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Axis alliance, 1939-1941

Axis alliance, 1939-1941 [LCID: eur66790]

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World War II and the Holocaust

The Holocaust was the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, between 1933 and 1945. Jews were the primary victims - six million were murdered. Roma (Gypsies), physically and mentally disabled people and Poles were also targeted for destruction or decimation for racial, ethnic, or national reasons. Millions more, including homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, Soviet prisoners of war, and political dissidents also suffered grievous oppression and death under Nazi tyranny.

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German invasion of Poland, September 1939

German invasion of Poland, September 1939 [LCID: pol81270]

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Eastern Europe after the German-Soviet Pact, 1939-1940

Eastern Europe after the German-Soviet Pact, 1939-1940 [LCID: eeu71060]

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Soviet annexations in eastern Europe, 1939-1940

Soviet annexations in eastern Europe, 1939-1940 [LCID: eeu71020]

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German conquests in Europe, 1939-1942

German conquests in Europe, 1939-1942 [LCID: eur86810]

In World War II, Germany sought to defeat its opponents in a series of short campaigns in Europe. Germany quickly overran much of Europe and was victorious for more than two years. Germany defeated and occupied Poland (attacked in September 1939), Denmark (April 1940), Norway (April 1940), Belgium (May 1940), the Netherlands (May 1940), Luxembourg (May 1940), France (May 1940), Yugoslavia (April 1941), and Greece (April 1941). Yet Germany did not defeat Great Britain, which was protected from German ground attack by the English Channel and the Royal Navy. On June 22, 1941, German forces suddenly invaded the Soviet Union. But Germany proved unable to defeat the Soviet Union, which together with Great Britain and the United States turned the tide of battle and ultimately defeated Germany in May 1945.

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German invasion of western Europe, 1940

German invasion of western Europe, 1940 [LCID: fra86100]

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German invasion of Denmark and Norway, 1940

German invasion of Denmark and Norway, 1940 [LCID: sca86030]

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Invasion of the Balkans, April 1941

Invasion of the Balkans, April 1941 [LCID: yug86130]

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Invasion of the Soviet Union, 1941-1942

Invasion of the Soviet Union, 1941-1942 [LCID: eeu86710]

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Defeat of Nazi Germany, 1942-1945

Defeat of Nazi Germany, 1942-1945 [LCID: eur86820]

Beginning in 1938, the Nazis increased their territorial control outside of Germany. By 1942, three years into World War II, Nazi Germany reached the peak of its expansion. At the height of its power, Germany had incorporated, seized, or occupied most of the continent. However, also in 1942, the Allied Powers started to systematically bomb Germany. They would continue to do so until Germany's surrender in 1945, weakening the war effort and demolishing cities.

Slowly, the Allied Powers began pushing Germany back towards prewar boundaries. From 1942 to 1943, Nazi Germany suffered battle and territory losses in the Soviet Union and North Africa. With the Soviets on the offensive, German troops were pushed westward, gradually losing control of the Eastern Front. In July 1943, the Allied Powers landed in Italy, pushing German troops north. Rome was liberated in June, 1944. That same month, other Allied divisions landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, pushing German troops east. By the end of 1944, the Allies had liberated a majority of Axis territories occupied during the war. 

In early 1945, Allied troops entered Germany. By mid-April, the Soviets had encircled the German capital of Berlin. On April 30, 1945, Adolf Hitler killed himself. The German armed forces surrendered unconditionally in the west on May 7 and in the east on May 9, 1945, bringing an end World War II in Europe. 

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Battle of Berlin, April 1945

Battle of Berlin, April 1945 [LCID: ber99060]

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Articles that Reference This Item

German troops on the move during an anti-partisan operation.
Article World War II: In Depth

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