Facts About World War II, The War That Changed History
We could all stand to learn a few more facts about World War II. It's one of the most pivotal events in human history.
When World War I ended, those that survived called it The Great War. They couldn't imagine another conflict that would bring so much suffering, so much death, to the world. Certainly not for a few centuries...
But of course, we know the truth: World War 2 involved almost every major nation in the world, including every great power. It made the first "Great War" seem positively small-potatoes. In a state of “total war,”
participants threw their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities into the effort, erasing the lines between military and civilian.
There were mass civilian casualties, most notably systemic genocide of the Jewish people, and the atomic bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
And in the aftermath, WWII's place in history is clear: with an estimated death toll of 50-85 million people, it remains by far the deadliest armed conflict of all-time.
It's a fascinating and terrible chapter in the human story. And with so much to learn, there's almost no-one who knows everything there is to know about this cataclysmic conflict.
So, without further ado, here's a few well-researched and interesting facts about World War 2.
World War 2 Facts
1. How Did World War 2 Begin?
After their defeat in World War 1, the Germans (reluctantly) signed the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. It remains a controversial agreement.
The terms resulted in Germany losing all overseas territory, ceding land to its neighbors, and suffering restrictions on the size of their army.
Many historians say the resulting economic damage and humiliation was exactly what led to World War II. In their opinion, the severely weakened German morale, along with mass poverty, created a perfect storm for extremism: years later, a certain maniacal tyrant, would use those conditions to convince the rabid German people it was time to go to war again.
The answer is of course, complicated. But for many experts, the beginnings of World War II lie at the end of World War I.
2. What Happened To Poor Poland
On September 1, 1939, German Führer (Supreme leader) Adolf Hitler launched a "surprise" invasion of Poland from the West. Why do we say it was a "surprise"? Because German forces had been assembling on the Polish border for months. There was almost no doubt that German leadership intended to invade eventually.
The aggressive, unwarranted attack on a neutral nation immediately showed Germany's true colors to the rest of Europe. Within days, Britain and France declared war on Germany, and World War II was underway.
3. Britain's First Failure
Neville Chamberlain was Prime Minister of Britain when WWII broke out. And in the eyes of many experts, much of the blame for Germany's early success in the war falls on him.
While Germany didn't attack Poland until 1939, the signs were there for more than a decade that the Germans were ready for war. Over the years, German leadership flagrantly ignored the terms of the Treaty of Versailles (that ended WWI), which, for example, forbid Germany from building its military capabilities. Meanwhile, Chamberlain and his government attempted to avoid war by making Hitler happy—a failed diplomatic strategy known as appeasement.
