SUMMARY OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR

World War II is the period between September 1, 1939 when Germany

began the invasion of Poland and September 2, 1945 when Japan
officially signed the unconditional surrender after the atomic bombing
of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
It divided the world into two main belligerent camps or forces, the
Axis block formed by Germany, Italy and Japan and the Allied bloc
with the United Kingdom and France to which during the war Soviet
Union and United States joined.
CAUSES
World War I and resolution of the Treaty of Versailles that
punishes in excess to Germany.
Global socioeconomic crisis after the "Crack of the 29" that
motivates the rise to power of the Nazi Party in Germany led by
Adolf Hitler.
Expansionary foreign policy of Adolf Hitler's government
invading Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland.
DEVELOPMENT OF WAR

Start. On 1 September 1939 German troops invaded Poland

and the United Kingdom and France declared war on Germany.
A period called "War of Joke" begins in which the two sides
mobilize troops but there are still no warlike confrontations or
battles.
German offensive. Once conquered Austria, Czechoslovakia
and Poland, Hitler reorganizes its troops to begin the invasion of
France and the colonization of North Africa aided by the Italian
troops of Benito Mussolini. The strategy of German combat
called War Lightning surprises the French defenses and it
destroys them. France is in German power by 1940 and Hitler
tries unsuccessfully to conquer United Kingdom and Russia with
the operations Sea Lion and Barbarossa. Both fail.
USSR enters the war. The Soviet Union led by Stalin had
signed a non-aggression pact with Germany in 1939, however
Hitler breaks the pact and with Operation Barbarossa initiates
the invasion of Russia. Stalin declares war on Germany and
launches Red Army against German troops. The USSR joins the
allied side.
The United States enters the war. Japan, ally of Germany
and Italy, attacks the bay of Pearl Harbor where the US has
located much of its fleet in the Pacific. The attack involves the
declaration of war from the United States to Japan and therefore
to its ally Germany. From now on, America, which until now had
remained neutral, supports the side of the Allies.
 Allied counteroffensive. With the new support of the USSR
and the US, the allied side is capable of attacking Germany on
numerous fronts, which forces Hitler and his commanders to
wear out and makes it necessary to send supplies on many
fronts. Supplies do not arrive in the right way and the
Wehrmacht begins to lose battles and territories until now in
German power. The landing of Normandy and the Battle of
Stalingrad are two key victories of the allies that suppose the
reconquest of France and the defeat of Germany in Russia.
End of the war. Germany defeated on all fronts begins to
retreat to the capital Berlin, the numerical superiority and
resources of the Allies make impossible any German reaction.
Hitler is locked in the Fhrerbunker of Berlin and finally commits
suicide the 30 of April of 1945, Germany stops the attacks 8 of
May of that same year. The Pacific War between the US and
Japan concludes with the atomic bombing of the cities of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Emperor Hirohito signs the
unconditional surrender on September 2, 1945.
CONSEQUENCES
1. The US and the USSR are divided territories and are the two
great world powers, divide the world into two blocks, one
capitalist and another communist.
2. Economic and social crisis in Europe. 62 million dead and 6
million homes destroyed.
3. European countries cease to be world powers and lose their
colonies.