World War 2
In all the major battles of the world, World War 2 is undisputedly the deadliest conflict in human history. It easily wiped out over 2.5% of the world population, killing over 70 million people, while simultaneously leaving approximately six hundred thousand wounded.
Causes
The unjust terms of the Treaty aroused a plethora of bitterness and resentment among the German citizens. It was then during this time of immense misery that Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazis, kickstarted an insurrection by appealing to nationalistic notions, brazenly swearing to avenge Germany and promising to return glory to their nation.
With the Nazis garnering increasing support, Hitler grew emboldened to carry out an illegal annexation of majority of the Eastern European countries. Hitler had understood right from the start that power and influence were crucial to preparing for a war, which he knew would inevitably break out. The Nazi aggression in Europe captured the full attention (with much apprehension) of Britain and France who, after the breakdown of a series of endless peace talks, reluctantly declared war against Germany when it invaded Poland on 1 September 1939.
Meanwhile in the Asia Pacific region, militarist Japan, spurred on by their desire to dominate Asia and gain resources for their fast-growing – albeit small – country, was well on its way to fulfilling its expansionist goals. It conquered several regions in China, starting with the invasion of Manchuria (now referred to as Northeast China) in 1931, and eventually zeroed in on Southeast Asia. At the same time the US, alarmed by these brash movements, hurried to restrain Japan’s incessant offenses.
Pearl Harbor
In July 1941, the United States imposed an oil embargo on Japan in an effort to weaken its military capability.
As such, Japan invaded Southeast Asian countries rich in resources, particularly the Dutch East Indies (now called Indonesia), as this would help provide resources to fuel its ongoing war with
China. However, rather than to conquer the islands immediately, which would undoubtedly amount to an attack by the US, the Japanese military government decided to carry out a preventive attack on
USA’S main naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It was a setback for the Americans, designed to disable them from interfering with Japan for a few months, thus giving Japan ample time to seize the
Dutch East Indies.
On the morning of 7 December 1941,
353 Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes ravaged the US navy base. While this surprise attack devastated American defense, it was also the last straw that pulled the “sleeping giant” directly into the war.
End of World War 2
As a form of retaliation and a means to end the war, the US sent two atomic bombs hightailing into Nagasaki and Hiroshima in August 1945. This left Japan torn between surrendering and subjecting more innocent people to suffering. The former followed. Likewise in Europe, the war saw its bitter end when German forces succumbed to the Western Allies and Soviet troops from Russia.
One of the most significant results of World War 2 was the formation of the United Nations on 24 October 1945. It is unarguably, a huge improvement over the League, and exists until today to oversee global peacekeeping operations.