The Second World War

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Lesson notes

The Outbreak of War

World War II is generally considered to have begun on 1 September 1939, when Nazi Germany, under Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland.
Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later, on 3 September 1939.
Poland was also invaded by the Soviet Union in mid-September 1939 and was partitioned between Germany and the Soviet Union under the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.
The causes of the war included unresolved tensions after World War I and the rise of fascism in Europe and militarism in Japan.
Key events before the war included Japan's invasion of Manchuria in 1931, the Spanish Civil War, the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, and Germany's annexations of Austria and the Sudetenland.

Blitzkrieg and the Fall of France

In 1940, Germany conquered Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
Blitzkrieg — 'lightning war' — was a fast, combined attack using tanks, aircraft and infantry to break through enemy defences quickly.
France fell in June 1940 after the German advance through the Low Countries and into French territory.
After the fall of France, the war continued mainly between Germany (now assisted by Fascist Italy) and the British Empire and British Commonwealth.

Dunkirk

Dunkirk was the evacuation of British and Allied soldiers from the beaches of northern France in late May and early June 1940.
It followed the rapid German advance that trapped Allied forces against the coast after the fall of France.
Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were rescued by naval vessels and civilian boats that crossed the English Channel.
The evacuation saved a large part of the British army to fight on, though most of its heavy equipment was left behind in France.

The Battle of Britain and the Blitz

The Battle of Britain was an aerial battle fought in the skies over Britain in the summer and autumn of 1940.
It was fought between the German Luftwaffe and the Royal Air Force (RAF), with British pilots including many from across the Empire and occupied Europe.
The Blitz was the German bombing campaign against British cities, especially London, from September 1940 onwards.
The Blitz caused heavy civilian casualties and damage to housing, factories and transport, but did not break British morale.

Evacuation and the Home Front

Evacuation moved children and other civilians from cities at risk of bombing to safer rural areas.
Rationing limited the amount of food, clothing and other goods people could buy, to share scarce supplies fairly.
The home front included air-raid precautions such as blackouts, air-raid shelters, and the work of the Home Guard and fire and rescue services.
Women took on many jobs in factories, transport and farming to replace men serving in the armed forces.
People from across the British Empire contributed to the war effort, both in the armed forces and in supplying food, materials and labour.

The War in the East and the Pacific

In June 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union, opening the Eastern Front.
In December 1941, Japan attacked American and British territories in Asia and the Pacific, including Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
The attack on Pearl Harbor led the United States to enter the war against the Axis.
Japan conquered much of coastal China and Southeast Asia, but its advances in the Pacific were halted in June 1942 at the Battle of Midway.
In early 1943, Axis forces were defeated in North Africa and at Stalingrad in the Soviet Union.

Turning Points and D-Day

An Allied invasion of Italy in July 1943 resulted in the fall of its fascist regime.
In 1944, the Western Allies invaded France at Normandy — D-Day — opening a new front in Western Europe.
After D-Day, the Soviet Union advanced into Central Europe from the east.
Japan also suffered major setbacks, including the crippling of its navy by the United States, the loss of key Western Pacific islands, and defeats in Burma.

The End of the War in Europe

The war in Europe concluded with the liberation of German-occupied territories and an invasion of Germany itself.
The invasion culminated in the fall of Berlin.
Germany surrendered unconditionally on 8 May 1945 — Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

The Atomic Bombs and the End of the War in Asia

On 6 and 9 August 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
This was followed by a Soviet invasion of Japanese-occupied Manchuria.
Japan announced its unconditional surrender on 15 August 1945 — V-J Day.
Japan signed a formal surrender document on 2 September 1945, officially ending the war in Asia.

The Impact of the War

World War II was the deadliest conflict in history, causing the deaths of 60 to 75 million people, a majority of whom were civilians.
Millions died as a result of massacres, starvation, disease, and genocides including the Holocaust.
After the Allied victory, Germany, Austria, Japan, and Korea were occupied, and German and Japanese leaders were tried for war crimes.
The United Nations was created to foster international cooperation and prevent future conflicts.
The Soviet Union and the United States emerged as rival superpowers, setting the stage for the Cold War.
The war triggered the decolonisation of Africa and Asia as the influence of Europe's great powers waned.

