World War 2

World War 2 was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and involved most of the countries
of the world, divided into two opposing alliances: the Allies and the Axis. It was the most destructive
and deadliest war in history, with an estimated 50 to 80 million people killed. It also had a profound
impact on the political, social, and economic order of the world. Here is a long note that explains
some of the main aspects of World War 2:
• World War 2 was caused by a combination of factors, such as the unresolved issues of World
War 1, the rise of fascism and totalitarianism in Europe and Asia, the economic crisis of the
Great Depression, the expansionist ambitions of Germany, Italy, and Japan, and the
appeasement and isolationism of the democratic powers. The war is generally considered to
have begun on September 1, 1939, when Nazi Germany, under Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland,
triggering the declaration of war by Britain and France. The war soon spread to other regions,
such as Scandinavia, the Balkans, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific. The war also
involved the Soviet Union, which initially signed a non-aggression pact with Germany, but
later joined the Allies after being attacked by Germany in June 1941. The war also involved
the United States, which initially remained neutral, but later joined the Allies after being
attacked by Japan at Pearl Harbor in December 19411
• World War 2 was characterized by the use of new technologies and strategies that increased
the scale and intensity of the warfare. Some of the innovations that were introduced or
developed during the war were radar, sonar, rockets, missiles, jet engines, atomic bombs, and
electronic computers. The war also saw the development of new forms of warfare, such as
blitzkrieg, strategic bombing, amphibious landing, island hopping, and guerrilla warfare. The
war also witnessed the first and only use of nuclear weapons, when the United States
dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, in August 1945, forcing Japan
to surrender2
• World War 2 had a significant influence on the political and social changes that occurred in
the aftermath of the war. The war resulted in the emergence of two superpowers: the United
States and the Soviet Union, which entered a state of Cold War that lasted for several
decades. The war also led to the creation of the United Nations, which was the first global
organization that aimed to maintain international peace and security, and to promote
cooperation and human rights. The war also paved the way for the decolonization and
independence of many countries in Asia and Africa, such as India, Pakistan, Indonesia,
Vietnam, and Algeria. The war also stimulated the growth of various movements and
ideologies, such as democracy, communism, nationalism, and liberalism. The war also
sparked the emergence of new conflicts and tensions, such as the Arab–Israeli conflict, the
Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis3
• World War 2 ended with the unconditional surrender of Germany on May 8, 1945, and of
Japan on September 2, 1945, after the atomic bombings. The war was followed by a series of
conferences and treaties that aimed to establish a new world order and to prevent future
wars. The main agreements were the Yalta Conference, the Potsdam Conference, the San
Francisco Conference, the Nuremberg Trials, and the Paris Peace Treaties. The agreements
dealt with various issues, such as the division and occupation of Germany, the creation of the
United Nations, the formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact, the prosecution of war
criminals, and the reparations and territorial adjustments of the defeated countries. However,
the agreements also had many flaws and shortcomings, such as creating new sources of
conflict and resentment, and failing to address the root causes of the war. The agreements
 World War 2
are widely regarded as one of the main causes of the Cold War, which began soon after the
end of World War 2.