Date: November 28, 2023 

Throughout this blog, we have explored a variety of wars, ranging from conflicts fought over small strips of land to those driven by the desire for religious dominance. Among these wars, none are quite like the next. World War II, recognized not only as the largest conflict in civilization’s history but also as the deadliest, stands out as a unique and unparalleled event. This post, diverging from the common knowledge about the war, will specifically focus on the Tehran Conference. This leads me to…. 

On this day 80 years ago, The Tehran Conference began.  

Before we begin, it is important to highlight two points. Initially, when the war began, Josef Stalin, the Soviet Premier of the Soviet Union, formed an alliance with Adolf Hitler, creating a formidable partnership between the nations. Furthermore, the Axis Powers comprised the Soviet Union, Germany, Japan, and Italy. However, in the summer of 1941, Hitler betrayed Stalin by invading the Soviet Union, prompting Stalin to switch sides and join the Allied Powers which included France, the United States, and Great Britain. Due to Stalin’s previous alliance with Hitler and his highly autocratic rule, the Allied Powers initially did not trust Stalin or his intentions. The Tehran Conference marked a significant moment as it was the first major wartime conferences where the Allied Powers invited Stalin, signifying a step towards him earning their trust.  

The Tehran conference was the first wartime conference which all three members of the Big Three attended: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin.  

During the conference, the three leaders collaborated on coordinating their military strategies against the Germany military, a military which had yet to suffer a major defeat. The conference had two primary focuses. The first focus was to make decisions regarding the upcoming military phases against the Axis Powers in both Europe and Asia, where all three sides were equally engaged on the battlefield. The second focus centered around the opening of a “second front” in Western Europe. Before the conference, Germany had been dominating the Eastern Front in their battles with France and Great Britian. The Allied Powers hoped that in opening the second front,Germany’s resources would be stretched thin, making it challenging for them to handle intense fighting on both sides. Stalin agreed to the second front, which would lie between the Soviet Union and Germany, further underlining a major milestone in the relationship among the three countries.  

“The major result of the conference was the decision to go ahead with the cross-channel invasion of Europe – Operation Overlord,” known to most as D-Day (“World War II”). This invasion of northern France by the Western Allies ultimately altered the trajectory of the war and stands as one of the most significant victories of the Western Allies.  

Ultimately, the Tehran Conference remains one of the most notable wartime conferences held by the Allied Powers. It set the military stage for the upcoming months and marked a milestone of agreement and cooperation across the three nations.  

Source

“World War II Conferences.” Franklin D. Roosevelt and World War II, ww.fdrlibrary.marist.edu.

Date: November 17th, 2023 

The time has finally arrived to discuss one of Europe’s greatest monarchs, Queen Elizabeth I. She single-handedly brought her nation from an era of chaos and crisis to an era of prosperity, all while facing doubts about her abilities due to her gender. This leads me to…. 

On this day 465 years ago, Elizabeth I was crowned Queen of England. 

Upon the death of her “sister,” Bloody Mary, in 1558, the throne passed to Elizabeth. Her sister’s reign, marked by the persecution of Protestants, left the English public deeply mistrustful of the monarch and fraught with tensions over the nation’s religious affiliation. Thus, the future of the Church of England and the publics’ trust in the monarchy rested in Elizabeth’s hands. Recognizing the costly effects of harsh rule, Elizabeth committed herself to ruling with respect rather than fear.  

On top of religions issues within England and threats from powerful neighboring nations, Queen Elizabeth I also grabbled with the insurmountable difficulties that came with being a woman at the time. “Since her sister’s reign did not provide a satisfactory model for female authority, Elizabeth had to improvise a new model, one that would overcome the considerable cultural liability of her sex” (“Accession of Elizabeth”). Not only was Elizabeth a female monarch, but she also lacked a husband. She refused to marry, stating that she had neither the intention nor desire to do so, knowing that marriage would quickly strip her of her power and authority over the state.  

Beginning in 1559, she proceeded cautiously, gradually implementing a series of reforms known as the  Elizabethan Settlement. Within this settlement, she struck a middle ground by respecting both Catholics and Protestants, a balance previously unattained by any European ruler. The Church of England retained many of the Catholic ceremonies and rituals, however, she reaffirmed that the monarch served as the head of the Church. Most notably, the Act of Supremacy established Elizabeth as the supreme governor of the Church of England, requiring all clergy member and royal officials to swear an oath to obey her authority over the Pope’s. This act largely repealed the anti-Protestant legislation put in place by her sister. The Elizabethan Settlement allowed for freedom of religion within Catholicism and Protestantism, without any threat of prosecution. As she sought this compromise and defended it to the Church, the public gradually restored their respect and trust in the monarchy.  

In 1563, Elizabeth issued the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, officially establishing Protestantism as the official religion of the Church of England. In doing so, she brought religious peace to England for the first time in decades.

Ultimately, Elizabeth I remains as one of the greatest monarchs of all time due to her intelligence, political savvy, and determination. The defeat of the Spanish Armada, a fleet of Spanish ships attempting to overthrow Queen Elizabeth, stands as one of England’s most significant military achievements, entirely executed under her leadership.She brought political, economic, and religious stability to England, reestablishing her nation as a superpower and a force to be reckoned with.  

Greenblatt, Stephen J. “Accession of Elizabeth I.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/biography/Elizabeth-I/Accession. Accessed 8 Nov. 2023.