Slides

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Practice questions

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1.On what date did Nazi Germany invade Poland, the event generally considered to have begun the Second World War?
Easy
- A1 September 1939
- B3 September 1939
- C7 July 1937
- D18 September 1931
2.Which two countries declared war on Germany two days after its invasion of Poland?
Medium
- AThe United Kingdom and France
- BThe United States and the Soviet Union
- CItaly and Japan
- DChina and the Soviet Union
3.In which month and year did France fall to Germany?
Easy
- AJune 1940
- BSeptember 1939
- CJuly 1941
- DMay 1945
4.Which country did Germany invade in June 1941, opening the Eastern Front?
Easy
- AThe Soviet Union
- BPoland
- CFrance
- DItaly
5.Which event led the United States to enter the war against the Axis?
Medium
- AJapan's attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii
- BGermany's invasion of the Soviet Union
- CThe fall of France
- DThe Battle of Midway
6.Which battle in June 1942 halted Japan's advances in the Pacific?
Medium
- AThe Battle of Midway
- BThe Battle of Britain
- CThe Battle of Stalingrad
- DThe Battle of the Atlantic
7.In which year did the Western Allies invade France at Normandy, opening a new front?
Medium
- A1944
- B1940
- C1942
- D1945
8.On which date did Germany surrender unconditionally, ending the war in Europe?
Easy
- A8 May 1945
- B15 August 1945
- C2 September 1945
- D6 August 1945

Revision notes

## The Second World War (1939–1945) **What it was:** A global conflict between the **Allies** and the **Axis powers**. Nearly every country took part; many fought **total war** on an unprecedented scale. It was the **deadliest conflict in history**, causing **60–75 million deaths**, most of them civilians. Millions died from massacres, starvation, disease and genocides including **the Holocaust**. **How it began:** Causes included unresolved tensions after **World War I** and the rise of **fascism** in Europe and **militarism** in Japan. Key earlier events: Japan's invasion of **Manchuria (1931)**, the **Spanish Civil War**, the **Second Sino-Japanese War (1937)**, and Germany's annexations of **Austria** and the **Sudetenland**. The war is generally dated from **1 September 1939**, when Nazi Germany under **Adolf Hitler** invaded **Poland**; Britain and France declared war two days later. The **Soviet Union** also invaded Poland in mid-September, and Poland was partitioned under the **Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact**. **1939–1941:** In 1940 the USSR annexed the **Baltic states** and parts of Finland and Romania. Germany conquered **Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands**. After the **fall of France (June 1940)**, fighting continued mainly between Germany (helped by Fascist Italy) and the British Empire and Commonwealth: the **Balkans, Mediterranean, Middle East, East Africa**, the aerial **Battle of Britain**, the **Blitz**, and the naval **Battle of the Atlantic**. By mid-1941 Yugoslavia and Greece had been defeated. In **June 1941** Germany invaded the Soviet Union, opening the **Eastern Front**. **1941–1943:** In **December 1941** Japan attacked American and British territories, including **Pearl Harbor**, bringing the **United States** into the war. Japan conquered much of coastal China and Southeast Asia, but was halted at the **Battle of Midway (June 1942)**. In early **1943** Axis forces were defeated in **North Africa** and at **Stalingrad**. The Allied invasion of **Italy (July)** toppled its fascist regime. **1944–1945:** In **1944** the Western Allies invaded France at **Normandy (D-Day)**, opening a new front, while the USSR advanced into Central Europe. Japan suffered major setbacks, including the crippling of its navy, the loss of key Western Pacific islands, and defeats in **Burma**. Germany surrendered unconditionally on **8 May 1945 (V-E Day)** after the fall of Berlin. On **6 and 9 August 1945** the US dropped **atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki**, followed by a Soviet invasion of Japanese-occupied Manchuria. Japan announced surrender on **15 August (V-J Day)** and signed on **2 September 1945**. **Aftermath:** Germany, Austria, Japan and Korea were occupied; German and Japanese leaders were tried for **war crimes**. The **United Nations** was created, with China, France, the USSR, the UK and the US as permanent Security Council members. The **USSR and USA emerged as rival superpowers**, setting the stage for the **Cold War**. Europe's influence waned, triggering **decolonisation** in Africa and Asia. **Key dates:** 1 Sep 1939 invasion of Poland · Jun 1940 fall of France · Jun 1941 invasion of USSR · Dec 1941 Pearl Harbor · Jun 1942 Midway · 1943 Stalingrad · 1944 D-Day · 8 May 1945 V-E Day · 6 & 9 Aug 1945 atomic bombs · 15 Aug 1945 V-J Day · 2 Sep 1945 formal surrender.

