History of Oceania

What was involvement in World War 2?

United States:

- Declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

- Joined the Allies in the war against the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan).

- Provided significant military, economic, and logistical support to its allies, particularly the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China.

- Led the invasion of Normandy (D-Day) in June 1944, which marked a major turning point in the war in Europe.

- Developed and used the atomic bomb, which led to the surrender of Japan in August 1945.

Soviet Union:

- Invaded Poland in September 1939, along with Germany, starting World War II.

- Signed a non-aggression pact with Germany (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact), but was invaded by Germany in June 1941 (Operation Barbarossa).

- Fought a massive and prolonged war against Germany on the Eastern Front, enduring significant casualties and devastation.

- Played a crucial role in defeating German forces, particularly at the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of Kursk.

United Kingdom:

- Declared war on Germany in September 1939, after the German invasion of Poland.

- Defeated Germany in the Battle of Britain in 1940, preventing a German invasion.

- Provided a base for Allied operations, including the D-Day landings.

- Played a key role in naval operations and the development of radar and other advanced technologies.

Germany:

- Initiated World War II with the invasion of Poland in September 1939.

- Gained control over much of Europe and North Africa through a series of rapid military victories.

- Invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, opening a massive front and turning the tide of the war.

- Suffered significant defeats in the Battle of Stalingrad, the Battle of Kursk, and the D-Day landings, leading to its eventual defeat.

Japan:

- Invaded China in 1937, starting the Second Sino-Japanese War.

- Attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor in December 1941, leading to the US entry into World War II.

- Occupied large parts of East and Southeast Asia, including Burma, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

- Suffered major naval defeats at the Battle of Midway and the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

- Faced intensified aerial bombing campaigns and ultimately surrendered after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.