World War Two Timeline

World War II was the largest and deadliest global military conflict in history. It began in 1939 with Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland and lasted until the Axis powers’ surrender in 1945. The war engulfed Europe and Asia across bloody campaigns that resulted in an estimated 60 million deaths, including the systematic murder of 6 million Jews in the Holocaust. This article covers World War II, a massive and devastating global conflict from 1939 to 1945. It explores its causes, key events, impacts on nations, and the aftermath.

World War II

World War II began in 1939 and lasted until 1945. Sparked by Adolf Hitler’s invasion of Poland, the war engulfed Europe and Asia with bloody campaigns. Over 60 million military and civilian lives perished, including 6 million Jews systematically murdered in the Holocaust.

The Allies, led by Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union, emerged victorious over the Axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan. Technological innovations that enhanced the scale of warfare ranged from rockets to radars to the advent of nuclear weapons.

Several key events and factors led to the start of the war:

• Rise of Fascist Dictators: In the 1930s, authoritarian and militaristic regimes took power in Germany, Italy, and Japan. Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933 and swiftly dismantled the Treaty of Versailles and began building up Germany’s military in violation of the treaty.
• Failure of Appeasement: Britain and France attempted to appease Hitler by allowing his early aggressions, such as the re-militarization of the Rhineland in 1936. This emboldened Hitler and showed weakness on the part of the Allies. The policy of appeasement failed when Germany invaded Poland in 1939.
• Japanese Expansionism: Japan had begun occupying territory in Asia in the 1930s, including Manchuria and parts of China. This expansionism brought it into conflict with the Western powers.
• The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939): The civil war in Spain resulted in the victory of the fascists led by Francisco Franco. This was aided by Hitler and Mussolini, allowing them to test their military tactics and equipment.
• The Invasion of Poland: On September 1st, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, finally causing Britain and France to declare war and begin World War II. Poland’s geographic position put it on the path of German eastward expansion and conquest.

Beginning of World War II

The origins of World War II can be traced to the rise of authoritarian and militaristic regimes in Germany, Italy, and Japan in the 1930s. Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933, swiftly rearmed the country, and began violating the Treaty of Versailles by remilitarizing the Rhineland in 1936.

Britain and France attempted to appease Hitler through concessions such as allowing the annexation of Austria in 1938. However, appeasement failed when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. This finally provoked Britain and France to declare war on Germany, marking the start of World War II in Europe.

In the Pacific, Japan had been occupying territory in Asia since the 1931 invasion of Manchuria. Seeking natural resources and empire, Japan’s expansionism led to a full-scale war against China by 1937 and increasing confrontation with Western powers like the United States.

The Spanish Civil War from 1936-1939 allowed Hitler and Mussolini to aid the fascists led by Franco, enabling them to test military tactics and equipment. By 1939, the stage was set for global war as aggressive dictatorships dismantled the post-WWI order. Germany’s invasion of Poland was the trigger that set off World War II.

Expansion of the Conflict

After invading Poland in 1939, Germany quickly conquered much of Europe including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and parts of the Soviet Union. Italy and Japan joined the German side, eager to build their empires.

The war rapidly expanded from a regional conflict to a global one. Japan attacked British and Dutch colonies in Southeast Asia for their resources and began pushing into the Pacific islands. In December 1941, Japan infamously attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, bringing America into the war.

By 1942, the major Allied powers of Britain, the United States, China, and the Soviet Union were pitted against the Axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan. Fighting engulfed both the European and Pacific theaters as well as North Africa, the Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia. Millions of troops battled from the Atlantic to the remote islands of the Pacific.

The expanding scope of combat ultimately included around 100 million military personnel from over 30 countries. It was total war, with the mobilization of entire societies for the war effort both on the home fronts and the widespread bombing of cities.

