The Origins and Major Events of World War II

World War II: Main Ideas and Context

Main Ideas

1. Economic and political problems troubled Europe in the years after World War I.
2. World War II broke out when Germany invaded Poland.
3. Nazi Germany targeted the Jews during the Holocaust.
4. Allied victories in Europe and Japan brought the end of World War II.

The Big Idea

Problems in Europe led to World War II, the deadliest war in history.

The Great Depression

It was a global crisis in the 1930s.

Meaning of Dictator

A dictator is a ruler who has total control.

Most Famous Dictators

Below are descriptions of prominent dictators leading up to and during the war:

• Russia: Vladimir Lenin. He gained power in the 1917 Revolution and formed a communist government; he also created the Soviet Union.
• Joseph Stalin. He took power after Lenin’s death. He made all economic decisions, restricted religious worship, and spied on citizens.
• Italy: Benito Mussolini. He won control in 1920. He suspended basic rights like freedom of speech and trial by jury.
• Germany: Adolf Hitler. He won control in 1920. He suspended basic rights like freedom of speech and trial by jury.

Threats to Peace Leading to WWII

1. Italian and German aggression forced Europe into a Second World War.
2. In 1935, Italian troops invaded Ethiopia.
3. In 1938, Hitler annexed Austria to Germany's territory. Later, Hitler annexed Czechoslovakia.
4. On September 1, 1939, Germany attacked Poland. Great Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany. World War II had begun.

Alliances of World War II

• Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, and Japan.
• Allied Powers: Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States.

The Holocaust

The Holocaust was the attempt by the Nazi government during World War II to eliminate Europe’s Jews.

World War II Timeline: Key Events

(Note: The following events are listed as originally presented and are not in strict chronological order.)

1. September 1–3, 1939: German troops invaded Poland; Britain and France declared war.
2. June 22, 1940: France falls to German forces.
3. July–September, 1940: Germany bombs London during the Battle of Britain.
4. February 1945: Allied leaders plan the final defeat of the Axis Powers.
5. June 6, 1944: Allied forces launch the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France.
6. June 22, 1941: Germany launches the invasion of the Soviet Union.
7. April 1945: Allied troops begin liberation of Nazi concentration camps.
8. May 7, 1945: Germany surrenders to Allied Powers.

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