The Second World War: A Detailed Overview
The 2nd World War began about 20 years after the first World War. Statistically, Hitler's invasion of Poland in September 1939 acted as the catalyst for the 2nd World War. However, historically speaking, there is much more to it than that.
Benito Mussolini’s Rise to Power
Benito Mussolini started working in trade unions for social newspapers in 1902 after moving to Italy from Switzerland. He was investing in Socialism, which was controversial among the monarchy, leading to his arrest in Switzerland. He was sent back to Italy, where he was set free but had to fulfill his mandatory military training he had initially tried to escape. After completing his military service, he became an ‘anti-war’ avid socialist.
When Italy colonized Libya in 1910, Mussolini began riots with socialists who admired him and got arrested. During WW1, he rioted again due to Italy's involvement in the war. Nonetheless, he later shifted his stance, supporting the war as a means to overthrow European monarchies and establish socialism. His former socialist admirers disagreed, leading to his dismissal from the party. Mussolini then created a new social theory called "Fascism" to reunite all Italian people and expand Italy’s influence across the Mediterranean.
In 1922, Mussolini became Prime Minister of Italy. His fascist movement gained many followers, and on January 3, 1925, he asserted his right to supreme power in Parliament, becoming Italy’s first Fascist dictator.
Adolf Hitler’s Rise to Power
In 1923, Hitler attempted a march against English soldiers occupying Germany after the Great War, which led to his arrest. A former soldier in WW1, Hitler was embittered by Germany’s defeat and humiliation. He formed the Nazi party and, in 1933, became Chancellor. Hitler’s popularity grew, eventually establishing him as a dictator and a second fascist leader in Europe.
Germany, previously on the losing side of WW1, aligned with Italy despite Italy being an ally in the first war. Mussolini and Hitler joined forces for territorial expansion, later forming the Tripartite Pact with Japan. Japan sought to expand its empire by invading China via Korea, facing opposition from Soviet troops at the borders. Eventually, Japan clashed with Russia and emerged victorious.
Prelude to Global Conflict
Hitler prepared Germany militarily to establish Aryan supremacy. His racial policies and discrimination against minority groups led to the Holocaust, which targeted millions of Jews. Japan, Italy, and Germany pursued invasions of less powerful nations they deemed inferior. Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia, Mussolini colonized Abyssinia and Albania, and Japan took Beijing in China.
Germany and Russia then invaded Poland, splitting the territory between them. Polish soldiers fought fiercely but were overwhelmed by the two invading nations.
Major Events During the War
-
1940: Germany attacked Belgium and France. UK and French forces resisted, but Germany eventually occupied France. Hitler attempted to invade Great Britain via air raids, but the RAF successfully defended the country.
-
Hungary joined the Tripartite Pact.
-
June 22, 1941: Germany launched a massive invasion of Russia but was halted by the harsh Russian winter.
-
December 7, 1941: Japan attacked British colonies in Southeast Asia and Pearl Harbor. The UK and USA declared war on Japan, followed by Germany declaring war on the USA.
-
Japan attempted an attack on Midway Islands but was defeated.
The Allies gradually pushed back Axis forces. Germans were expelled from France, Japan was driven out of Burma, and Germany faced attacks from both the Western front (France, UK, USA, Canada) and the Eastern front (Soviets). Japan surrendered after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The war officially ended on September 2, 1945.