World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a global conflict that lasted from September 1, 1939, to September 2, 1945. It involved two major coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. The war began when Nazi Germany, under Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland, prompting Britain and France to declare war on Germany. This war is the deadliest in history, with an estimated 70 to 85 million deaths, including millions of civilians who died due to genocide, massacres, starvation, and disease.
Causes and Outbreak
The causes of World War II included unresolved tensions from World War I, the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of fascism in Europe, and militarism in Japan. Key events leading to the war included Japan's invasion of Manchuria in 1931, Germany's annexations in Europe, and the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact. The invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, is generally recognized as the official start of the conflict.
Major Participants
Axis powers primarily included Germany, Italy, and Japan. The Allies consisted mainly of the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States, France, and to a lesser extent, China. The United States entered the war after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
Key Events
- The war on the Eastern Front began with Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941.
- Major battles included the Battle of Britain, Battle of Stalingrad, and the Pacific island-hopping campaign.
- The Holocaust, a genocide primarily targeting Jews, resulted in millions of deaths.
- The war in Europe ended in May 1945 after the fall of Berlin and Hitler's suicide.
- The Pacific war ended after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
Aftermath
The war resulted in significant geopolitical changes, including the occupation of Germany, Austria, Japan, and Korea. The Allied powers tried German and Japanese leaders for war crimes. The human cost was immense, and the war helped reshape the world order post-1945.
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