Overview
This lecture covers the causes, major events, and consequences of World War II, including the rise of Nazi Germany, key battles, the Holocaust, and the emergence of the Cold War.
Causes and Outbreak of World War II
- The First World War left Germany blamed, weakened, and in economic hardship.
- The Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, gained power by promising to restore Germany’s greatness and territory.
- Nazi ideology was anti-democratic, racist, and nationalistic, seeking a larger “Greater Germany.”
- Germany began expansion by annexing Austria and Czechoslovakia before attacking Poland in 1939.
- Britain and France declared war on Germany after the attack on Poland, starting WWII.
Major Axis and Allied Powers
- The Axis Powers included Germany (Nazi), Italy (Fascist), and Japan (military dictatorship).
- The Allied Powers included Britain, France, the Soviet Union, the USA, and others.
- Most of Europe and many countries worldwide were involved or affected.
Early German Success and Blitzkrieg
- Germany used “blitzkrieg” (lightning war) tactics for rapid invasions (Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Greece, Yugoslavia).
- Only Great Britain and the Soviet Union remained unoccupied in Europe by 1941.
The Soviet Union and the Midsummer Crisis
- Germany and the Soviet Union had signed a non-aggression pact, planning to split Poland.
- In June 1941, Germany broke the pact and invaded the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa).
- Neutral Sweden allowed German troop transport to Finland, fearing occupation.
Turning Points and the Entry of the USA
- Operation Barbarossa stalled due to the Soviet Union’s size and harsh winter.
- In December 1941, Japan attacked the US at Pearl Harbor, leading the USA to join the war.
- The Allied powers strengthened with US involvement.
Final Phase and German Defeat
- D-Day (June 6, 1944) saw Allied forces land in France, opening a western front.
- The Soviets advanced from the east; Germany was forced to fight on two fronts.
- Hitler committed suicide in April 1945 as Berlin fell; Germany surrendered in May 1945.
The End in the Pacific and Atomic Bombs
- Japan continued to resist until the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
- Japan surrendered, ending World War II.
The Holocaust and Aftermath
- The Holocaust was the genocide of Jews and other groups by Nazi Germany.
- The term “genocide” was introduced after the war to describe these crimes.
- Leading Nazis were tried, though not all were punished.
- Post-war, Germany was divided into East and West, and the Cold War began.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Blitzkrieg — A fast, intense military attack strategy (“lightning war”) used by Germany.
- Axis Powers — The alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan during WWII.
- Allied Powers — Countries opposing the Axis, including Britain, France, the USSR, and the USA.
- Operation Barbarossa — The German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941.
- Holocaust — The systematic genocide of Jews and other groups by Nazi Germany.
- Genocide — The deliberate extermination of a national, racial, or religious group.
- D-Day — Allied invasion of Normandy (France) on June 6, 1944.
- Cold War — The post-WWII geopolitical tension between the USA and the Soviet Union.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect on how WWII shaped the modern world and consider the consequences had Nazi Germany not been defeated.