World War 2:

World War 2 was the most devastating war in history. For the first time ever in warfare, more civilians than soldiers lost their lives. In total, more than 50 million people were killed, including 20 million Russians, 6 million Poles, and 6 million Jews. The war, which lasted from 1939-45, involved every continent, and few countries or people remained untouched by the carnage. In Europe, the strength of the Russian and American armies was required to defeat Germany. In Asia, atomic warfare was used for the first time to defeat Japan.

In June 1941, German troops invaded Russia. Six months later, Japanese aircraft bombed the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, bringing the USA into the war. By the end of 1941, an international alliance of the USA, Russia, and Britain confronted the Axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan.

How war began

Adolf Hitler took power in Germany in 1933 and set out to restore German power in Europe. He built a strong army and air force, and began to expand German territory in central and Eastern Europe. On 1 September, 1939, German troops invaded Poland. In response, Britain and France declared war on Germany.

Turning point

By mid 1942, the Germans occupied most of Europe and northern Africa, and the Japanese controlled most of the Pacific. Three battles turned the tide: Midway, where the USA stopped the Japanese; El Alamein in North Africa; and Stalingrad, where the Russians began to push back the occupying forces.

End of the war

By 1944, the war had turned in the Allies’ favor. Italy had surrendered, and the Russians were making slow progress towards Berlin. In June 1944, the Allies invaded France, opening up a new western front. The Russians entered Berlin in April 1945, and Germany surrendered in May 1945.

Countries involved in World War 2

1. Axis Countries

2. National impacts