World War Two Timeline

Last Updated : 17 Apr, 2025

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World War II was the largest and deadliest global military conflict in
history. It began in 1939 with Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland and
lasted until the Axis powers' surrender in 1945. The war engulfed
Europe and Asia across bloody campaigns that resulted in an
estimated 60 million deaths, including the systematic murder of 6
million Jews in the Holocaust. This article covers World War II, a
massive and devastating global conflict from 1939 to 1945. It explores
its causes, key events, impacts on nations, and the aftermath.

World War Two Timeline

Table of Content
 World War II
 Several key events and factors led to the start of the war:
 Beginning of World War II
  Expansion of the Conflict
 The Tide Turns Against the Axis
 End of World War II and Aftermath
 Reasons behind Second World War
 Course of event
 Impact
 Significance
 Conclusion
 FAQs- World War Two
World War II
World War II began in 1939 and lasted until 1945. Sparked by Adolf
Hitler's invasion of Poland, the war engulfed Europe and Asia with
bloody campaigns. Over 60 million military and civilian lives perished,
including 6 million Jews systematically murdered in the Holocaust.
The Allies, led by Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union,
emerged victorious over the Axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Technological innovations that enhanced the scale of warfare ranged
from rockets to radars to the advent of nuclear weapons.
Several key events and factors led to the start of the war:
 Rise of Fascist Dictators: In the 1930s, authoritarian and
militaristic regimes took power in Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933 and swiftly
dismantled the Treaty of Versailles and began building up
Germany's military in violation of the treaty.
 Failure of Appeasement: Britain and France attempted to
appease Hitler by allowing his early aggressions, such as the
re-militarization of the Rhineland in 1936. This emboldened
Hitler and showed weakness on the part of the Allies. The
policy of appeasement failed when Germany invaded Poland in
1939.
 Japanese Expansionism: Japan had begun occupying territory
in Asia in the 1930s, including Manchuria and parts of China.
This expansionism brought it into conflict with the Western
powers.
 The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939): The civil war in Spain
resulted in the victory of the fascists led by Francisco Franco.
This was aided by Hitler and Mussolini, allowing them to test
their military tactics and equipment.
 The Invasion of Poland: On September 1st, 1939, Germany
invaded Poland, finally causing Britain and France to declare
 war and begin World War II. Poland's geographic position put it
on the path of German eastward expansion and conquest.
Beginning of World War II
The origins of World War II can be traced to the rise of authoritarian
and militaristic regimes in Germany, Italy, and Japan in the 1930s.
Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933, swiftly rearmed the
country, and began violating the Treaty of Versailles by remilitarizing
the Rhineland in 1936.
Britain and France attempted to appease Hitler through concessions
such as allowing the annexation of Austria in 1938. However,
appeasement failed when Germany invaded Poland on September
1, 1939. This finally provoked Britain and France to declare war on
Germany, marking the start of World War II in Europe.
In the Pacific, Japan had been occupying territory in Asia since the
1931 invasion of Manchuria. Seeking natural resources and empire,
Japan's expansionism led to a full-scale war against China by 1937 and
increasing confrontation with Western powers like the United States.
The Spanish Civil War from 1936-1939 allowed Hitler and Mussolini to
aid the fascists led by Franco, enabling them to test military tactics
and equipment. By 1939, the stage was set for global war as
aggressive dictatorships dismantled the post-WWI order. Germany's
invasion of Poland was the trigger that set off World War II.
Expansion of the Conflict
After invading Poland in 1939, Germany quickly conquered much of
Europe including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and
parts of the Soviet Union. Italy and Japan joined the German side,
eager to build their empires.
The war rapidly expanded from a regional conflict to a global one.
Japan attacked British and Dutch colonies in Southeast Asia for their
resources and began pushing into the Pacific islands. In
December 1941, Japan infamously attacked the U.S. naval base at
Pearl Harbor, bringing America into the war.
By 1942, the major Allied powers of Britain, the United States, China,
and the Soviet Union were pitted against the Axis powers of Germany,
