World War 2 (1939–1945): Causes, Events and Effects
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1. What Was World War II?
World War II was a worldwide war fought between two groups of countries. It began when Germany attacked Poland on 1 September 1939. Two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany. The war spread across Europe, North Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. The war lasted from 1 September 1939 to 2 September 1945. The war in Europe ended earlier, on 8 May 1945.
2. Main Causes of World War II
- Treaty of Versailles - The Treaty of Versailles was signed after World War I. It placed strict rules on Germany. Germany lost land, had a smaller army, and had to pay money. This made many Germans angry and helped Hitler gain support.
- Economic Depression - The Great Depression began in 1929. It caused unemployment, poverty, and money problems. Many people lost trust in their governments and supported strong leaders.
- Rise of Dictatorships - Dictators came to power in Germany, Italy, and Japan. Hitler, Mussolini, and Japanese military leaders wanted more power, land, and stronger armies.
- Expansion and Aggression - Germany, Italy, and Japan tried to take more land. Japan attacked China, Italy attacked Ethiopia, and Germany took control of nearby areas. Their actions increased tensions between countries.
- Failure of Appeasement - Britain and France tried to avoid war by accepting some of Hitler's demands. In 1938, Germany was allowed to take the Sudetenland. But Hitler continued to take more land, increasing the chances of war.
3. The Two Main Groups
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Allied Powers |
Axis Powers |
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Britain |
Germany |
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France |
Italy |
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Soviet Union |
Japan |
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United States |
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China |
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4. How the War Began and Spread
|
Date |
Major Event |
Simple Explanation |
|
1 September 1939 |
Germany invades Poland |
Germany attacked Poland using fast-moving military forces. |
|
3 September 1939 |
Britain and France declare war |
Britain and France declared war on Germany when it refused to leave Poland. |
|
1940 |
Germany expands westward |
Germany invaded Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. France fell in June. |
|
1940 |
Battle of Britain |
Germany attacked Britain from the air, but the British Air Force fought back. Germany could not control the skies. |
|
1941 |
The war becomes global |
Germany attacked the Soviet Union in June. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December, bringing the United States into the war. |
5. Major Events of World War II
|
Year / Date |
Major Event |
Simple Explanation |
|
1 September 1939 |
Invasion of Poland |
Germany attacked Poland. Britain and France then declared war on Germany. |
|
1940 |
Fall of France and Battle of Britain |
Germany defeated France. German planes attacked Britain, but Britain fought back. |
|
22 June 1941 |
Germany Invades the Soviet Union |
Germany attacked the Soviet Union. The fighting became very large and deadly. |
|
7 December 1941 |
Attack on Pearl Harbor |
Japan attacked an American naval base. The United States joined the war. |
|
1942 |
Turning Points Begin |
The Allies won important battles at Midway, El Alamein, and Stalingrad. |
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1943 |
Axis Powers Begin Losing Ground |
Germany lost at Stalingrad. The Allies invaded Italy, and Mussolini's government fell. |
|
6 June 1944 |
D-Day and Liberation of Europe |
Allied soldiers landed in France and began pushing German forces back. |
|
8 May 1945 |
Germany Surrenders |
Germany surrendered, ending the war in Europe. |
|
6 and 9 August 1945 |
Atomic Bombs and Japan's Surrender |
The United States dropped atomic bombs on two Japanese cities. Japan surrendered, ending World War II. |
6. Why Did World War II End?
- In Europe - The Soviet Union pushed German forces back toward Germany. The Western Allies moved forward after the D-Day invasion. Germany's cities and factories suffered heavy damage. Hitler died in April 1945, and Germany surrendered on 8 May 1945.
- In Asia and the Pacific - Japan lost important sea battles and territories. Allied forces moved closer to Japan. The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Soviet Union declared war on Japan in August 1945. Japan formally surrendered on 2 September 1945.
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