World War II took place in two different areas of the world roughly at the same time - It began in 1937 in the Asian-Pacific Theater between the Japanese Empire and its first enemy in Asia: China.
Later on, World War II in the Asian Theater spread to become the Asian-Pacific Theatre because the fighting spread from Asia to vast areas of the Pacific Ocean basin as the Japanese sought to enlarge their empire by seizing more and more territories and colonies all over the Pacific.
But then, there was also another World War II taking place at the same time - in Europe - the European Theater - this World War II took place between two blocs or alliances of nations - Italy and Nazi Germany were allied together as the European Axis countries or Axis Powers. Japan was the Asian Axis ally of the European Axis Powers.
In the European Theater of World War II, these two fought against the Allied Powers which was pretty much just about everybody else in Europe except for Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, and Turkey - these few countries managed to stay out of the war.
These neutral countries, although they didn't directly participate in the fighting, such as Spain, Portugal, and to a lesser extent Sweden, and Turkey were on friendly political terms with the Axis. Sweden sold iron ore to Germany and Turkey sold chrome to Germany.
Spain's government under General Francisco Franco was in power, thanks to military and economic help from both Germany and Italy when he was struggling to win the Spanish Civil War.
The sole aim of this article is to help people understand the order of events and dates and places as they happened in these two separate areas where World War II was fought.
Later on, World War II in the Asian Theater spread to become the Asian-Pacific Theatre because the fighting spread from Asia to vast areas of the Pacific Ocean basin as the Japanese sought to enlarge their empire by seizing more and more territories and colonies all over the Pacific.
But then, there was also another World War II taking place at the same time - in Europe - the European Theater - this World War II took place between two blocs or alliances of nations - Italy and Nazi Germany were allied together as the European Axis countries or Axis Powers. Japan was the Asian Axis ally of the European Axis Powers.
In the European Theater of World War II, these two fought against the Allied Powers which was pretty much just about everybody else in Europe except for Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, and Turkey - these few countries managed to stay out of the war.
These neutral countries, although they didn't directly participate in the fighting, such as Spain, Portugal, and to a lesser extent Sweden, and Turkey were on friendly political terms with the Axis. Sweden sold iron ore to Germany and Turkey sold chrome to Germany.
Spain's government under General Francisco Franco was in power, thanks to military and economic help from both Germany and Italy when he was struggling to win the Spanish Civil War.
The sole aim of this article is to help people understand the order of events and dates and places as they happened in these two separate areas where World War II was fought.
World War II in Asia and the Pacific or the War against the Japanese
Escalating the Asian War from a war between two Asian countries to a full-scale world war in both Asia and the Pacific
In Asia, World War II began in 1937 as a conflict between China and Japan only. It stayed a conflict between these two countries strictly until the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and a number of Asian countries and islands in the Pacific that were colonies of Great Britain, the Netherlands, and France as well as the Philippines which at this time an area controlled by the American military.
After Pearl Harbor, after December 7, 1941, it’s full-fledged World War II in Asia and also in the Pacific. It's Asian because the Japanese Empire fought against the Chinese who were their original enemies as of the year 1937.
It's also the Pacific because in the war between the Japanese and the British, the Americans, the New Zealanders, the Canadians, the Filipinos (as guerrillas), and the Australians - much of the combat took place in Pacific Islands in the open Pacific Ocean.
End of the War against the Japanese Empire
Also, near the end of the War in Asia and the Pacific, the Japanese got themselves
a brand new enemy: Russia or the Soviet Union – in addition to all the enemies
they already had that are listed above.
Officially, the period of World War II in Asia and the Pacific which began on December 7, 1941 with the attack against Pearl Harbor (against the Americans) lasted until September 2, 1945 when the representatives of the Japanese Government surrendered to the Allies on the American ship, USS Missouri.
Officially, the period of World War II in Asia and the Pacific which began on December 7, 1941 with the attack against Pearl Harbor (against the Americans) lasted until September 2, 1945 when the representatives of the Japanese Government surrendered to the Allies on the American ship, USS Missouri.
For the Americans, September 2, 1945 is known as Victory over Japan Day
or VJ Day.
However, because it was announced on August 15, 1945 that the Japanese now agreed to surrender, the British celebrate VJ Day on April 15, 1945 instead of September 2, 1945 which is the day in which the surrender ceremony in Japan took place. This explains the War against the Japanese.
