this, the textbook also has discussed about how Sweden has maintained neutrality during the Second World War. Ollila, Mike. “Finland in Crisis: Finnish Relations with the Western Democracies, 1939-1941”. Journal about Finish Foreign Relations 21, no. 3 (2004): 12-14. This particular journal determined how several European countries maintained good relationship with other neighboring countries. In this study it has been identified that how Finland helped Sweden to resupply their weapons. Lindstrom, Garry. “Sweden’s Security Policy”. Journal about neutrality in Second World War 12, no. 1 (2002): 9. Roberts, Perry. “World War 11: The Essential Reference Guide”. Journal about neutrality of Countries during Second World War, 35, no. 3 (1998): 27. This journal has discussed how Germany and Hitler developed strategy to save themselves from outside countries during World War 11. In addition to this, this journal has discussed about how German army got help from Turkey to maintain neutrality. Halbrook, Stephen. “Target Switzerland: Swiss Armed Neutrality in World War 2”. American-Swiss Foundation. Last Modified, 2014. http://www.americanswiss.org/resources_and_publications/target-switzerland-swiss-armed-neutrality-in-world-war-2/. This particular online source demonstrated how Germans provoked several countries to do war unnecessarily and intentionally against neighboring countries during Second World War. Archives. “State Department and Foreign Affairs Records”. National Archives. Last Modified, 2014. http://www.archives.gov/research/holocaust/finding-aid/civilian/rg-84-turkey.html. This online source is all about the maintaining neutrality by Turkey during the Second World War Turkey maintained neutrality by helping several European countries. For example, Turkey supplied Raw materials, such as Chromate to Germany in order to save themselves from outside attacks. The World Economy. “International Trade and Capital Movements”. We the World Economy. Last Modified, 2014. http://www.theworldeconomy.org/advances/advances2.html. This particular source has determined that several types of international trade and capital movements help different countries to achieve economic boom. This particular source has discussed about how the Portuguese economy got effective growth due to the signed open trade policy between Germany and Great Britain. Read More