The Second World War (1939–1945) was the largest and deadliest conflict in human history, fought across Europe, Asia, Africa and the oceans.
The two sides
The war was fought between two great coalitions. The Axis Powers were led by Germany, Italy and Japan. Against them stood the Allied Powers, chiefly Britain, France, the Soviet Union, the United States and China. The conflict opened in Europe when Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939, prompting Britain and France to declare war two days later.
Key idea / 要点
Axis = Germany, Italy, Japan. Allies = Britain, France, USSR, USA, China. War in Europe: 1939 (Poland) to 1945 (German surrender).
Course and end of the war
Using rapid "lightning war" (Blitzkrieg) tactics, Germany quickly overran much of Europe, and France fell in 1940. Germany then turned east and invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, while Japan expanded across Asia and the Pacific. The tide slowly turned in favour of the Allies. Germany finally surrendered on 8 May 1945, ending the war in Europe. The war in the Pacific continued until the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima (6 August 1945) and Nagasaki (9 August 1945), after which Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945, bringing the entire war to a close.
Remember / 记住
- WWII: 1939–1945.
- Germany surrendered 8 May 1945 (Europe).
- Atomic bombs: Hiroshima (6 Aug) and Nagasaki (9 Aug) 1945; Japan surrendered 15 August 1945.