The Tide Turns Against the Axis

1942-1943 marked a crucial turning point in World War II when the tide began shifting against the Axis powers. Some key events:

• Soviet forces won the bloody Battle of Stalingrad in early 1943, halting the German advance in the East. This was Germany’s first major defeat.
• In North Africa, the British pushed Axis troops out of Egypt and Libya after winning the Second Battle of El Alamein in late 1942.
• The British victory over the Germans at El Alamein was soon followed by the Allied landings in Morocco and Algeria in November 1942, putting further pressure on the Axis.
• In the Pacific, the decisive American naval victory over Japan at the Battle of Midway in June 1942 ended Japan’s expansion and put the Allies on the offensive.
• By 1943, the massive Soviet Red Army had gained the upper hand against Germany in the East, while American war production and military strength was growing enormously.
• Allied strategic bombing campaigns were relentlessly pounding Germany’s infrastructure and industrial cities. Germany and Japan could not sustain the damage, resource losses, or casualties.
• Italy was knocked out of the war in 1943 after the Allied invasion of Sicily, and Mussolini lost power. This weakened the Axis bloc.

End of World War II and Aftermath

World War II came to an end in 1945, leaving behind unimaginable destruction and loss of life. The Allied powers began the enormous task of rebuilding wartorn nations and reshaping the post-war world order.

Key aftermath points:

• Germany and Berlin were divided into occupation zones controlled by the Allied nations.
• Numerous war crime tribunals were set up to prosecute Axis leaders for crimes against humanity, most notably the Nuremberg trials.
• Europe was economically devastated and needed extensive rebuilding. The Marshall Plan provided aid to help Western European countries recover.
• Germany was formally split into East and West Germany in 1949 due to rising Cold War tensions.
• Millions of displaced people migrated across Europe, with forced population transfers in Eastern Europe.
• The United Nations was established in 1945 to promote cooperation and prevent future global conflict.
• Decline of European imperialism as colonies in Asia and Africa began independence movements.
• Economic resurgence in the US and allies with the expansion of consumerism, while Europe continued rationing.
• Emergence of two superpowers – USA and Soviet Union – setting the stage for Cold War competition.
• Europe was divided into Western liberal democracies and Eastern communist Soviet bloc states.
• Development of nuclear weapons technology by the superpowers and arms race tensions.

Reasons behind Second World War

1. Treaty of Versailles – The harsh treaty imposed on Germany after WWI caused resentment. Loss of territory and reparations led to economic problems in Germany.

2. Rise of fascist dictators – Leaders like Hitler, Mussolini, and Tojo rose to power and aggressively pursued nationalist expansionist policies. Their ideologies led to conflict.

3. Failure of appeasement – Allowing Hitler’s demands at Munich in 1938 encouraged his invasion of Czechoslovakia. Appeasement was seen as a weakness by Hitler.

4. German expansionism – Hitler’s desire for ‘lebensraum’ or living space drove his invasions of nearby countries and violation of treaties. Remilitarization of the Rhineland, annexation of Austria, and invasion of Poland demonstrated this aggression.

5. Imperial Japan’s expansion in Asia – Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 and China in 1937 to build its empire and gain access to natural resources. This brought conflict with the US.

6. Arms race and militarization – Competition among nations to continuously upgrade their military might and weapons technology created an environment conducive to war.

7. Alliance systems – Dividing Europe into two hostile blocks – Allies and Axis powers – increased tensions and made war more likely as countries were bound to protect their allies.

8. Economic factors – The Great Depression led countries like Germany and Japan to adopt aggressive economic policies that led to expansionist tendencies.

Course of event

Event	Duration	Description
Operation Junee 1941–December 1 Germany invaded the Soviet Union, breaking the Nazi-Soviet pact. The Soviet Union joined the Allies.
German Invasion of Poland	September 1, 1939Germany invaded Poland, marking the start of WWII in Europe. Britain and France declared war on Germany.
Fall of France	May-June 1940 Germany invaded France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. France surrendered in June.
Battle of Britain
T of Pearl Harbor .	December 7, 1941,	Japanese forces attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor. The US entered the war.
Battle of Midway Junene 1942	Major naval battle in the Pacific where the US defeated Japan, turning the tide in the Pacific theater of Stalingrad
August 1942–February 1943	Soviet Union defeated Germany in a major battle, leading to Germany’s first big defeat.
D-Day Landings	June 6, 1944	Allies launched a massive amphibious landing operation in Normandy, France opening the Western front.
Atomic bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki	August 6 and 9, 1945	The US dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities forcing Japan’s unconditional surrender.
Victory over Japan On August 15, 1945	Japan accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, signaling the end of WWII.

