🌍 World War II – Full History Summary (1939–1945)

🌍 World War II – Full History Summary (1939–1945)

Duration: 6 years

Major Sides:

Allied Powers: United Kingdom, USSR, United States, France, China

Axis Powers: Nazi Germany, Italy, Japan

🧨 I. Causes of World War II

Treaty of Versailles (1919):

After WWI, Germany was harshly punished — forced to give up land, pay reparations, and disarm. This created resentment among Germans.

Rise of Adolf Hitler & Nazism:

Hitler came to power in 1933, promising to restore Germany's glory, rebuild its military, and expand its territory (“Lebensraum” — living space).

Expansionism by Axis Powers:

Germany invaded Austria and Czechoslovakia.

Italy invaded Ethiopia.

Japan invaded Manchuria (1931) and China (1937).

Failure of the League of Nations:

This global peace organization couldn’t stop aggressive countries.

Appeasement Policy:

Britain and France allowed Hitler to take land (like Sudetenland) hoping to avoid another war.

📆 II. Timeline of Major Events

🔰 1939: War Begins

September 1: Germany invades Poland using “Blitzkrieg” (lightning war).

September 3: Britain and France declare war on Germany.

🪖 1940: Europe Falls

Germany quickly defeats:

Poland, Denmark, Norway

Then Belgium, Netherlands, and France fall by June.

Battle of Britain:

The UK, under Winston Churchill, resists massive German air attacks (Luftwaffe).

🔥 1941: Global War

June 22: Hitler invades Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) — breaks pact with Stalin.

December 7: Japan bombs Pearl Harbor (Hawaii).

December 8–11: USA joins war; Germany & Italy declare war on the USA.

Now it’s a truly world war — in Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

🧭 1942–1943: Turning Points

Battle of Stalingrad (1942–43):

Soviet Red Army defeats Germany — a major turning point in the East.

Battle of El Alamein (1942):

British defeat Germans in North Africa.

Battle of Midway (1942):

USA defeats Japan in Pacific — turning point in the Pacific war.

⚔️ 1944: D-Day and Liberation

June 6, 1944: D-Day – Allied troops land in Normandy, France.

Massive operation to liberate Western Europe.

Soviet Union pushes Nazis from the East.

☠️ 1945: End of the War

April 30: Hitler commits suicide in Berlin.

May 8: Germany surrenders – called VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).

August 6 & 9: USA drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

August 15: Japan surrenders – VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day).

🧪 III. The Holocaust

6 million Jews were killed by Nazis in concentration camps.

Other victims: Poles, Romani (Gypsies), disabled, and political enemies.

Known as the Holocaust — one of the greatest genocides in history.

🌐 IV. Countries Involved

🔵 Allied Powers:

United Kingdom

Soviet Union (USSR)

United States

France (Free France)

China

Canada, Australia, India, South Africa

🔴 Axis Powers:

Nazi Germany

Fascist Italy

Imperial Japan

Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria (later joined)

🏆 V. Outcomes of World War II

Deaths:

Over 70 million people died — civilians and soldiers.

Creation of the United Nations (UN):

To prevent future wars.

Europe in Ruins:

Cities, economies, and populations devastated.

Cold War Begins:

Tension rises between USA and USSR after the war.

Germany Divided:

Split into East (Soviet) and West (Allied) Germany.

Nuclear Age Starts:

Use of atomic bombs changed warfare forever.

Decolonization:

Many Asian and African countries began demanding independence (including India).

🇵🇰 Bonus: Impact on South Asia

Indian soldiers (under British rule) fought in:

North Africa

Burma

Europe

Over 2.5 million Indian soldiers served in WWII — largest volunteer army.

World War II sped up India’s independence movement (gained in 1947).