Italy, and Japan. Fighting engulfed both the European and Pacific
theaters as well as North Africa, the Mediterranean, and Southeast
Asia. Millions of troops battled from the Atlantic to the remote islands
of the Pacific.
The expanding scope of combat ultimately included around 100 million
military personnel from over 30 countries. It was total war, with the
mobilization of entire societies for the war effort both on the home
fronts and the widespread bombing of cities.
The Tide Turns Against the Axis
1942-1943 marked a crucial turning point in World War II when the
tide began shifting against the Axis powers. Some key events:
 Soviet forces won the bloody Battle of Stalingrad in
early 1943, halting the German advance in the East. This was
Germany's first major defeat.
 In North Africa, the British pushed Axis troops out of Egypt and
Libya after winning the Second Battle of El Alamein in late
1942.
 The British victory over the Germans at El Alamein was soon
followed by the Allied landings in Morocco and Algeria in
November 1942, putting further pressure on the Axis.
 In the Pacific, the decisive American naval victory over Japan
at the Battle of Midway in June 1942 ended Japan's expansion
and put the Allies on the offensive.
 By 1943, the massive Soviet Red Army had gained the upper
hand against Germany in the East, while American war
production and military strength was growing enormously.
 Allied strategic bombing campaigns were relentlessly pounding
Germany's infrastructure and industrial cities. Germany and
Japan could not sustain the damage, resource losses, or
casualties.
 Italy was knocked out of the war in 1943 after the Allied
invasion of Sicily, and Mussolini lost power. This weakened the
Axis bloc.
End of World War II and Aftermath
World War II came to an end in 1945, leaving behind unimaginable
destruction and loss of life. The Allied powers began the enormous task
of rebuilding wartorn nations and reshaping the post-war world order.
Key aftermath points:
 Germany and Berlin were divided into occupation zones
controlled by the Allied nations.
 Numerous war crime tribunals were set up to prosecute Axis
leaders for crimes against humanity, most notably the
Nuremberg trials.
 Europe was economically devastated and needed extensive
rebuilding. The Marshall Plan provided aid to help Western
European countries recover.
  Germany was formally split into East and West Germany in
1949 due to rising Cold War tensions.
 Millions of displaced people migrated across Europe, with
forced population transfers in Eastern Europe.
 The United Nations was established in 1945 to promote
cooperation and prevent future global conflict.
 Decline of European imperialism as colonies in Asia and Africa
began independence movements.
 Economic resurgence in the US and allies with the expansion
of consumerism, while Europe continued rationing.
 Emergence of two superpowers - USA and Soviet Union -
setting the stage for Cold War competition.
 Europe was divided into Western liberal democracies and
Eastern communist Soviet bloc states.
 Development of nuclear weapons technology by the
superpowers and arms race tensions.
Reasons behind Second World War
1. Treaty of Versailles - The harsh treaty imposed on Germany after
WWI caused resentment. Loss of territory and reparations led to
economic problems in Germany.
2. Rise of fascist dictators - Leaders like Hitler, Mussolini, and Tojo rose
to power and aggressively pursued nationalist expansionist policies.
Their ideologies led to conflict.
3. Failure of appeasement - Allowing Hitler's demands at Munich in
1938 encouraged his invasion of Czechoslovakia. Appeasement was
seen as a weakness by Hitler.
4. German expansionism - Hitler's desire for 'lebensraum' or living
space drove his invasions of nearby countries and violation of treaties.
Remilitarization of the Rhineland, annexation of Austria, and invasion
of Poland demonstrated this aggression.
5. Imperial Japan's expansion in Asia - Japan invaded Manchuria in
1931 and China in 1937 to build its empire and gain access to natural
resources. This brought conflict with the US.
6. Arms race and militarization - Competition among nations to
continuously upgrade their military might and weapons technology
created an environment conducive to war.
7. Alliance systems - Dividing Europe into two hostile blocks - Allies and
Axis powers - increased tensions and made war more likely as
countries were bound to protect their allies.
8. Economic factors - The Great Depression led countries like Germany
and Japan to adopt aggressive economic policies that led to
expansionist tendencies.
Course of event
Event Duration Description

Operation Junee 1941–

December 1 Germany
invaded the Soviet
Union, breaking the
Nazi-Soviet pact. The
Soviet Union joined the
Allies.

