Second World War Overview

Introduction

• Largest and most destructive war in history.
• Involved every continent, including Antarctica.
• Fought in various terrains and with new technologies: trenches, sea, air, space, and nuclear weapons.
• Shifted global powers: decline of European empires, the rise of USA and Soviet Union.
• Impact on Asia: led to Chinese Communist Party's rise, partition of Korea, India's independence.

Causes and Early Stages

Causes

• Driven by the desire for empire, territory, power, wealth, and resources.
• Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan.
  • Germany expanded in Europe.
  • Japan in northern China.
  • Italy in Africa.
• Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941 brought the USA into the war.

When Did it Start?

• Varied perspectives on start:
  • 1937: Japan-China conflict.
  • 1939: German invasion of Poland.
  • 1941: USA enters after Pearl Harbor.

Major Events by Year

1939

• Germany invades Poland; war declared by Britain and France.
• German and Soviet division of Poland.
• Battle of the Atlantic begins.

1940

• Invasion of Norway and Denmark by Germany.
• Fall of France; Dunkirk evacuation; Winston Churchill becomes British PM.
• Battle of Britain: RAF defends against German air assault.

1941

• Axis advances in North Africa and Southeast Europe.
• Germany invades Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa).
• Japan attacks Pearl Harbor; USA enters the war.

1942

• Axis expansion; decisive battles.
• Midway: Turning point in the Pacific.
• El Alamein: Turning point in Africa.
• Stalingrad battle begins.

1943

• Allied advances; Axis retreats.
• German defeat at Stalingrad.
• Invasion of Sicily; Italy surrenders.

1944

• D-Day: Allied invasion of Normandy.
• Liberation of Paris.
• Soviet advances into Eastern Europe.

1945

• Allied advances in Europe and Asia; Germany surrenders.
• Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• Japan surrenders, ending the war.

Consequences and Aftermath

• European power shift: Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe.
• Division of Germany and Korea.
• Emergence of USA as a superpower.
• Decolonization movements in Asia, Africa.
• Establishment of the United Nations.

Legacy

• World War II's legacy continues to shape global politics and alliances.
• Rise and fall of empires, emergence of new political ideologies, and technological advancements.

Conclusion

• The world remains influenced by the events and outcomes of World War II.
• Transformations led to a new geopolitical landscape.