World War II was a conflict that lasted six years, from September 1, 1939 to August 8, 1945. The clash resulted in thousands of people dead, injured and missing.
The war was so named because it involved more than seventy countries on five continents. Although the conflict started in European territory, it ended up spreading to Asia, Africa and the Pacific Ocean.
How and when did World War II start?
The confrontation starts due to consequences left by the First World War, which took place between 1914 and 1918.
The beginning of World War II was due to interest in two areas that became Polish territory after World War I. These areas were the Port of Danzig (in the Baltic Sea region) and the "Polish corridor".
Thus, the beginning of World War II is marked by the invasion of poland, which took place on September 1, 1939. This fact was not the reason for the beginning of the conflict, but it was its trigger. The country was invaded by the German army, under the command of Adolf Hitler, who demanded the return of areas that had been lost during the First World War.
The motivations that led to the start of the war became known as german expansionism, as they were the country's attempts, under Hitler's orders, to expand the national territory.
Learn more about First World War.
Adolf Hitler in the invasion of Poland in September 1939.
The Second War took place between two alliances, formed by the countries allies (England, France, Soviet Union and United States) and by the countries of the Axle (Germany, Italy and Japan).
Historically, conflict can be divided into three phases:
From 1939 to 1941
Period called "Axis victories" (Germany, Japan and Italy). Germany suffered economic blockades by France and Great Britain.
It was also during this period that the German army invaded Holland and Belgium.
From 1941 and 1943
This is the "balance of forces". At this stage, the Soviet Union was invaded and the objective was to conquer territories such as Moscow and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg).
It was also during this period that the United States placed a trade blockade on Japan. In response, the country carried out a bombing of the American naval base in pearl harbor.
From 1943 to 1945
The final period of the war is called "Allied victory" (Soviet Union, Great Britain and United States). Brazil's entry into the war took place at this stage, in September 1944.
During these years, conflicts took place that eventually brought the conflict to its final period, such as Italy's declaration of war on Germany and the arrest of Nazis.
The Battle of Stalingrad (between July 1942 and February 1943), won by the Soviet Union, changed the course of the war for it demonstrated the strength of the Soviet army against the German. It is from this event that the German army begins to lose battle strength.
On June 6, 1943, the Allied army lands in the Normandy region, an event that became known as Day D and resulted in the liberation of France and the retreat of the German army.
the end of the war
The third phase marks the period of events that led to the end of the conflict. Italy's withdrawal from the conflict and the liberation of Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Czechoslovakia were the first developments.
Other important events linked to the end of the war were D-Day and the defeat of Germany.
Japan's surrender after the bombings is the last fact and marks the end of WWII, in September 1945.
Find out more details about the Day D.
World War II and atomic bombs
During World War II, two atomic bombs were dropped. In August 1945, the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, suffered devastating bombing.
The country was the only one that had not yet surrendered and was still in dispute with the United States. To force Japan's surrender, the American military chose to bomb the country.
The first bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945, the second was dropped on Nagasaki three days later on 9 August.
Hiroshima
The Hiroshima bomb, called the little boy, was launched approximately 500 meters above the city. Due to its high destructive power, it even killed people who were 1 km away from the explosion site.
It is estimated that approximately 140,000 city residents died in the attack or its aftermath. Hiroshima was devastated.
Hiroshima after the bombing (Image: Stanley Troutman).
The consequences of the bomb dropping have been felt for many years. Residents had serious physical and genetic sequelae caused by the effect of the radioactivity of the uranium 235 contained in the pump. Even today the city has a high rate of radioactivity.
Read more about radioactivity.
Nagasaki
Three days after the attack on Hiroshima, the city of Nagasaki was also the target of an atomic bomb, which was named the Fat Man. The aim of the attack remained the same: to force Japan to surrender.
About 70,000 people died in the attack, which left much of the city destroyed. After this bombing, on September 2, 1945, Japan surrendered.
As in Hiroshima, the serious effects of radioactivity (in this case of plutonium 239) also caused numerous consequences and persisted for decades after the attack.
Holocaust: the extermination of Jews
The Holocaust is the most significant event that took place during World War II. It was a extermination plan for the Jewish population in Europe, drafted by Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, which took place throughout the conflict.
