Evaluate the reasons for the defeat of the Axis powers in Europe in the Second World War.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the significance of a number of reasons why, by 1945, the Axis powers had been defeated. Candidates may wish to adopt a chronological approach that deals with key issues as they occurred—particularly key military battles (Stalingrad, El Alamein, the battle of the Atlantic or D-Day). They may take a thematic approach, or they may deal with Italy and Germany separately. Factors may include the issue of effective military leadership (both Hitler and Mussolini interfered with key military decisions) and their relative strength (Italy was weak economically and militarily and Germany was obliged to support her, thus overstretching her own resources). Neither could sustain a long war whereas the Allies had the economic resources of the US and the numerical resources of the US and the Soviet Union. The Allies were also able to rely more on the willingness of the civilian population to make sacrifices for the war effort.