World War II was the largest armed conflict in human history, which began on September 1, 1939, with Nazi Germany's attack on Poland. The conflict quickly spread worldwide, involving most nations and claiming millions of lives. The war ended in 1945, fundamentally changing the world order.
World War II is one of the most tragic and pivotal conflicts in human history. This event forever changed the course of history, affecting the lives of millions of people and shaping the geopolitical landscape of the world.
Although many historians agree on the official start date of World War II, the topic still sparks discussions and controversies. Different perspectives and interpretations of the events leading to the outbreak of the conflict make the answer to the question "When did World War II begin?" not as straightforward as it might seem. In this article, we'll examine the key facts and dates that led to the global conflict.
Causes of World War II
#The outbreak of World War II was the result of a complex network of political, economic, and social factors. The culmination of these elements led to the largest conflict in human history.
The Treaty of Versailles and Its Consequences
#The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, significantly impacted the geopolitical situation in Europe. It imposed harsh sanctions on Germany, including:
- Loss of 13% of territory and 10% of population
- Limitation of army size to 100,000 soldiers
- Prohibition of heavy weapons and naval fleet
- Obligation to pay enormous war reparations
These restrictions created a sense of humiliation in Germany and a desire for revenge, which became fuel for radical ideologies.
The Rise of Nazism in Germany
#The economic crisis of the 1920s and 1930s created conditions conducive to the development of Nazism in Germany. Key factors included:
- Hyperinflation in 1923, leading to the impoverishment of society
- The Great Depression of 1929, resulting in 6 million unemployed
- Increase in NSDAP support from 2.6% in 1928 to 37.3% in 1932
- Appointment of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of Germany in 1933
Nazi ideology of expansionism and racism, combined with aggressive foreign policy, became the direct cause of the outbreak of World War II.
Direct Events Leading to War
#The years 1938-1939 were crucial for the escalation of tensions in Europe. Germany's aggressive policy under Adolf Hitler's leadership led to a series of events that directly contributed to the outbreak of World War II.
Anschluss of Austria
#On March 12, 1938, German troops entered Austria, annexing it. The Anschluss, or the incorporation of Austria into the Third Reich, occurred without significant resistance from the international community. Hitler, utilizing support from Austrian Nazis, organized a plebiscite that officially approved the union of both states. This event significantly strengthened Germany's position in Central Europe and represented the first step in implementing Hitler's expansionist plans.
The Munich Agreement and Occupation of Czechoslovakia
#On September 29, 1938, the Munich Agreement was signed, forcing Czechoslovakia to cede the Sudetenland to Germany. The conference was attended by the leaders of Great Britain, France, Italy, and Germany, without the participation of Czechoslovak representatives. The agreement was meant to ensure "peace at any price," but in reality, it encouraged Hitler to take further aggressive actions. On March 15, 1939, German troops entered Prague, breaking the Munich Agreement's terms and occupying the remaining parts of Bohemia and Moravia. Slovakia was transformed into a German satellite state. These events made the world realize that the policy of appeasement toward Hitler had failed and would not stop his expansion.
September 1, 1939: Invasion of Poland
#On September 1, 1939, at 4:45 AM, the German invasion of Poland began, officially starting World War II in Europe. The attack on Poland, known as Fall Weiss (Case White), was the first stage of the German Blitzkrieg (lightning war) strategy.
German Attack on Westerplatte
#German Attack on Westerplatte
#The attack on Westerplatte marked the symbolic beginning of World War II. At 4:45 AM, the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein opened fire on the Polish transit depot at Westerplatte. A garrison of only 182 Polish soldiers under the command of Major Henryk Sucharski heroically defended the position for 7 days against vastly superior German forces. The defense of Westerplatte became a symbol of Polish resistance and heroism in the face of German aggression.
Poland's Response to Aggression
#The Polish army, despite significant disparity in forces, launched an immediate defense. President Ignacy Mościcki declared a state of war with Germany, and Commander-in-Chief Edward Śmigły-Rydz ordered general mobilization. The Polish armed forces, numbering about 1 million soldiers, resisted on many fronts, including the battles of Bzura, Mokra, and the defense of Warsaw. Despite the heroic stance of Polish soldiers, Germany's technological and numerical superiority quickly led to the collapse of Polish defense. On September 17, 1939, the Soviet Union attacked Poland from the east, implementing the secret protocol of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, which ultimately sealed Poland's fate in the first weeks of the war.
International Response to the Outbreak of War
#The outbreak of World War II triggered an immediate response from the international community. Countries worldwide had to take positions regarding Nazi Germany's aggression against Poland, which led to a series of declarations and diplomatic actions.
Declaration of War by Great Britain and France
#Great Britain and France, Poland's allies, responded to the German invasion on September 3, 1939. At 11:15 AM, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced in a radio address the state of war with Germany. France joined the war at 5:00 PM the same day. These declarations transformed the local conflict into a European war, although initially no significant military actions were taken against Germany.
Position of Other Nations
#The reactions of other countries to the outbreak of war varied:
- USA: President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared neutrality on September 5, 1939, but assured material support for the Allies.
- Italy: Benito Mussolini initially declared "non-belligerent cooperation" with Germany, not directly entering the war.
- Soviet Union: Signed the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact with Germany, maintaining neutrality until June 1941.
- Canada: Declared war on Germany on September 10, 1939, as the first British dominion.
- Japan: Remained neutral towards the European conflict, focusing on expansion in Asia.
These reactions shaped the initial balance of power in the war and influenced its further course.
Official Start Dates of World War II
#World War II officially began on different dates, depending on the region and perspective. These dates reflect the complexity of the conflict and its global scope.
European Perspective
#From the European point of view, September 1, 1939, is considered the official beginning of World War II. On that day at 4:45 AM, German forces crossed the Polish border, beginning the invasion. The attack on Westerplatte became the symbolic start of the conflict in Europe. On September 3, 1939, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany, expanding the conflict to a European scale.
Global Perspective
#In the global context, the start dates of World War II differ:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 7, 1937 | Marco Polo Bridge Incident - start of the Sino-Japanese War |
| September 1, 1939 | German invasion of Poland |
| December 7, 1941 | Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor - US entry into the war |
The Marco Polo Bridge Incident on July 7, 1937, which started the Sino-Japanese War, is considered by some historians as the beginning of World War II in Asia. Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, led to the United States entering the war, giving the conflict a truly global character.
Summary
#- World War II officially began on September 1, 1939, with Germany's attack on Poland.
- Key causes of the conflict include the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles and the rise of Nazism in Germany.
- Direct events leading to war include the Anschluss of Austria and Germany's occupation of Czechoslovakia.
- Great Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939.
- From a global perspective, the beginning of World War II is dated either July 7, 1937 (Sino-Japanese War) or December 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor attack).
Summary
#World War II began in Europe on September 1, 1939, with Germany's attack on Poland. However, its roots go deeper, encompassing complex political and social events of the 1930s. The conflict quickly spread to other countries, transforming into a global war. Different historical perspectives point to various dates for the war's beginning depending on the world region.
Regardless of the accepted date, World War II remains one of the most tragic and pivotal events in human history. Its effects are still felt today, influencing the contemporary geopolitical order.