Introduction to World War II

Introduction to World War II

Between the Allied and the Axis Powers, World War II was one of the costliest wars of mankind.  Japan, Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union were the original, major countries of the Axis Powers.  Fighting against the Axis Powers were the Allied Powers, who were the Great Britain, United States, Canada, and the Soviet Union (USSR). 


 After Germany betrayed the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union, which was led by Joseph Stalin, became an Allied Power.  Emperor Hirohito and Prime Minister Hideki Tojo led Japan.  Adolf Hitler was "de Fuhrer" of the Third Reich (Germany).  Leading Italy was Benito Mussolini, the founder of fascism.

On the other side, Winston Churchill was the British wartime leader.  Joining Churchill after the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, was Franklin Roosevelt of the United States.  William King of Canada joined Great Britain as soon as the war began.  Stalin, the ruthless dictator of the Communist Soviet Union, had signed a non-aggression pact with Hitler, but then Hitler had double-crossed him.  Then, Stalin worked with the Allies for the end of the Third Reich.

Many people say that World War II began on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland, or September 3, 1939, when Great Britain and France declared war on Germany.  Others say the war started in July 1937, when Japan invaded China.  Even others point to the moment when Hitler had absolute power to be the beginning of World War II on August 2, 1934.  

I hope that this website helps you understand World War II for yourself!  Thank you for visiting my website!  

Sources:

Mystery of History Volume 4

http://www.2worldwar2.com/leaders.htm

http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/holocaust/h-becomes.htm

Pictures courtesy of:

First picture: http://www.montney.com/marine/iwo.jpg

Second picture:  http://ubermagik.blogspot.com/2012/06/magnotta-is-psychopath-magnotta-enjoys.html

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