The Second World War 1939-1945

The main culprits of the Second World War were three states: fascist Germany and Italy and militarist Japan, the so-called “Axis powers”. The war drew 61 states with about 1 700 000 000 (1.7 billion) people into its orbit. It was fought in Europe, Asia, North Africa and on almost all seas and oceans. About 110 000 000 (110 million) soldiers were under arms. As a result of the war about 55 000 000 (55 million) people lost their lives and about 35 000 000 (35 million) were wounded. The direct expenditure on it was enormous, about 1 154 000 000 000 $ (1.154 trillion dollars), and the material losses were estimated at 260 000 000 000 $ (260 billion dollars).

Course of the war:

1. 1.9.1939Beginning of the Second World War – invasion of Poland.
2. 3.9.1939France and Great Britain declare war on Germany.
3. 17.9.1939The USSR invades Poland from the east, linking up with the German troops on the Bug.
4. 9.4.1940Germany carries out the plan “Fall Weserübung” – occupies Denmark and Norway.
5. 10.5.1940Germany carries out the plan “Fall Gelb” – occupies Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and France.
6. 16.7.1940Germany carries out the plan “Seelöwe” – the plan to invade Great Britain.
7. 27.9.1940
   “Tripartite (Berlin) Pact” – Germany, Italy, Japan; joined by:

   • 20.11.1940 – Hungary
   • 23.11.1940 – Romania
   • 24.11.1940 – Slovakia
   • 1.3.1941 – Bulgaria
   • 25.3.1941 – Yugoslavia (withdrew on 27.3.1941)
8. 17.4.1941Germany carries out the plan “Fall Marita” – capitulation of Yugoslavia and Greece, airborne landing on the island of Crete.
9. 22.6.1941“Plan Barbarossa” – Germany invades the USSR.
10. 5.7.1943Change in the direction of movement of the German troops. Battle of Kursk.
11. 28.11. to 1.12.1943“Tehran Conference”
12. 8 to 9 May 1945Unconditional surrender of Germany. End of the war.
13. 17.7. to 2.8.1945
    “Potsdam Conference”. Conference of the heads of government:

    • Great Britain: W. Churchill, then C. Attlee
    • USA: H. Truman
    • USSR: J. V. Stalin.

The aim of the conference was to settle the problems connected with eliminating the consequences of the Second World War. New borders for Germany were established, and Silesia was placed under temporary Polish administration until a peace treaty could be signed.