Major Events of World War II

World War II began in Europe with Germany’s invasion of Poland. In essence, part of the war was already under way in the Pacific as China fought to defend itself from Japanese aggression. As a result of the war, the world's major powers divided into two competing alliances - the Axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan versus the Allied powers of Great Britain, the United States, China and the Soviet Union.

These alliances weren't in place at the beginning of the war. Remember that the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact with Germany. The U.S. wouldn't enter the war until Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941, but America supported the efforts of the Allies before then. Although France was part of the early efforts to control Germany's aggressions, the country didn't play a large role in the war after the country was defeated by Germany and the government replaced with one supported by Hitler.

With between 40 and 50 million people killed as a result of the conflict, it remains by far the most devastating war humanity has ever experienced. Let's take a look at the major events of the conflict as they took place around the globe.

Essential Questions

• What were the major events of World War II?
• Who were the major leaders of World War II?