The Second World War: An Historical Overview

The Second World War lasted from 1939 to 1945, changing the political, social and economic architecture of the world. This conflict involved many countries around the world, which were divided into two main alliances: the Allies and the Axis. In Europe, tensions increased after Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, violated the Treaty of Versailles by invading Poland on 1 September 1939, prompting a reaction from Britain and France who then declared war. One of the main factors causing the Second World War was German expansionism and Nazi ideology which emphasized racial superiority. Hitler attempted to expand Germany’s territory, sparking conflict in Europe. After Poland, Germany went on to invade Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France in 1940, the result being control of most of Western Europe. On the other hand, Japan, which had ambitions to expand its territory in Asia, invaded China in 1937. In an effort to control natural resources, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7 1941, which triggered the involvement of the United States in the war. US involvement brought major changes, with the mobilization of massive industrial and military resources, giving the Allies new power. One of the important moments in the Second World War was the Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943), which was a turning point on the Eastern front. The forces of the Soviet Union succeeded in repelling German forces, changing the course of the war in Europe. In this battle, both sides suffered heavy losses, but the Soviet success marked the beginning of their offensive towards Berlin. While Europe was in chaos, in the Pacific, fighting between the United States and Japan was fierce. The Battle of Midway (June 1942) was a crucial turning point, in which the US navy defeated the Japanese fleet, reversing Japanese dominance in the Pacific. With the victory at Midway, the Allies began planning a counterattack, including invasions of strategic islands such as Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The war in Europe ended on May 8, 1945, after Germany surrendered unconditionally. However, the conflict in the Pacific continued until August 1945. The US relied heavily on the use of nuclear weapons to quickly end the war, dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, which resulted in heavy casualties and ultimately prompted Japan to surrender on August 15, 1945. The Second World War left a deep impact. More than 70 million people died and many countries were destroyed. Rebuilding after the war gave rise to international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) to prevent similar conflicts in the future. This war also prompted the beginning of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, which divided the world into two opposing political blocs. Thus, the Second World War was a chapter in human history that demonstrated the consequences of totalitarianism, expansionism and extreme nationalism, while encouraging global reflection on war, human rights and international cooperation.