World War II Overview

Introduction

• World War II was not the "war to end all wars" as WWI was hoped to be.
• There were two main theaters of World War II:
  • European Theater
  • Pacific Theater
• War began in the Pacific Theater before spreading to Europe.

Pacific Theater

• Japan emerged as a dominant force in the Eastern World.
  • Fueled by aggressive expansionism since the late 19th century.
  • Victories against China and Russia, expansion into Southeast Asia.
• 1937: War in the Pacific began with the conflict between Chinese and Japanese forces over Manchuria.

European Theater

• 1939: Triggered by Hitler's invasion of Poland.
  • Led to Britain and France declaring war on Germany.
• The Axis Powers included:
  • Germany, Italy, Japan
• The Allied Powers included:
  • Britain, France, Soviet Union (later joined by the USA)
• Blitzkrieg Tactics:
  • Fast and powerful attacks combining air power, tanks, and ground troops.
  • Successfully used to conquer Poland, Yugoslavia, Greece, and France.

Key Events

• 1941: Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union.
  • Operation Barbarossa sought natural resources.
  • Initial victories turned to stalemates, notably the Siege of Stalingrad.
• Battle of Britain:
  • Britain stood as the sole Western opposition under Winston Churchill.
  • Bombing campaigns intended to demoralize failed due to strong resistance.

United States Involvement

• Initially isolationist post-WWI.
• Supported Britain through Cash and Carry program and Destroyers for Bases agreement.
• 1941: Pearl Harbor attack by Japan led to U.S. declaring war on Japan.
  • Germany declared war on the U.S.

Turning Points

• D-Day (June 6, 1944):
  • Largest amphibious invasion in history, led by British and American forces in Normandy.
  • Successful liberation of France.
• Pacific Theater:
  • Battle of Midway as a turning point.
  • Island-hopping campaigns cut Japanese supply lines.

End of War

• VE Day (May 7, 1945): German surrender in Europe.
• VJ Day: Japan's surrender after atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

New Technology

• Incendiary Bombs:
  • Caused massive fires and destruction.
  • Firebombing of Tokyo and Dresden with significant casualties.
• Atomic Bomb:
  • New devastating weapon resulting in massive destruction.
  • Led to Japan's surrender.

Conclusion

• World War II saw unprecedented death tolls and destruction.
• Post-war introduction of nuclear weapons foreshadowed future conflicts.

Further Study

• Review materials for AP European History exams are available for deeper understanding and preparation.