Impact

World War II had an enormous impact globally economically, geopolitically, and from a human suffering perspective. Here are some of the major effects and consequences of the war:

Economic Impact:

Countries like Britain, France, Germany, Japan, and the Soviet Union had much of their industrial and city infrastructure destroyed by combat. This set their economic recoveries back for years.

However, the war was also an economic boon for some countries such as the United States, which saw GDP rise significantly through producing wartime goods and materials. U.S. economic power increased.

Geopolitical Impact:

The Soviet Union emerged as a global superpower rivaling Britain and the U.S. This set up Cold War tensions following WWII between communist and capitalist countries.

Colonized nations in Asia and Africa also started gaining independence after the way European powers were weakened and strained.

Human and Societal Impact:

Over 60 million people died as a result of the war, including tens of millions of civilians as well as servicemen and women.

The persecution of Jews and other minority populations through genocide, labor camps, and war crimes resulted in tremendous human suffering, with 6 million Jews killed.

Cities from Dresden and Tokyo to London, Stalingrad, and Hiroshima saw large-scale destruction from aerial bombings and sieges.

Displacement of people through conflict or policies was common, generating huge refugee crises

So in almost every sphere – economic, political, and human – WWII had devastating immediate effects that permanently altered global geopolitics and national developments for future generations as countries recovered post-war.

Significance

It changed maps and borders – Many new countries were created, and big powerful ones like Germany shrank. The Soviet Union and the United States emerged as new superpowers.

It brought huge destruction – From massive bloodshed and city bombings to genocide and the first nuclear weapons. The scale of death and horror motivated world peace efforts after.

It led to organizations for peace – Groups like the United Nations were developed to promote cooperation between nations and try to prevent future global wars.

It made technology much more advanced & dangerous – From rockets to radar to aircraft carriers, many key innovations remain military assets now. And nuclear bombs pose a threat still haunting global politics today.

It ended the age of European domination – Before WWII, Britain ruled 25% of the world! After, nearly all its colonies gained independence. Europe declined while U.S. and Soviet imperialism rose.

World War II transformed international relations and global ideology in many ways still felt today. It brought devastation showing world wars must be avoided, while rocketing technology to frightening new levels. Simply put, the post-WWII shape of the modern earth emerged from the ashes of this iconic conflict.

Conclusion

World War II was the largest and deadliest war in history, fueled by authoritarian regimes expanding territories, ineffective appeasement policies, and advances in military technology. It resulted in widespread destruction across Europe and Asia from 1939-1945, reshaped global superpowers and borders after ending Nazi Germany and imperialist Japan, and led to over 60 million deaths including genocide victims.

FAQs- World War Two

What led to the WW II?

Harsh Treaty of Versailles, the rise of fascist dictators, the failure of appeasement, imperialist expansionism, militarization, alliance systems, and economic issues like the Great Depression.

Key Leaders of WW II?

Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Emperor Hirohito, Franklin Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle

What was the impact of WW II?

60+ million deaths, emergence of superpowers USA and USSR, formation of UN, economic devastation, end of Nazism and Japanese imperialism, nuclear weapons, end of colonialism.

Which countries were a part of WW II?

Major countries were the Allies (Britain, France, USA, USSR) and the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan).

What was the result of WW II?

Allied victory, the collapse of fascist powers Germany, Italy, and Japan, the division of Europe, the Cold War between West and East, the emergence of superpowers with nuclear weapons, and the establishment of post-war institutions like the UN.