Class Notes: The Events of World War II
1. Background
Causes of the War
Treaty of Versailles: Harsh reparations and territorial
losses imposed on Germany after WWI led to
resentment.
Rise of Totalitarian Regimes: Economic instability
allowed leaders like Hitler (Germany), Mussolini
(Italy), and militarists (Japan) to gain power.
Expansionist Policies: Aggressive actions by Axis
powers, including Japan's invasion of Manchuria and
Italy's invasion of Ethiopia.
2. Outbreak of War
Invasion of Poland (September 1, 1939)
Germany invaded Poland, utilizing Blitzkrieg tactics
(lightning war).
Britain and France declared war on Germany
(September 3, 1939), marking the start of the
conflict.
3. Major Theaters of War
European Theater
Fall of France (1940): Germany invaded France
through the Ardennes, leading to France's surrender
in June 1940.
Battle of Britain (1940): The Royal Air Force
defended against the German Luftwaffe, preventing a
German invasion of Britain.
Eastern Front
Operation Barbarossa (June 22, 1941): Germany
invaded the Soviet Union, initially making significant
gains.
Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943): Turning point; the
Soviet victory marked the beginning of the pushback
against German forces.
Pacific Theater
Attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941): Japan
launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base,
leading to U.S. entry into the war.
Key Battles:
Battle of Midway (June 1942): Significant U.S. victory,
turning the tide against Japan.
Island Hopping Campaign: U.S. strategy to capture
strategic islands leading to Japan.
4. Allied Powers and Cooperation
Formation of the Allies
Key Allied powers included the United States, Soviet
Union, United Kingdom, and China.
Conferences
Tehran Conference (1943): Allied leaders discussed
military strategy and post-war plans.
Yalta Conference (1945): Allied leaders made
decisions on the post-war reorganization of Europe.
5. Conclusion of the War
D-Day (June 6, 1944)
Allied invasion of Normandy (Operation Overlord)
marked the beginning of the liberation of Western
Europe.
Fall of Berlin (April-May 1945)
Soviet forces captured Berlin, leading to Hitler's
suicide (April 30, 1945).
Germany surrendered unconditionally on May 7, 1945
(V-E Day).
Atomic Bombs on Japan (August 1945)
U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima (August 6)
and Nagasaki (August 9).
Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945 (V-J Day),
officially ending the war on September 2, 1945.
6. Aftermath
Human Cost
Estimated 70-85 million people died, including
civilians and military personnel.
Nuremberg Trials
War crimes trials held to prosecute Nazi leaders for
crimes against humanity.
Creation of the United Nations
Established in 1945 to promote international
cooperation and prevent future conflicts.
Cold War Begins
Tensions between the U.S. and Soviet Union
emerged, leading to the Cold War era.