September 1, 1939Germany
invaded Poland, marking
the start of WWII in
German Invasion of Europe. Britain and France
Poland declared war on Germany.

May-June 1940 Germany

invaded France, Belgium,
Luxembourg, and the
Netherlands. France
Fall of France surrendered in June.

Battle of Britain

Japanese forces attacked the

US naval base at Pearl
December 7, 1941,
Harbor. The US entered the
T of Pearl Harbor . war.

Major naval battle in the

Pacific where the US
defeated Japan, turning the
Battle of Midway Junene tide in the Pacific theater of
1942 Stalingrad
Event Duration Description

Operation Junee 1941–

December 1 Germany
invaded the Soviet
Union, breaking the
Nazi-Soviet pact. The
Soviet Union joined the
Allies.

Soviet Union defeated

August 1942–February Germany in a major battle,
1943 leading to Germany's first
big defeat.

Allies launched a massive

amphibious landing
June 6, 1944 operation in Normandy,
France opening the Western
D-Day Landings front.

The US dropped atomic

bombs on the Japanese
August 6 and 9, 1945
Atomic bombing of cities forcing Japan's
Hiroshima & Nagasaki unconditional surrender.

Japan accepted the terms of

Victory over Japan On the Potsdam Declaration,
August 15, 1945 signaling the end of WWII.

Impact
World War II had an enormous impact globally economically,
geopolitically, and from a human suffering perspective. Here are some
of the major effects and consequences of the war:
Economic Impact:
Countries like Britain, France, Germany, Japan, and the Soviet Union
had much of their industrial and city infrastructure destroyed by
combat. This set their economic recoveries back for years.
However, the war was also an economic boon for some countries such
as the United States, which saw GDP rise significantly through
producing wartime goods and materials. U.S. economic power
increased.
Geopolitical Impact:
The Soviet Union emerged as a global superpower rivaling Britain and
the U.S. This set up Cold War tensions following WWII between
communist and capitalist countries.
Colonized nations in Asia and Africa also started gaining independence
after the way European powers were weakened and strained.
Human and Societal Impact:
Over 60 million people died as a result of the war, including tens of
millions of civilians as well as servicemen and women.
The persecution of Jews and other minority populations through
genocide, labor camps, and war crimes resulted in tremendous human
suffering, with 6 million Jews killed.
Cities from Dresden and Tokyo to London, Stalingrad, and Hiroshima
saw large-scale destruction from aerial bombings and sieges.
Displacement of people through conflict or policies was common,
generating huge refugee crises
So in almost every sphere - economic, political, and human - WWII had
devastating immediate effects that permanently altered global
geopolitics and national developments for future generations as
countries recovered post-war.
Significance
It changed maps and borders - Many new countries were created, and
big powerful ones like Germany shrank. The Soviet Union and the
United States emerged as new superpowers.
It brought huge destruction - From massive bloodshed and city
bombings to genocide and the first nuclear weapons. The scale of
death and horror motivated world peace efforts after.
It led to organizations for peace - Groups like the United Nations were
developed to promote cooperation between nations and try to prevent
future global wars.
It made technology much more advanced & dangerous - From rockets
to radar to aircraft carriers, many key innovations remain military
assets now. And nuclear bombs pose a threat still haunting global
politics today.
It ended the age of European domination - Before WWII, Britain ruled
25% of the world! After, nearly all its colonies gained independence.
Europe declined while U.S. and Soviet imperialism rose.
World War II transformed international relations and global ideology in
many ways still felt today. It brought devastation showing world wars
must be avoided, while rocketing technology to frightening new levels.
Simply put, the post-WWII shape of the modern earth emerged from
the ashes of this iconic conflict.
Conclusion
World War II was the largest and deadliest war in history, fueled by
authoritarian regimes expanding territories, ineffective appeasement
policies, and advances in military technology. It resulted in widespread
destruction across Europe and Asia from 1939-1945, reshaped global
superpowers and borders after ending Nazi Germany and imperialist
Japan, and led to over 60 million deaths including genocide victims.

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