World War II
World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the majority of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. It was the most widespread war in history, directly involving more than 100 million people from over 30 countries.
Origins
Major Events
- Invasion of Poland (1939): Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, marked the official start of the war in Europe.
- Battle of Britain (1940): The first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces, where the Royal Air Force successfully defended United Kingdom against the Luftwaffe.
- Operation Barbarossa (1941): The German invasion of the Soviet Union, which turned into a major turning point when the German advance was halted at Stalingrad.
- Pearl Harbor (1941): The attack by Japan on the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii brought the United States into the war.
- D-Day (1944): The Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, initiated the Western European phase of the war, leading to the liberation of France.
- Atomic Bombings (1945): The dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States prompted Japan's surrender.
Impact
- Casualties: The war resulted in an estimated 70 million fatalities, including about 20 million military personnel and 40 million civilians.
- Holocaust: The systematic genocide of approximately six million Jews by Nazi Germany, along with millions of others deemed "undesirable."
- Reorganization of Global Power: The war led to the decline of European powers and the rise of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers.
- Formation of the United Nations: To prevent future conflicts, the United Nations was established in 1945.
Sources
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