World War II

World War II

Over 68 years ago there was a war that came to be known as World War II. It was not only one of the greatest wars in history but one of the most destructive. On September 1, 1939 this war started out and didn’t end until 6 long and bloody years of total war in 1945. The war started 6 years after the Weimer Republic ended. This war was between Germany, Italy and Japan on one side with Britain, the Soviet Union and the United States on the other. Germany invaded Poland without warning and by the evening of September 3rd Britain and France were at war with Germany. Within a week of that Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa had joined into the war. It was basically conducted primarily on the European continent, World War II included gigantic struggles not only in Europe but in Asia, Africa, and the far-flung islands of the pacific as well. Portugal was neutral but helped the Allied by letting them have use to their air and naval bases. Ireland did not want to admit to the public that they were pro allies when they were meant to be neutral. Sweden was neutral and then decided in the late part of the war to trade with Germany. Switzerland also traded with Germany. Due to American pressure all of the states in South America helped the Allies. More than 17 million members of the armed forces of the various belligerents perished during the conflict. On land, sea and in the air, Poles fought Germans, Italians fought American and Japanese fought Australians in a conflict which was finally settled with the use of nuclear weapons. World War II involved every major world power in a war for global domination and at its end, more than 60 million people had lost their lives and most of Europe and large parts of Asia lay in ruins. Its conduct strained the economic capabilities of the major nation and left many countries on the edge of collapse! Many, many Lebensraum were damaged.