History World War II (WW II)

World War II changed political direction and social structure world. The United Nations (UN) was established to strengthen international cooperation and prevent future conflicts.

IPHEDIA - World War II or Second World War (WWII or PD2) which lasted from 1939 to 1945 a global war and most terrible ever. This war involved many countries in the world - including all major powers - which eventually formed two conflicting military alliances: Allies and Axis.

In a state total and open warfare, large countries maximize all their economic, industrial and scientific capabilities for the purposes of war, thereby eliminating the difference between civilian and military resources.

The Beginning and End of World War II

Onset World War II was generally agreed on September 1, 1939, beginning with German invasion Poland; Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later. Another date for start this war is the start Second Sino-Japanese War on July 7, 1937.

Others followed British historian A. J. P. Taylor, who believed that Sino-Japanese War and wars in Europe and their colonies occurred together and two wars joined in 1941.

Other early dates often used for World War II also included Italian invasion Abyssinia on October 3, 1935. British historian Antony Beevor saw beginning Second World War as  Japanese invading Manchuria in August 1939.

Exact date end of the war is also not universally agreed upon. It has always been said that war ended at ceasefire August 14, 1945 (V-J Day), instead of Japan's official surrender (September 2, 1945); in a number European historical texts, this war ended on V-E Day (May 8, 1945). Even so, Peace Agreement with Japan was only signed in 1951, and with Germany in 1990.

The Widest War in History

The widest war in history involved more than 100 million people in various military forces. A number of important events involving civilians, including Holocaust and use nuclear weapons in warfare, this war claimed an estimated 50 million to 70 million lives. This number makes World War II deadliest conflict in human history.

At that time, Japanese Empire was trying to dominate East Asia and had begun a war with Republic China in 1937, but a general world war broke out on September 1, 1939 with an invasion Poland by Germany followed by a series war statements against Germany by France and Britain.

From late 1939 to early 1941, in a series campaigns and treaties, Germany formed the Axis alliance with Italy, controlling or conquering most of the European continent. After the Molotov – Ribbentrop Pact, Germany and Soviet Union separated and annexed territories neighboring countries in Europe, including Poland.

United Kingdom, with its empire and Commonwealth, became only major Allied force that continued to fight against Axis block, by fighting in North Africa and Battle Atlantic.

In June 1941, European Axis launched an invasion Soviet Union that marked opening largest land war theater in history, which involved most Axis military forces until end of the war.

In December 1941, Japan joined Axis block, invaded United States and European territories in Pacific Ocean, and quickly conquered much Western Pacific. Axis invasion ceased in 1942, after Japan was defeated in various sea battles and European Axis army was defeated in North Africa and Stalingrad.

In 1943, through a series of German defeats in Eastern Europe,  Allied invasion Italy, and victory United States in Pacific, Poros lost their initiative and retreated strategically on all fronts. In 1944, Western Allies invaded France, while Soviet Union retook all territories that had been annexed and invaded Germany and its allies.

War in Europe ended with occupation Berlin by Soviet and Polish troops and German unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945. Throughout 1944 and 1945, United States defeated Japanese Navy and occupied several islands in Western Pacific, dropping atomic bombs on country ahead invasion to Japanese Islands.

The Soviet Union then followed through negotiations by declaring war on Japan and invading Manchuria. The Japanese Empire surrendered on 15 August 1945, thus ending the war in Asia and strengthening the total Allied victory over the Axis.

World War II changed political direction and social structure world. United Nations (UN) was established to strengthen international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. Great powers that won war - United States, Soviet Union, China, United Kingdom, and France - became permanent members United Nations Security Council.

At that time, Soviet Union and United States emerged as competing super powers and established the stage World War which would last for next 46 years. Meanwhile, influence great European powers began to weaken, and decolonization Asia and Africa began. Most countries whose industries were badly affected began to undergo economic recovery. Political integration, especially in Europe, emerged as an attempt to stabilize postwar relations. (as/rs)