RAN Public School

Rudrapur
English P Project
English Repo t
oject Report
entitled as
World War II
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the required of CBSE, New Delhi
for the award of ‘Senior School Certificate ’

Submitted by: Sarthak Talreja

Submitted to: PGT English
nglish
Class: 12 Science B
Class Roll Number: 43
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Sarthak Talreja, of Class XIIB

of RAN Public School has successfully completed the
Project Report On World War 2

Under the guidance of Mrs AnshuChauhan.

He has taken interest and shown utmost sincerity in
completion of this English project during
the year 2023-24 in partial fulfilment of practical
examination conducted by CBSE, NEW DELHI.
 Acknowledgement
I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to
my
my English
English Teacher
teacher Mrs Anshu Chauhan who
guided me while making this project.
Without her guidance and support this project would
have been imperfect.

Secondly, I would like to thank my parents as well as

my friends for their constant support and coordination
towards this project.

Submitted by: Sarthak Talreja

Class: 12 Science B
 Index

Serial Number Content Page Number

1 Introduction 1

22 Countries That took 22

part in World War 2

3 Why Did it happen? 4

part in the war

4 Time line of events 6

5 Time Line 7

6 Impact 8

7 Use of Nuclear
Involvement Of Nazi in 99
Weapons
the war

8
8 The Use of Nuclear
Involvement of Nazi 10
in the war
Weapons

9 Repurcussions of war 12
 Introduction

When World War I of cially ended in 1919, it was thought that this con ict
would be the ‘wars to end all wars’.

This statement would be proven wrong 20 years later, Germany’s invasion of

Poland in 1939 triggered declarations of war from France and the United
Kingdom, formally starting World War II.

World War II, which began in 1939 and ended in 1945, was the deadliest and
most destructive war in history. Over the next six years, the con ict took
more lives and destroyed more land and property around the globe than any
previous war.

The principal belligerents were the Axis powers—Germany, Italy, and Japan—
and the Allies—France, Great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union,
and, to a lesser extent, China.

It is the only con ict in which nuclear weapons have been used, both
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in the Japanese Empire, were devastated by atomic
bombs dropped by the United States.

Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, was responsible for genocides, most
notably the Holocaust, the killing of about 6,000,000 Jews and the killing of
11,000,000 others who were persecuted by the Nazis
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 COUNTRIES WHICH TOOK PART IN WW2

Axis Powers

1. Germany: Led by Adolf Hitler, Nazi Germany played a central role in the
war, invading Poland in 1939, sparking the con ict.

2. Italy: Under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, Italy joined the war as an
Axis power, aligning itself with Nazi Germany.

3. Japan: The Empire of Japan, led by Emperor Hirohito, was another major
Axis power. Japan's expansionist policies in Asia contributed to the global
con ict.

Allied Powers

1. United Kingdom: Led by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the UK resisted

German air raids during the Battle of Britain and played a vital role in the
Allied war effort.

2. Soviet Union: Led by Joseph Stalin, the Soviet Union faced a brutal
invasion by Germany in 1941 but eventually became a key player in the
defeat of the Axis on the Eastern Front.

3. United States: Initially neutral, the U.S. entered the war after the attack on
Pearl Harbor in 1941. President Franklin D. Roosevelt led the nation through
the con ict.

4. France: Despite an early defeat and occupation by Germany, Free French

forces, led by Charles de Gaulle, played a role in the later stages of the war.

5. China: The Republic of China, led by Chiang Kai-shek, was engaged in a

prolonged con ict with Japan well before the broader war began. Chinese
resistance was a crucial factor in the Asian theater.

Other Allied Nations

1. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand:** These Commonwealth nations
were actively involved in the war effort, contributing troops, resources,
and support.
2. India: As a British colony at the time, India provided a signi cant number
of troops to the Allied forces.
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 Why did it happen?

1. Treaty of Versailles

Following World War I, the victorious Allied Powers met to decide Germany’s
future. Germany was forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles.
Under this treaty, Germany had to accept guilt for the war and to pay
reparations. Germany lost territory and was prohibited from having a large
military.
The humiliation faced by Germany under this treaty, paved the way for the
spread of Ultra-Nationalism in Germany.

2. Failure of the League of Nations

The League of Nations was an international organisation set up in 1919 to

keep world peace was intended that all countries would be members and that
if there were disputes between countries, they could be settled by negotiation
rather than by force.
The League of Nations was a good idea, but ultimately a failure, as not all
countries joined the league.

3. Rise of Nazism

Adolf Hitler, the Leader of the German National Socialist (Nazi) party,
preached a racist brand of fascism.
In 1933, Hitler became the German Chancellor, and in a series of subsequent
moves established himself as dictator.
Moreover, in 1941 the Nazi regime unleashed a war of extermination against
Slavs, Jews, and other elements deemed inferior by Hitler’s ideology.

4. Economic Depression

In the late 1929, economic depression hit the whole world.

