WORLD WAR

II:
A Global
Conflict
Key Events, Causes, and Impacts
Continue
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-01 -02
Causes of World
I-ntroduction - II
War

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-03 Timeline of
- ajor Players
M 04-
Events

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Life During
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-05 the War Turning points
- 06-
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-07 End of War Consequences
- 08-
- Lessons
- Conclusion
09- 10-

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World
War II
Started in 1939 and ended in
1945. The largest and deadliest
conflict in history

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CAUS
ES
The Causes of World War II: A Complex Web of Political, Economic, and Social
Factors

World War II emerged from a combination of political, economic, social, and

diplomatic factors that intertwined to create a global catastrophe. The Treaty
of Versailles (1919) marked a political turning point. By forcing Germany to
accept blame for World War I, imposing severe reparations, and restricting its
military, the treaty created deep resentment among Germans. This bitterness
became a foundation for Adolf Hitler’s rise to power, as he promised to restore
Germany’s honor and dominance. Similarly, authoritarian regimes in Italy and
Japan sought to expand their power,
further destabilizing the international order.

The Great Depression (1929) deepened these crises by causing widespread

unemployment and economic instability. Struggling nations turned to radical
leaders who proposed militaristic expansion as a solution. For Germany, Italy,
and Japan, this meant pursuing territorial conquests to secure resources and
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their economies, intensifying global tensions.
 Nationalism and expansionism were also key social drivers. Hitler’s belief in
Aryan superiority and his pursuit of “Lebensraum” justified the invasion of
neighboring countries, while Mussolini’s vision of a revived Roman Empire and
Japan’s imperialist ambitions led to aggressive military campaigns. This
environment of unchecked ambition normalized invasions and conquests.

The failure of diplomacy further exacerbated the situation. The League of

Nations, created to ensure peace, lacked the authority and unity to curb
aggression. It failed to act decisively during Japan’s invasion of Manchuria
(1931), Italy’s attack on Ethiopia (1935), and Germany’s annexation of Austria
(1938). Appeasement policies by Britain and France, aimed at avoiding
another war, allowed Hitler to expand unchecked, culminating in the invasion
of Poland in 1939 and the outbreak of World War II.
TIMELINE
of key
events
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World War II unfolded through a series of pivotal
events that shaped its trajectory and outcomes.
These moments reveal the scale and complexity of
the conflict.

1939: Germany Invades Poland

On September 1, 1939 Nazi Germany invaded Poland, using
Blitzkrieg tactics rapid, coordinated attacks combining air, tank,
and infantry forces. This unprovoked aggression led Britain and
France to declare war on Germany, marking the start of World
War II. Poland was quickly overrun, and its territory was divided
between Germany and the Soviet Union under the Molotov-
Ribbentrop Pact.

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1940: Blitzkrieg and the Fall of France
Germany launched its Western campaign in May 1940, bypassing France's heavily
fortified Maginot Line by advancing through Belgium and the Ardennes Forest.
Within weeks, Paris fell, and France signed an armistice on June 22, 1940 , leaving
Britain to stand alone against the Axis powers in Europe.
1941: Pearl Harbor Attack and Germany Invades the USSR
On June 22, 1941, Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, the largest military
invasion in history, against the Soviet Union. Despite early successes, the
campaign stalled as Soviet resistance and harsh winter conditions took a toll.
Later that year, on December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii,
crippling the U.S. Pacific Fleet. This attack prompted the United States to declare
war, joining the Allies and expanding the conflict into a truly global war.
1944: D-Day Invasion
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious
assault in history, landing on the beaches of Normandy, France. This successful
operation marked a major turning point in Europe, as it opened a Western front and
paved the way for the liberation of France and the eventual defeat of Nazi
Germany.
1945: Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Axis Surrender In August 1945, the United States
dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9), causing
unprecedented destruction and loss of life. These bombings forced Japan to
surrender on August 15, 1945 formally ending the war on September 2, Earlier that
year, Germany had surrendered on May 7, 1945, following the Allied invasion of
Berlin and Hitler’s suicide in April.
 Role of Women:
1. Workforce:
With men at war, women filled factory, office, and farm roles, supporting wartime
production, especially in munitions.
Reference: Higonnet, Margaret R. Behind the Lines.
2. Military Roles:
Women also joined the military in non-combat roles, with some, particularly in the Soviet
Union, serving in combat positions like pilots and snipers.
Reference: Zook, Deborah A. The Women of the Russian Military.
Atrocities:

1. The Holocaust:
Nazi Germany’s genocide of six million Jews and others, including Romani people and
disabled individuals, through concentration and extermination camps remains one of the
war’s most horrific atrocities.
Reference: Wiesel, Elie. Night.
2. Other War Crimes:
In addition to the Holocaust, other war crimes, including the Nanjing Massacre by Japan,
saw mass civilian murders and brutality across various regions.

