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World War II (often abbreviated to WWII or WW2), also known as the Second World War, was a global war that last from 1938 to 1944.
The war in Europe[]
Invasion of Yugoslavia[]
World War II began 4 May 1938 with Italy and Bulgaria's invasion of Yugoslavia after high tensions due to Italy's claims on Kosovo, Montenegro and the Yugoslavian coast, and Bulgaria's claim on Macedonia. Due to Yugoslavia's defiance, the two nations invaded, and the United Kingdom and France came to Yugoslavia's defense three days after the start of the invasion. On day 4, Germany and Hungary entered the war on the side of the Italians. Yugoslavia capitulated on day 12, and was divided between the Independent State of Croatia, the General Governorate of Serbia and the Montenegrin Republic. At the same time, Italy, Germany and Hungary would split Slovenia, Hungary would annex Vojvodina, Italy would annex Kosovo and Bulgaria would annex Macedonia.
Norway joins the Axis Powers[]
During the Invasion of Yugoslavia, a state coup took place in Norway, in which Nasjonal Samling, a Norwegian Nazi party led by the former Minister of Defence, Vidkun Quisling, overthrew the Government of Norway. Shortly after Yugoslavia's capitulation, Norway joined the Axis.
Invasion of Denmark[]
The Invasion of Denmark was a short campaign. Norway invaded from the north, Germany invaded from the south. However, the effort put into this invasion was highly unnecessary. Denmark surrendered without a second thought after about 80 deaths at the Danish border, and was made a German occupation zone.
Around the Maginot Line[]
After the campaign in Denmark, Germany took advantage of the weakness of the Benelux nations to get around the highly reinforced Maginot Line of France. They would invade and occupy all of the Benelux countries with ease.
Invasion of France[]
The Invasion of France was a terrible and bloody engagement, to put it mildly. Germany, using Blitzkrieg, obliterated the French front after occupying the Benelux nations. Italy would also invade from the south, but not with much ease due to the mountain landscape. When the invasion was over, France would be split into an occupation zone in the north, and an independent zone in the south led by Marshal Philippe Pétain. This zone was commonly known as Vichy France, because its administrative center was the city of Vichy. Many French colonies would fall in the hands of the new Vichy government, but Syria, Indochina and many other valuable colonies remained with the government-in-exile.
Invasion of Poland[]
The Soviet Union invaded Poland in September of 1938. To honor the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and to cease the opportunity to reclaim their lost lands, Germany invaded from the west. After Poland surrendered, it was split between Germany and the Soviet Union. It would not be completely annexed, however. Hitler established the General Governorate of Poland after the German victory.
Germany claims Memelland[]
An ultimatum sent to Lithuania from Germany resulted in the former giving up Memelland to the latter.
Invasion of Sweden[]
Norway, with German and Italian support, invaded Sweden in December of 1938 due to Quisling's irredentism, regarding among others, Jämtland as lost Norwegian territory. Sweden surrenders after 20 days. Jämtland and other lands along the Swedo-Norwegian border are given to Norway.
Denmark claims Scania[]
Scania is transferred to Denmark.
Winter War[]
The Winter War begins when the Soviet Union invades Finland for refusing to give up Karelia. The reason for wanting Karelia was because it was too close to Leningrad. Finland surrenders after 42 days of war, and is occupied by the Soviet Union. Karelia, Salla and Petsamo are annexed by the Soviet Union.
Occupation of the Baltics[]
The Soviet Union occupies Estonia and Latvia. Germany occupies Lithuania.
Greece joins the Axis[]
Ioannis Metaxas announces that Greece will fight alongside the Germans and Italians. Mussolini promises Metaxas western Turkey, and Cyprus if Greece helps to invade Turkey.
Second Vienna Award[]
Romania ceases northern Transylvania to Hungary.
Invasion of Romania[]
The Soviet Union invades Romania for their refusal to give up Bessarabia.
Invasion of Russia[]
Germany breaks the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact by invading Russia, due to their sudden invasion of Romania. Events that happen inside of and during the invasion:
- Finland is liberated by the Norwegians.
- Germany establishes the Realm Commissariate of Ostland; RCO, an occupational zone comprised of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and parts of Belarus.
- Transnistria is annexed by Romania.
- Germany establishes the Realm Commissariate of Ukraine; RCU, a Ukrainian occupational zone.
- The Siege of Leningrad ends in a German victory.
- Galicia is annexed by the General Governorate of Poland. Germany simultaneously expands further east.
- Germany expands into the Caucasus Mountains.
- Iran joins the Axis and assists Germany in the Caucasus Mountains and Stalingrad.
- The Battle of Stalingrad ends in a German victory.
- Kola and Russian Karelia are annexed by Finland. Leningrad is turned into an occupation zone called Ludendorff.
- Stalingrad is turned into an occupation zone called Hindenburg.
- The USSR surrenders. Everything east of Moscow is occupied by Japan. The rest is divided into the States of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, White Ruthenia, Border Ruthenia, Novgorod, Moskau, Ludendorff, Hindenburg, Don, Kuban, Ossetia, Dagestan, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Events that happen outside of but during the invasion:
- Portugal joins the Axis Powers.
- Iraq joins the Axis Powers.
- Iraq is invaded and occupied by the Allied Powersr.
- Montenegro is annexed by Italy.
- Germany annexes Luxembourg.
- Iceland and the Faroe Islands are transferred from British occupation to American occupation.
- The Colony of Tunis is merged with the Colony of Libya.
- Turkey gains a small strip of land from Syria.
- Spain joins the Axis Powers.
- The USA declares war on Japan.
- French Morocco is given to Spain and merged with Spanish Morocco.
- Greece invades Cyprus with Italian support.
- Greece invades Turkey with Italian and Bulgarian support. After Turkey surrenders, everything from Istanbul (now renamed Constantinople) to the Pontic Region is annexed by Greece, Armenia is established in the north-east, an occupation zone is established in central Turkey, and Kurdistan in established in the south-east.
- Invasion of the Middle East. Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan and Egypt are invaded and taken by the Axis. Iraq is liberated.
- Vichy France falls. The government-in-exile quickly occupies Algiers, and starts invading Libya.
- Mussolini is overthrown by the King of Italy, and Italy is in anarchy for a short period of time. The Axis and the Allies quickly occupy the north and south respectively.
- The Italian Social Republic is established with Mussolini as its Duce. The King's rebellion is quickly put down.
- Albania becomes a separate nation but remains a vassal of Italy.
The End of the War[]
Norway sends a series of naval invasions in Scotland, while Germany lands troops in Dover from Dunkirk. During the invasion, Sir Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists overthrow the government and declares the Axis victory in Europe. Fighting between the United States and Japan continue until November 1944, when Germany's Wunderwaffe program leads to the creation of the first nuclear bombs. The first bomb is tested in Siberia, and the second is dropped on Manhattan. This effectively forces the United States to unconditional surrender.