Did you know about 85 million people died in World War II? It was the most destructive war in history. The Axis powers, with Germany, Italy, and Japan, fought against the Allies. The Allies included big countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union.

World War II is a key event in history. Its effects are still felt today. We will explore how it started, the key battles, and its lasting impact.

Leading Up to World War II: The Aftermath of World War I

World War I left Europe in chaos. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 tried to bring peace but caused more problems. It made Germany pay heavy reparations and led to political and economic issues.

Adolf Hitler became a leader during this time. He used anger towards the Treaty of Versailles to lead the Nazi Party. His book „Mein Kampf” talked about the „Aryan” race and wanting more space for Germans. This idea was against the Versailles Treaty and led to more aggression.

• Adolf Hitler’s rise to power began with his appointment as Chancellor on January 30, 1933.
• The aggressive foreign policy led to the annexation of Austria in 1938 and parts of Czechoslovakia.
• The Western powers, scarred by the Great War, were primarily focused on domestic issues and failed to act decisively against Germany’s militarisation.

„Mein Kampf” set the stage for World War II by talking about Germany’s need for more land. The Nazi Party used propaganda to make people support their goals. Germany ignored the Treaty of Versailles, and the world didn’t stop them. This led to another big war.

This situation of instability and the Treaty of Versailles failure made World War II inevitable. It affected nearly every family around the world. The war changed the world and left a big mark on history.

The Outbreak of World War II in 1939

The World War II commencement began on September 1, 1939, with Germany’s invasion of Poland. This was after Germany and the Soviet Union signed the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact. This pact was a shock to the world. It meant Germany could expand without worrying about the Soviet Union.

When Germany attacked Poland, Great Britain and France stood by their promise to Poland. They declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939. This action officially started World War II, involving countries all over the world until September 2, 1945.

Germany used its Blitzkrieg tactics at first. This meant quick and powerful attacks that quickly took over Poland. This move showed the world what was to come. The early days were quiet on the Western front, but battles were happening at sea.

The Polish invasion set the stage for how the Axis powers fought in Europe. It changed the way war was fought and shaped alliances. The early events showed the world the start of World War II in 1939 was a turning point.

World War II in the West: The Blitzkrieg and the Fall of France

Germany’s invasion strategy, known as Blitzkrieg, led to a rapid succession of critical events in Western Europe. On 9 May 1940, the German armed forces mobilised, ending the „phony war” and starting a real war. The swift German advance, known as Case Yellow, pushed through the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and northern France between 10 and 30 May 1940.

A key element of this invasion was the assault on the Maginot Line. German forces swiftly bypassed this heavily fortified defensive line by advancing through the Ardennes, an approach deemed highly improbable by the Allies. This manoeuvre, coupled with the rapid capture of most French and Belgian ports north of the river Somme by 26 May, apart from Dunkirk, created a dire situation for Allied forces.

In late May 1940, Operation Dynamo, also known as the Dunkirk evacuation, successfully evacuated 338,226 British and Allied troops from Dunkirk. This operation was a critical moment, enabling Britain to continue its resistance.

By the beginning of June 1940, Denmark had surrendered on the day of the German invasion, and by 10 June, Norway had fallen completely under German control. The Royal Navy’s actions at Narvik took a severe toll on the German Kriegsmarine, though it was not enough to turn the tide of German advances.

By 28 May 1940, Belgium had surrendered, leaving France increasingly isolated. French military resistance continued, but it was ultimately futile. Paris fell to the advancing German forces, and on 22 June 1940, France signed an armistice with Germany, leading to the establishment of the Vichy regime in southern France.

Italy’s declaration of war on France and Britain further complicated the Allied position, with Germany’s domination of Western Europe virtually complete by June 1940.

Despite the perilous situation, the Blitz—a relentless bombing campaign by Germany against Britain—primarily targeted civilian and strategic industrial areas. British resolve, however, remained unbroken. The Royal Air Force’s (RAF) victory in the Battle of Britain proved pivotal, stalling Hitler’s plan for an invasion of Britain, known as Operation Sea Lion.

Support from the United States, through the Lend-Lease Act, played an essential role in sustaining British resistance during this critical period ahead of America’s direct involvement in the war. The resilience of the British people, combined with strategic international aid, positioned Britain as a steadfast opponent to Axis powers throughout the subsequent years of World War II.

Hitler vs. Stalin: Operation Barbarossa

In the early hours of June 22, 1941, Operation Barbarossa started. It was a bold plan by Hitler to defeat the Soviet Union. This massive operation involved over 3 million troops over 1,800 miles. It was the biggest military move in history.

Initially, Germany took a lot of ground. It also had a lot of success in air, taking down over 1,000 Soviet planes. By November 1941, they were 400 miles from Moscow and had captured many soldiers.

But then winter came. It was hard for the Germans, with many getting frostbite. The Soviet army, with new tanks and uniforms, launched a surprise attack in December. This made the Germans stop their push towards Moscow.

The Germans were just 12 miles from Moscow when they had to stop. The cold and strong Soviet defence helped the Soviets prepare to fight back. By December 6, the Soviets launched a big counterattack, starting a strong fight against the Germans.

The fight between Hitler and Stalin during Operation Barbarossa was a key moment in World War II. It showed how strong the Soviet defence was. This led to a long and hard war, affecting many people and the Final Solution.

World War II in the Pacific (1941-43)

The Pacific theatre of World War II started with the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. Japan’s surprise attack damaged the US Pacific Fleet badly. This made the US join the global war fully. Over 2,300 American troops died in the attack, changing the war’s course.

Soon, Japanese forces built a big empire stretching from Alaska to the Solomon Islands. The first big battles were the Battle of the Coral Sea in early May 1942 and the Battle of Midway a month later. The US Navy won a big victory at Midway, destroying four Japanese aircraft carriers.

This gave the Allies a big advantage at sea. The Guadalcanal campaign from August 1942 to February 1943 was very intense. It was a long fight with big naval and land battles, weakening Japan’s power.

Allied forces used an island-hopping strategy to take back land. They skipped over strong places to attack weak islands. This plan worked well, especially in the Marianas, which let the US bomb Japan with B-29 bombers.

By early 1944, the Allies controlled much of the southwest Pacific. This helped them plan more attacks and cut off Japan’s supplies. It made the Allies stronger in the Pacific.