World War II: A Global Conflict
The Blitzkrieg and Early Axis Victories
Invasion of Poland and Western Europe
The war began with Germany’s invasion of Poland using blitzkrieg tactics, focusing on speed and surprise to disrupt communication and destroy key installations. Simultaneously, the Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east. Germany then invaded Norway and Denmark. France, despite the Maginot Line, was quickly overrun by German forces advancing through the Ardennes. The Netherlands and Belgium were occupied in two weeks, and the British Expeditionary Force was evacuated from Dunkirk. Paris fell on June 13, 1940, and France signed an armistice. The northern part of France was occupied, while the southern part was governed by a collaborationist regime based in Vichy.
The Battle of Britain
Following the Allied defeat in continental Europe, a political crisis in the United Kingdom led to the formation of a coalition government with Winston Churchill as Prime Minister. In the summer of 1940, the Battle of Britain commenced. Despite heavy bombing by the German Luftwaffe, the Royal Air Force successfully defended the island and prevented a German invasion.
Invasion of the Balkans
Encouraged by Axis victories, Italy entered the war alongside Germany. Italy’s invasion of Greece in early 1941 failed, prompting Hitler to intervene. Germany quickly conquered Yugoslavia and Greece. Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary, under authoritarian dictatorships, joined the Axis powers.
Globalization of the Conflict
Invasion of the USSR
In June 1941, Germany broke the Nazi-Soviet Pact and invaded the Soviet Union. Hitler’s goals were to expand German territory eastward, eliminate the communist regime, and seize resources such as oil, grain, and minerals. Soviet troops initially struggled against the blitzkrieg, and Germany occupied Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine, reaching the outskirts of Moscow and Leningrad. However, the harsh Russian winter and vast distances hampered German supply lines, stalling their advance. The Soviet government reorganized and launched a counteroffensive. The Battle of Stalingrad in January 1943 marked Germany’s first major defeat. The Soviet army began a slow but relentless westward push. The Eastern Front was characterized by brutal warfare and disregard for human life, with widespread atrocities committed by Nazi forces against civilians and prisoners of war.
War in the Pacific
In 1941, Japan continued its expansionist policy, occupying French Indochina. Japan’s threats to occupy British and Dutch colonies led to economic sanctions and an embargo by the United States. On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, crippling the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The U.S. and UK declared war on Japan, and Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. Japan conquered the Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and other Pacific islands in 1942. The Allied counteroffensive began with victories in the Coral Sea and Midway battles. The victory at Guadalcanal halted the Japanese advance.
Allied Victory in Europe
Italian Campaign
In 1943, Allied troops landed in Sicily, leading to Mussolini’s removal from power. Germany occupied northern Italy, and Mussolini established a new fascist government. The new Italian government declared war on Germany. The Allies advanced through Italy, defeating German forces. Mussolini was captured and executed in 1945.
Eastern Front
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