Hitler believed that German citizens were part of a "race" superior to the rest, the Aryan race. Based on this thought - of belonging to a superior and pure race - he believed that Aryans should control the world, without mixing with other ethnic groups.
Therefore, it is known that the foundation of the holocaust was the anti-Semitism, this feeling of contempt and hatred towards the Jewish people.
It is important to know that although Jews were the main victims of the holocaust, other groups were also persecuted and killed.
It is believed that another 10 million people were also victims: gypsies, homosexuals, Poles, people with disabilities, communists, anarchists, among others.
understand more about Anti-Semitism and Nazism.
Auschwitz: the concentration camps
Auschwitz was the name chosen for the Nazi concentration camps (Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II - Birkenau) where most of the murders of Jews occurred during World War II.
The concentration camps, located in the city of Oświęcim (Poland), have been in operation for nearly five years. The killing of Jewish citizens in gas chambers was the most violent form of murder used by the Nazis.
Concentration camp Auschwitz I.
Read more about the Holocaust and meet 3 inspiring stories about this event.
Brazil's participation in World War II
Brazil participated in the final period of World War II, from September 1944. According to official data, 454 Brazilian soldiers were killed in the seven months the country's army was present in the confrontation.
During much of the conflict, the country, which at the time was under the command of President Getúlio Vargas, managed to maintain a neutral position, although he was pressured to abandon good relations with the government. German.
However, after suffering a maritime attack that killed hundreds of people, the country finally declared war on Italy and Germany in August 1942. This event marks the entry of Brazil into the conflict, in support to allies.
But it was only in July 1944 that Brazilian soldiers were sent to war. In July of that year, together with the American army, Brazilian soldiers fought until they managed to expel the German army from the country.
For Brazil's entry into the conflict, the American president at the time (Franklin Roosevelt) undertook to make a loan to finance the construction of the Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional, in addition to modernizing the Armed Forces Brazilian companies.
In exchange for that, Brazil ceded land to the United States in the city of Natal, in Rio Grande do Norte, where planes would take off for Europe. The base of Natal became known as the "Trampoline of Victory".
Aftermath of World War II
The consequences of World War II were felt in different aspects: social, political, economic and geographic
In relation to violence, it is known that it was a war of gigantic proportions. It is believed that approximately 45 million people were fatally victims in these years. In addition, another 35 million people were injured.
One of the most serious consequences of World War II was the extermination of over 6 million Jews, who were killed in concentration camps, under the orders of Adolf Hitler, who wanted to eliminate the population Jew. Most of these deaths occurred in concentration camps Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II - Birkenau, located in Poland.
After the end of the conflict, the world was divided between capitalist (United States) and socialist (Soviet Union) systems. In addition, the United States had its power strengthened in relation to other countries.
The economic consequences were felt by all who participated in the war, as the conflict cost more than a trillion dollars. The money spent on the war is no longer invested by governments in their respective countries.
Regarding geographical and political aspects, the main consequences were: Austria becomes independent from the Germany and Spain and Portugal are isolated due to dictatorial regimes (Frankism and Salazarism, respectively).
Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Yugoslavia and Romania started to adopt the republican regime.
See now a summary of World War II numbers:
| dead | 45 million |
|---|---|
| injured | 35 million |
| involved soldiers | 110 million |
| dead Jews | 6 million |
| Brazilian soldiers sent | 25 thousand |
| Brazilian soldiers killed | 454 |
| Countries involved | 72 |
| cost of war | 1 trillion and 385 billion dollars |
Consequences for Germany
Germany, especially, faced several consequences after the end of the war. The country was divided between socialist (German Democratic Republic) and capitalist (German Federal Republic) regimes.
It also went through some processes that were imposed by the war winners, the Allies: democratization of the country and disarmament and demilitarization.
Furthermore, it had to abandon the social characteristics and procedures that were adopted during Hitler's Nazi regime. This event was called denazification.
It also required some of the regime's leaders to face trial at the Nuremberg Court, the court. created especially to try the crimes committed by the country during the Second World War.
Also know some landmark events of WWII.