As a result, economies shrunk, prices fell, trade was reduced, unemployment
rose, businesses closed and banks fell.
To resolve their problem sometimes during depression people want a strong
political leader.
To restore Germany’s wealth and power, Adolf Hitler became the leader in
the year 1933.
5. Nationalism and Imperialism

Nationalistic fervor and imperialistic ambitions played a role, especially in

Japan's expansion in Asia. Competing territorial claims and aspirations for
dominance fueled tensions.

6. Nazi-Soviet Pact

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in
1939 included secret protocols dividing Eastern Europe. This allowed Hitler
to proceed with aggression in the West without fear of a two-front war.

7. Invasion of Poland

The direct trigger for the war was Germany's invasion of Poland on
September 1, 1939. The rapid Blitzkrieg tactics overwhelmed Polish
defenses, leading to Britain and France declaring war on Germany.
 KEY EVENTS

1. Invasion of Poland (1939)

Germany's Blitzkrieg tactics led to the swift defeat of Poland, marking the
beginning of World War II.

2. Battle of Britain (1940)

The Royal Air Force successfully defended Britain against German air
attacks, preventing a German invasion.

3. Operation Barbarossa (1941)

Germany invaded the Soviet Union, leading to a brutal Eastern Front con ict
with signi cant consequences.

4. Pearl Harbor (1941)

Japanese forces attacked the U.S. naval base in Hawaii, prompting the United
States to enter the war.

5. D-Day (1944)

Allied forces landed in Normandy, France, in a massive amphibious assault,

leading to the liberation of Western Europe.

6. Yalta Conference (1945)

Allied leaders (Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin) met to plan the post-war world
and discuss the division of Germany.

7. Creation of the United Nations (1945)

The international organisation was established to promote peace and

cooperation, replacing the League of Nations.
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 TIMELINE OF EVENTS
World War II was a complex and multifaceted global con ict that lasted from
1939 to 1945. Here's an event-wise description of key moments and
developments during the war:

1. 1939
- September 1: Germany invades Poland, marking the beginning of World
War II.
- September 3: Britain and France declare war on Germany.
- September 17: The Soviet Union invades Poland from the east.

2. 1940
-May 10: Germany launches a blitzkrieg (lightning war) against Western
Europe.
- May 26 - June 4: The evacuation of Dunkirk - Allied forces are evacuated
from the beaches of Dunkirk in a daring rescue operation.
- June 10:Italy enters the war on the side of the Axis powers.
- June 14: German forces capture Paris.
- July 10 - October 31: Battle of Britain - The Royal Air Force successfully
defends Britain against German air attacks.

3. 1941:
- June 22: Operation Barbarossa - Germany invades the Soviet Union.
- December 7: Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, prompting the United States to
enter the war.

4. 1942:
- June 4 - 7: Battle of Midway - A decisive naval battle in the Paci c, turning
the tide against Japan.
- November 8: Operation Torch - Allied forces land in North Africa.
- December 7 - February 2, 1943:** Battle of Stalingrad - A turning point on
the Eastern Front, with Soviet forces defeating the German army.

5. 1943:
- July 5 - August 23: Battle of Kursk - The largest tank battle in history
takes place on the Eastern Front.
- July 10: Allies invade Sicily.
- September 8 - February 28, 1944: Allied invasion of Italy.

6. 1944:
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 - June 6: D-Day - Allied forces land in Normandy, marking the beginning of
the end for Nazi Germany.
- August 25: Paris is liberated by the Allies.
- December 16 - January 25, 1945: Battle of the Bulge - The last major
German offensive on the Western Front.

7. 1945:
- January 27: Liberation of Auschwitz - Soviet forces liberate the Auschwitz
concentration camp.
- April 30: Adolf Hitler commits suicide.
- May 7: Germany surrenders unconditionally in Europe (V-E Day).
- August 6 and 9: Atomic bombs are dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
leading to Japan's surrender (V-J Day) on August 15.

8. Post-War:
- 1945-1949: Nuremberg Trials - Major war criminals are tried for crimes
against peace and humanity.
- 1945-1955: Allied occupation of Germany and the division of Berlin.
- 1947-1991: Cold War begins between the United States and the Soviet
Union.

These events provide a broad overview of World War II, a con ict that had a
profound and lasting impact on the course of history.
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 IMPACT OF WW2 ON CIVILIANS

Note that in many cases the number of civilian dead outnumbers the military
casualties.

Causes of death varied, but include:

Accidental death during ghting

Deliberately killed by aerial bombardment
Starvation
Disease
Cold
Execution ( somewhat common in several theatres, it wasn’t just Nazi
concentration camps)

Of those that survived, many were made homeless. By 1945 in Europe there
were literally millions of people who’d lost their homes or been forcibly
displaced.

It’s dif cult to generalise though; the world is a big place. For some civilians
the war wasn’t really any more than slightly inconvenient. Some countries
didn’t even experience much rationing, and jobs working in war industries
were plentiful. For others like the people of Leningrad the war was a descent
into hell on Earth.
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 THE USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were pivotal events during World
War II. On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb, code-
named "Little Boy," on Hiroshima. The bomb exploded with a force equivalent
to approximately 15,000 tons of TNT, instantly killing tens of thousands of
people and causing widespread destruction.

