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World War II was a global conflict that took place between 1939 and 1945, involving over 30 countries. The war resulted in immense casualties, including the Holocaust and the use of nuclear weapons. This article explores the reasons behind the war, its major events, and the role of women. It also discusses the weapons used during the war, such as tanks and the devastating impact of atomic bombs.
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World War II By Gerard, Kevin and Annie
About WW2 • WW2 took place between 1939 and 1945. • Also known as the Second World War. • More than 30 countries involved. • Two opposing forces Allies and Axis. • Allies – UK, USA, France, Soviet Union+others. • Axis – Germany, Japan and Italy+others.
Why it happened • It is said to have started because Germany invaded Poland on 2 Sep 1939 • Britain and France declared war on Germany after Hitler had refused to abort his invasion of Poland • It ended when Germany surrendered on 8 May 1945 followed by the Japanese surrender on 15 august 1945 following the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Casualties • WW2 was the deadliest conflict in human history. • An estimated total of 70-85 million people perished which was about 3% of the world population at the time. • It included massacres, the genocide of the Holocaust, strategic bombings, premeditated death from starvation and disease and the only use of Nuclear Weapons in a war.
Genocide Genocide is : Acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
Holocaust • The Germans led by Hitler were responsible for the Holocaust. • 6 million Jews killed, 2.7 million Polish and 4 million deemed “unworthy of life” mentally ill, disabled, prisoners of war and members of other religions.
Concentration Camps & Slave Labour • Nazi Germany maintained concentration camps to imprison POWs largest was Auschwitz. • They also had death camps to murder millions of Jews on an industrial scale. • They also extensively used forced labour. 12 million Europeans from German occupied countries were used as a slave work force in German agriculture & war economy.
Hitler • Adolf Hitler was a German politician & Leader of the Nazi party. • He rose to power as Chancellor of Germany in 1933 and then Fuhrer in 1934. • Fuhrer is a German word meaning Leader or Guide. • He was a dictator and started WW2 by invading Poland in September 1939.
Hitler • Born in Austria in 1913.
Important Events • Sept 1939 Hitler invades Poland causing France & UK to declare War. • 1941 Japan bombs Pearl Harbour causing USA to declare war and join with Allies. • June 1944 D-Day Allies land 24,000 soldiers on beaches at Normandy, France beginning to win the war. • 8 May 1945 Germany Surrenders. • 6 & 9 August 1945 Allies detonate Atomic Bomb over Hiroshima & Nagasaki. • 15 August 1945 Japan Surrenders.
Pearl Harbour • Pearl Harbour is a lagoon harbour, on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii. • In 1941 Hawaii was a territory of the USA and then became 50th State of America in 1959. • When Japan bombed the US Naval base in 1941 it directly brought the USA into WW2
D-Day • Allies landed 24,000 troops in Normandy. • D Day was codenamed Operation Neptune. • It was the largest seaborne invasion in history. • Took place on 6th June 1944 In Normandy, France. • Began the liberation of German occupied France for Nazi control and was the start of the Allied Victory.
Atomic Bombs • The first Nuclear Bomb exploded 2000 ft above Hiroshima. • This picture is of the mushroom cloud. • 80,000 people died instantly. • Many more died from the radiation afterwards totalling 90% of the city.
Celebrating the end of WW2 This is a very famous photo taken when the end the war was announced. Taken in Time Square, New York, this couple didn’t know each other before meeting during the celebrations that day!
Role of Women • Before WW2 women were housewives or do jobs suitable for women (nurses, maid, shop assistants) • When the men went to war in the army women took over their jobs as mechanics, engineers, tank drivers, building ships, factory workers making bombs and planes, air raid wardens, plumbers, driving fire engines and ambulances etc.
Weapons • The weapons used on land, sea & air in WW2 were vastly improved under the focus of the Scientific/tech communities with great advances made into the future of weaponry. • Automatic weapons became available and full rapid fire was introduced to cause the most devastation. • Also it was the first and only war in which Nuclear weapons were used.
WW2 Tank - Axis • The panzer IV was the workhorse of the German tank force during WW2. • It was the only tank to remain in production through out WW2.
WW2 Tanks - Allies • The M18 Hellcat was an American Tank destroyer of WW2. • This tank was also used in the Korean war. It was the fastest U.S. tank on the road.