Allies: The coalition that fought the Axis powers, including the British Empire and Commonwealth, the Soviet Union, and the United States.
Axis powers: The coalition led by Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Japan that fought the Allies.
Total war: War on an unprecedented scale in which nearly all of a country's resources and population are mobilised.
Blitzkrieg: A fast, aggressive form of warfare used by Germany; it helped bring about the fall of France in June 1940.
Dunkirk: The evacuation of Allied troops from France in 1940 after the German advance; part of the fighting that followed the fall of France.
Battle of Britain: The aerial battle fought over Britain in 1940 between Germany and the British Empire and Commonwealth.
The Blitz: The German bombing campaign against British cities during the war.
Evacuation: The movement of people, especially children, away from cities to safer areas during the Blitz.
Home front: The civilian side of the war effort, including rationing and other changes to daily life in Britain.
Rationing: The controlled sharing out of scarce food and goods on the home front.
Battle of the Atlantic: The naval struggle between Germany and the British Empire and Commonwealth for control of Atlantic shipping.
Eastern Front: The theatre of war opened when Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941.
Pearl Harbor: The Japanese attack on the US naval base in Hawaii in December 1941, which led the United States to enter the war.
Battle of Midway: The June 1942 battle in which Japan's advances in the Pacific were halted.
Stalingrad: The Soviet city where Axis forces were defeated in early 1943.
D-Day: The 1944 Allied invasion of France at Normandy, which opened a new front in Western Europe.
V-E Day: 8 May 1945, when Germany surrendered unconditionally, ending the war in Europe.
Atomic bombs: The nuclear weapons dropped by the United States on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 1945.
V-J Day: 15 August 1945, when Japan announced its unconditional surrender; the formal surrender was signed on 2 September 1945.
Holocaust: The genocide of Jews and others carried out by Nazi Germany, one of the genocides in which millions died during the war.
Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact: The agreement under which Poland was partitioned between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in September 1939.
United Nations: The international organisation created after the war to foster cooperation and prevent future conflicts; China, France, the Soviet Union, the UK and the US became permanent members of its Security Council.
Cold War: The rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States as superpowers that followed the Second World War.
Decolonisation: The ending of European empires in Africa and Asia, triggered as Europe's great powers lost influence after the war.

Flashcards

When did World War II begin in Europe, and what event marked its start?

It began on 1 September 1939 when Nazi Germany, under Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later.

What was Blitzkrieg?

Blitzkrieg means 'lightning war' – a fast, surprise attack using tanks, aircraft and infantry together to break through enemy lines quickly.

What happened at Dunkirk in 1940?

After Germany invaded France, British and French troops were trapped at Dunkirk. A huge rescue operation evacuated over 300,000 soldiers to Britain using naval and civilian boats.

When did France fall to Germany, and what was the result?

France fell in June 1940. Germany occupied northern France, and a collaborationist regime was set up in the south.

What was the Battle of Britain?

It was an aerial battle fought in 1940 between the German Luftwaffe and the British Royal Air Force. Britain's victory prevented a German invasion.

What was the Blitz?

The Blitz was the German bombing campaign against British cities from September 1940 to May 1941. It caused widespread destruction and many civilian deaths.

Why were children evacuated during the war?

Children were evacuated from cities to the countryside to protect them from German bombing raids. This was known as Operation Pied Piper.

What was rationing and why was it introduced?

Rationing limited the amount of food and goods people could buy. It was introduced to ensure fair distribution during wartime shortages.

What was the Home Front?

The Home Front refers to the civilian population's contribution to the war effort, including working in factories, growing food, and joining civil defence organisations.

What was the significance of the Battle of Stalingrad?

Fought in 1942–1943, it was a major turning point on the Eastern Front. The Soviet Union defeated Germany, marking the beginning of the Axis retreat.

What was the Battle of Midway?

In June 1942, the United States defeated Japan in a major naval battle in the Pacific. It halted Japanese expansion and was a turning point in the Pacific War.

What was D-Day?

On 6 June 1944, the Western Allies invaded Normandy, France, opening a new front against Germany. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history.

When did Germany surrender in World War II?

Germany surrendered unconditionally on 8 May 1945, after the fall of Berlin. This is known as V-E Day.

What were the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

On 6 and 9 August 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on these Japanese cities. They caused massive destruction and led to Japan's surrender.

When did Japan surrender, ending World War II?

Japan announced its surrender on 15 August 1945 (V-J Day) and signed the formal surrender document on 2 September 1945.

How did people from across the British Empire contribute to the war?

Millions of soldiers and workers from across the Empire, including India, Africa, and the Caribbean, fought and provided vital resources for the Allied war effort.

What was the Holocaust?

The Holocaust was the genocide of six million Jews and millions of others by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during World War II.

What was the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact?

It was a non-aggression treaty signed between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939. It included a secret agreement to divide Poland between them.

Why did the United States enter World War II?

Japan attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. The United States declared war on Japan the next day, entering the war.

What was the Battle of the Atlantic?

It was a long naval campaign fought throughout the war. Germany used U-boats to attack Allied supply ships, aiming to cut off Britain's supplies.

What was the significance of the Allied invasion of Italy in 1943?

It led to the fall of Mussolini's fascist regime and opened a new front in Europe. Italy later surrendered and joined the Allies.

What was the Eastern Front?

The Eastern Front was the theatre of war between Germany and the Soviet Union. It saw some of the largest and deadliest battles of the war.

What was the role of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the Battle of Britain?

The RAF defended British airspace against the German Luftwaffe. Its success in the battle prevented Germany from gaining air superiority.

What was Operation Overlord?

Operation Overlord was the code name for the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day. It was the largest amphibious invasion in history.

What was the impact of World War II on the world?

It transformed global politics and led to the creation of the United Nations. The United States and Soviet Union emerged as superpowers, setting the stage for the Cold War.

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