Reference: Totani, Yuki. The Tokyo War Crimes Trial

 LIFE DURING THE WAR
World War II had a profound impact on civilians, shaping daily life in ways that had
lasting effects. Rationing, bombings, and displacement became common experiences
as entire populations were affected by the conflict. Women stepped into new roles in
the workforce and military, contributing significantly to the war effort. However, the
war also saw horrific atrocities, including the Holocaust and numerous other war
crimes, which underscored the devastating human cost of the conflict.

1. Rationing:
Civilians faced food and resource shortages, with rationing systems in place to ensure fair
distribution of essential items like food, fuel, and clothing.
Reference: McKee, Alexander. Rationing and the War Economy.
2. Bombings:
Both Axis and Allied forces bombed cities, causing widespread destruction and civilian
casualties. Major cities like London, Berlin, and Tokyo were heavily bombed.
Reference: Overy, Richard. The Bombing War.
3. Displacement:
Millions were forced to flee combat zones, becoming refugees due to bombings, invasions,
and occupations.
Reference: Kagan, Donald. The World Wars.

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 TURNING POINTS
1. Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943):
Germany's defeat at Stalingrad marked a major turning point on the Eastern Front. The
Soviet victory trapped the German 6th Army, halting Nazi expansion and shifting
momentum toward the USSR.
Reference: Glantz, David M. Stalingrad: The Fateful Siege.
2. D-Day (1944):
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched the Normandy invasion, opening a second front in
Western Europe.
This operation led to the liberation of France and the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany.
Reference: Ambrose, Stephen E. D-Day: June 6, 1944.
3. USA’s Entry (1941):
After Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the U.S. entered the war,
strengthening the Allies both militarily and economically, significantly altering the course
of the conflict.
Reference: Kennedy, David M. Freedom from Fear.
 THE END OF THE WAR
1. Germany’s Surrender (May 1945):
After intense fighting on multiple fronts, Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally on
May 7, 1945, marking the end of the war in Europe (V-E Day). The Soviet Union played a
major role in defeating Germany on the Eastern Front, while the Western Allies pushed
through from the west.
Reference: Craig, Gordon A. The Fall of Hitler's Reich.
2. Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 1945):
In August 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of
Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9), leading to Japan’s surrender on August
15, 1945. These bombings caused immense destruction and loss of life, prompting Japan
to end the war.
Reference: Alperovitz, Gar. The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb.
3. Formation of the United Nations (1945):
Following the war, the United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 to prevent future
conflicts and promote international cooperation. The organization aimed to uphold peace
and security through diplomacy and collective action.
Reference: O’Neill, William. A Better World: The United Nations and Global Governance.
 Lessons
from the
Diplomacy:
war
The war demonstrated the catastrophic
consequences of failing to resolve international
disputes diplomatically. This led to the creation of the
United Nations (UN) in 1945 to foster international
collaboration, maintain peace, and prevent future
conflicts. The UN aimed to promote dialogue, conflict
resolution, and collective security through its
Security Council and General Assembly.
Peacekeeping:
Post-war, global efforts focused on preventing future
conflicts through peacekeeping and conflict
prevention mechanisms. The UN's Peacekeeping
Forces were established to intervene in conflicts,
monitor ceasefires, and help with post-conflict
rebuilding. Additionally, international organizations
such as NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
were formed to provide collective defense against
aggression.
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CONSEQUENCES
Human Cost:
Total Deaths: Over 70 million people lost their lives, including both military and civilian casualties.
Civilian Casualties: The majority of the deaths were civilians, with an estimated 50-55 million
civilians killed due to bombings, massacres, starvation, and genocide (including the Holocaust).
Military Casualties: Roughly 15 million military personnel died across the involved countries.
Economic Consequences:
Rebuilding Europe: The war left much of Europe in ruins, requiring massive economic recovery. The
U.S. launched the Marshall Plan (1948-1952), providing over $12 billion (approximately $130 billion
today) in aid to help rebuild Western European economies, restore industries, and prevent the
spread of communism.
Global Economic Shift: The war devastated the economies of the Axis powers, while the U.S.
emerged as the world's leading economic and military power, largely untouched by the physical
destruction that affected Europe and Asia.

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Conclusion
World War II had devastating human and economic
costs, with over
70 million deaths, mostly civilians. It led to the
rebuilding of Europe through the Marshall Plan and
the emergence of the Cold War and decolonization.
The creation of the United Nations highlighted the
importance of diplomacy, peacekeeping, and
international collaboration in preventing future
conflicts. Key lessons included the dangers of
unchecked power and totalitarianism, emphasizing
the need for global cooperation and the protection of
democracy. These changes shaped the post-war world
order, focusing on peace, security, and human rights.
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