World War II
World War II was fought between the Allies and the Axis Powers. The Axis Powers were aligned with Germany.
A newspaper article addressing the start of WWII. Source: Oregon Journal
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A headline about Germany invading Poland. Source: Boston Evening Globe
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The war began when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. In response, Britain and France declared war on Germany 3 days later. Within a month, Poland was defeated. |
German troops marching through Warsaw, Poland after invading the nation on September 1, 1939 and starting World War II. Source: Getty Images
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“It is evil things that we will be fighting against—brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution—and against them I am certain that the right will prevail.” -Winston Churchill
German conquests in Europe, 1939-1942. Source: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
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On April 9, 1940, German forces invaded Norway and Denmark. Months later, France signed an armistice with Germany. This allowed Germany to occupy the northern half of France and permitted the establishment of a collaborationist regime. The spread of the Nazi regime throughout Europe eliminated the option for many European countries to become a safe haven for Jews. |
“Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt
After 55 million people died, the Allies won the war in 1945. WWII was the most detrimental war in history and it forced nations to encounter terrible losses.