World War II (1935-1945): A Global Conflict That Shaped History

The Road to War

Rise of Totalitarian Regimes

In the 1930s, aggressive totalitarian regimes in both Europe and Asia started to gain power.

1. Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler.
2. Fascist Italy led by Benito Mussolini.
3. Imperial Japan led by Emperor Hiroto.

All were pushing for expansion, with their actions laying the groundwork for a global conflict. Additionally all three shared the same characteristics:

1. Suppression of dissent and political opposition.
2. Use of propaganda to control public opinion.
3. Militarization of society and glorification of war.
4. Scapegoating of minorities and outsiders to unify the nation.

Appeasement and Early Aggression

After World War I, Western countries were still trying to recover, so in turn mostly tried to keep the peace by avoiding conflict, a strategy known as appeasement. This hands-off approach ended up letting a lot slide, like:

1. Germany moving troops into the Rhineland in 1936.
2. Italy taking over Ethiopia between 1935 and 1936.
3. Japan invading Manchuria in 1931 and then China in 1937.

The War Begins

European Theater

The war in Europe officially began on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. Key events to remember:

1. The fall of France (1940).
2. The Battle of Britain (1940-1941).
3. Operation Barbarossa: Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union (1941).

The impact of these events was quite significant:

1. Expanded the war into a truly continental conflict, involving nearly all of Europe.
2. Exposed the weaknesses of appeasement policies and the limits of early Allied preparedness.
3. Set the stage for later Allied cooperation, such as the U.S. Lend-Lease Act to Britain and the eventual opening of a Western Front to relieve pressure on the Soviets.

Pacific Theater

Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, brought the United States into the war. The Pacific Theater saw intense naval and island-hopping campaigns, including:

1. The Battle of Midway (1942).
2. The Guadalcanal Campaign (1942-1943).
3. The Battle of Iwo Jima (1945).

America's Role in the War

The Arsenal of Democracy

Before officially entering the war, the U.S. provided crucial support to its allies through programs like:

1. Lend-Lease Act (1941), which allowed the government to "lend" or "lease" military equipment. Essentially allowing for the allies to obtain equipment without immediately paying.
2. Cash and Carry policy, which allowed countries at war to buy weapons and other goods from the U.S, but only if they paid in cash and transported the materials themselves, thus allowing the U.S. to stay out of direct involvement.

Military Contributions

Once in the war, the U.S. made significant contributions:

1. D-Day invasion (June 6, 1944).
2. Strategic bombing campaigns in Europe.
3. Island-hopping strategy in the Pacific.

Home Front

The war effort during World War II dramatically transformed American society, with long-lasting effects

1. Massive industrial mobilization, as the U.S. coordinated with the private industry to convert peacetime production into wartime into wartime manufacturing of weapons, planes, ships, and more.
2. Women entering the workforce in unprecedented numbers.
3. Rationing and bond drives were used to ensure resources went to the military, the government rationed key items like gasoline, rubber, sugar, meat, and coffee.

Major Turning Points

Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943)

1. This brutal urban battle marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front.
2. Seen as a major turning point in Europe which begun the long Soviet push toward Berlin, contributing to postwar Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.

D-Day (June 6, 1944)

1. The largest amphibious invasion in history opened a crucial second front in Europe.
2. Demonstrates U.S. military leadership and very much connected to the strategy of defeating Germany before Japan.

Battle of Midway (1942)

1. This naval battle in the Pacific decisively shifted the balance of power away from Japan, as the U.S. destroyed four Japanese aircraft carriers.
2. Leads to the U.S. “island-hopping” strategy that was previously mentioned.

The Holocaust

1. The Nazi regime's systematic genocide of six million Jews and millions of others, including Roma, homosexuals, and political opponents, stands as one of the darkest chapters in human history.
2. Often linked to the postwar Nuremberg Trials, which held Nazi leaders accountable and established precedents for prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Ending the War

VE Day (May 8, 1945)

1. Germany's unconditional surrender marked the end of the war in Europe.
2. Often linked to the success of the D-Day invasion and the two-front strategy that overwhelmed Nazi Germany.

Atomic Bombings and VJ Day

1. The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (August 9, 1945), leading to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.
2. President Truman justified the bombings as a way to avoid a costly invasion of Japan and end the war quickly.

Consequences and Legacy

Global Power Shift

1. The war's aftermath saw the rise of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers, setting the stage for the Cold War.

International Cooperation

1. The United Nations was established in 1945 to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts.
2. The U.S. became a founding member and key participant, unlike after WWI.

Technological Advancements

The war spurred numerous technological developments, from radar to nuclear energy, that would shape the post-war world.

Conclusion

World War II was a transformative event that reshaped global politics, economics, and society. Its impact continues to be felt today, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of totalitarianism and the importance of international cooperation in maintaining peace.