Three days later, on August 9, 1945, a second atomic bomb, "Fat Man," was
dropped on Nagasaki. The impact was similarly catastrophic, leading to the
deaths of tens of thousands more. The bombings prompted Japan's surrender
on August 15, 1945, marking the end of World War II.

The decision to use atomic bombs remains a subject of historical debate.

Proponents argue that it hastened Japan's surrender, potentially saving lives
by avoiding a prolonged invasion. Critics argue that Japan was already
nearing surrender and that the bombings caused unnecessary civilian
casualties.

The long-term consequences included radiation exposure, leading to various

health issues for survivors, known as hibakusha. The bombings also initiated
the nuclear arms race during the Cold War, as other nations sought to
develop their own atomic weapons.

The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have left a lasting impact on global
history, ethics, and the use of nuclear weapons, raising questions about the
morality and necessity of such actions in war.
 INVOLVEMENT OF NAZI IN WW2

The involvement of the Nazis in World War II is a signi cant aspect of the
con ict, as Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, played a central role in the war.
Here are key points related to the Nazis' involvement in World War II:

1. Rise of the Nazis:

- Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party rose to power in Germany in the 1930s,
exploiting economic and social unrest.
- Hitler became Chancellor in 1933, and later, through a series of political
maneuvers, consolidated power as Germany's dictator.

2. Aggressive Expansion:
- The Nazis pursued an aggressive foreign policy with the goal of expanding
German territory, undoing the Treaty of Versailles, and establishing a
Greater German Empire.
- The reoccupation of the Rhineland (1936) and the annexation of Austria
(Anschluss, 1938) were early steps in this expansion.

3. Invasion of Poland (1939):

- The invasion of Poland in September 1939 marked the beginning of World
War II.
- The Nazis used blitzkrieg tactics, combining fast-moving infantry with air
support, to quickly overwhelm the Polish defenses.

4. Blitzkrieg Tactics:
- The Germans employed blitzkrieg tactics throughout the war,
characterized by rapid and coordinated attacks using infantry, artillery, and
air forces to achieve swift victories.

5. Invasion of Western Europe (1940):

- Germany invaded and quickly defeated several Western European
countries, including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
- The use of innovative military strategies, such as the "Manstein Plan" and
the use of paratroopers in the Battle of Crete, showcased Nazi military
prowess.
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6. Operation Barbarossa (1941):
- Hitler broke the non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union and launched
Operation Barbarossa, a massive invasion of the Soviet Union.
- Initially successful, the campaign ultimately led to the failure of the
German military on the Eastern Front.

7. The Holocaust:
- The Nazis implemented the systematic genocide known as the Holocaust,
resulting in the mass murder of six million Jews and millions of others,
including Romani people, disabled individuals, and political dissidents.

8. Alliances and Defeats:

- The Axis Powers, led by Germany, faced challenges from the Allied Powers,
including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union.
- Germany faced defeats at Stalingrad (1943) and in North Africa,
contributing to a turning tide in favor of the Allies.

9. D-Day and the Western Front (1944):

- The Allies launched the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, marking the
beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.
- The invasion of Normandy and subsequent campaigns on the Western
Front led to the liberation of Western Europe from German occupation.

10. Downfall of Nazi Germany (1945):

- As the Allies closed in on Germany from the East and West, Hitler's
regime faced internal dissent and the devastating impact of strategic
bombing.
- Hitler committed suicide in April 1945, and Germany surrendered in May
1945.

The Nazis' involvement in World War II was characterized by aggressive

expansionist policies, genocide, and the implementation of a totalitarian
regime that sought to establish a racially and ideologically motivated empire.
The war ultimately led to the defeat of Nazi Germany and the dismantling of
the Nazi regime.
 REPERCUSSIONS OF WAR
As ghting came to an end in 1945, people the world over faced for the rst
time the unprecedented extent of destruction and loss of life caused by World
War II. As the costs of victory came into devastating focus, the diplomatic
responses, rising global tensions between the United States and the Soviet
Union, and social disruption that followed in the aftermath of this con ict
showed that World War II was truly "the war that changed the world.”

Struggling to re-settle, people around the world consumed less. In England,

Germany, Russia, Poland, Japan, China, Korea, and other nations, large
numbers of citizens remained undernourished for almost a decade after
1939. They had fewer clothes, less shelter, and more recurring ailments.
Absenteeism from work and family duties was rampant, just as the necessary
effort for survival increased. To say that life was very hard at the end of the
war—even for those born wealthy—is an understatement

By the end of World War II, much of Europe and Asia, and parts of Africa, lay
in ruins. Combat and bombing had attened cities and towns, destroyed
bridges and railroads, and scorched the countryside. The war had also taken
a staggering toll in both military and civilian lives.

Shortages of food, fuel, and all kinds of consumer products persisted and in
many cases worsened after peace was declared. War-ravaged Europe and
Japan could not produce enough goods for their own people, much less for
export
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