However, because it was announced on August 15, 1945 that the Japanese now agreed to surrender, the British celebrate VJ Day on April 15, 1945 instead of September 2, 1945 which is the day in which the surrender ceremony in Japan took place. This explains the War against the Japanese.
World War II in Europe or the War against the European Axis
Beginning of World War II in Europe
The War in Europe, the War against Germany and Italy,
physically began on September 1, 1939 when the Germans invaded Poland.
So far, for the first two days, it’s a war strictly between Nazi Germany and Poland.
At this time, the Axis Powers in this War are Nazi Germany
or just Germany, Italy, and Russia which is an ally of Germany because of a
special treaty both countries signed: the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Treaty in
which both countries made a special deal to carve up Eastern Europe between
them. So far, for the first two days, it’s a war strictly between Nazi Germany and Poland.
Including Poland.
The Soviets invaded Eastern Poland on September 17, 1939, two weeks after the
Germans invaded it from the west side.
Escalating the European war from a war between two countries to a full-scale world war
Two days later, both Great Britain and France issue an ultimatum to Germany: Get out of Poland or else there’s war between Germany versus England and France united.
The Germans did not comply with the ultimatum so both Great Britain and France declared war against Germany.
Also Canada, New Zealand,
Australia which are allies of Britain all declare war against Germany but not
against Russia.
Russia is at this point still the ally of Germany. Italy is also the ally of Germany. But then Great Britain and France declared war against Germany only even though Russia is an ally of Germany and even help split up and occupy half of Poland.
Italy declared war against England and France the following year, in 1940.
Russia is at this point still the ally of Germany. Italy is also the ally of Germany. But then Great Britain and France declared war against Germany only even though Russia is an ally of Germany and even help split up and occupy half of Poland.
Italy declared war against England and France the following year, in 1940.
Nazi Germany then betrays Russia (also known as the Soviet
Union) on June 22, 1941.
This betrayal, in the form of a military invasion of Russia by both German and Italian armed forces, turns Russia from ally of Germany into enemy of Germany and at the same time into an ally of Great Britain and France.
This betrayal, in the form of a military invasion of Russia by both German and Italian armed forces, turns Russia from ally of Germany into enemy of Germany and at the same time into an ally of Great Britain and France.
Up to now, the United States
which is helping Great Britain and also now, Russia, but only with military
supplies and equipment and financial loans, is still a neutral country.
After the Japanese attack against Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 – Germany and Italy both declare war on the United States so now the United States becomes an enemy of Germany, Italy, and Japan – all three of them at the same time.
After the Japanese attack against Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 – Germany and Italy both declare war on the United States so now the United States becomes an enemy of Germany, Italy, and Japan – all three of them at the same time.
This
inclusion of the United States into this war now makes the United States a
military partner and ally of Great Britain and Russia, and all the other
countries that are allied to Britain such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia,
etc.
The Allies: the United States, Russia, Great Britain along
with Canada, Australia, etc. – now begin to take back countries that were
occupied by Italy and Germany, including Italy herself.
Later, in 1944, the Allies take back France which had fallen
to Germany in 1940. Now France becomes one of the Allied Powers at war against
Germany.
Italy by now, pretty much can longer help Germany and so Germany pretty much fights alone as the only Axis Power in Europe.
Italy by now, pretty much can longer help Germany and so Germany pretty much fights alone as the only Axis Power in Europe.
The End of World War II in Europe
The war continues and Germany can no longer fight the Allies. The country itself is full of enemy soldiers. Even Berlin falls. So in the end, Hitler, the dictator of Germany kills himself on April 30, 1945.
On May 7, 1945, the German generals surrender to the Western Allies in the first of two surrender ceremonies. This first one takes place in Rheims, France.
The next day, there was a repeat German surrender ceremony Berlin
in which the Russians were also present to accept the German surrender. The Official
Victory in Europe Day is May 8, 1945.
In summary, if you want to know when World War II began and ended, you need to know which theater, European or Asian-Pacific is being asked about?
There were two World War II's being fought approximately at the same time and so the dates that apply for the European Theater don't apply for Asian-Pacific Theater -- and vice verse.
In summary, if you want to know when World War II began and ended, you need to know which theater, European or Asian-Pacific is being asked about?
There were two World War II's being fought approximately at the same time and so the dates that apply for the European Theater don't apply for Asian-Pacific Theater -- and vice verse.
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