I am sure that there have been numerous threads related to this subject, probably more specific (such as "WI: WWII began in 1938"), but I decided to ask this here in any case. The tensions that began the Second World War did not materialize in 1939 or 1941, but a few different decisions by Hitler, the Japanese, and the European powers could have easily changed history.
- If World War Two began earlier in Europe, would it go worse for the Allies or Germany? Who needed the extra time to re-arm more?
- If World War Two began later in Europe, would Germany or the Allies have re-armed more? When would the German economy have begun to run into severe problems?
-If Germany invaded the Soviet Union earlier, would the USSR be weaker due to having less time to recover from Stalin's purges?
-In the same vein, would a later invasion of the USSR result in a weaker Soviet Union, or would it give Germany more time to prepare for a better attack?
-If Japan and the United States came into conflict earlier or later, would the United States have an easier or more difficult time in defeating Japan? Earlier I can see the US having recovered from the Depression less and be marginally less capable for fighting.
Of course, I suppose that answers to any of these could be that it would not really matter, and the war would go approximately the same as OTL.
- If World War Two began earlier in Europe, would it go worse for the Allies or Germany? Who needed the extra time to re-arm more?
- If World War Two began later in Europe, would Germany or the Allies have re-armed more? When would the German economy have begun to run into severe problems?
-If Germany invaded the Soviet Union earlier, would the USSR be weaker due to having less time to recover from Stalin's purges?
-In the same vein, would a later invasion of the USSR result in a weaker Soviet Union, or would it give Germany more time to prepare for a better attack?
-If Japan and the United States came into conflict earlier or later, would the United States have an easier or more difficult time in defeating Japan? Earlier I can see the US having recovered from the Depression less and be marginally less capable for fighting.
Of course, I suppose that answers to any of these could be that it would not really matter, and the war would go approximately the same as OTL.