Welcome to our podcast on the important events of World War II. Today we will be discussing the key events that led to the outbreak of the war. The tensions leading to World War II had been mounting for three years. During this time, several events had occurred that would ultimately lead to the deterioration of ties between the Axis Powers and the Allied Powers. These events included the Spanish Civil War, the union of Germany and Austria, Hitler's occupation of the Sudetenland, and the invasion of Czechoslovakia. However, the final straw came when Germany invaded Poland on 1st September 1939, and two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany. This marked the beginning of World War II. The western part of Europe was relatively quiet during the first few months of the war. This period of war is known as the 'Phoney War'. While preparations for war continued in earnest, there were few signs of conflict, and civilians of the western European countries (allied powers) evacuated to safe places. By the early part of 1939, the German dictator, Adolf Hitler, had become determined to invade and occupy Poland. Poland had guarantees of French and British military support should it be attacked by Germany. Hitler intended to invade Poland anyway but first had to neutralize the possibility that the Soviet Union would resist the invasion of its western neighbour. Secret negotiations in August 1939, led to the signing of the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact in Moscow. Further, Russia followed Germany into Poland in September, and Poland was carved up between the two invaders before the end of the year. In 1940, the 'Winter War' between Russia and Finland concluded in March, and in the following month, Germany invaded Denmark and Norway. Denmark surrendered immediately, but the Norwegians fought on - with British and French assistance - surrendering in June 1940. The Battle of Britain lasted from July to September 1940 and was the first war to be fought solely in the air. Germany decided to attack from airfields and factories to the major cities, but somehow the Royal Air Force managed to squeak a narrow victory. This ensured the ultimately indefinite postponement of the German invasion plans. In December 1941, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the US Navy base of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This attack was in response to American trade embargoes, which had left Japan feeling isolated and desperate. The attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in the United States declaring war on Japan, which ultimately led to Germany declaring war on the US a few days later. Around this time, news of the mass murder of Jewish people by the Nazis reached the Allies, and the US pledged to avenge these crimes. By the second half of 1942, British forces had gained the initiative in North Africa, and Russian forces counterattacked at Stalingrad. This was the first major defeat of Hitler's armies, and it helped turn the tide of the war against the Axis powers. In conclusion, the events surrounding Pearl Harbor and the American entry into the war marked a significant turning point in the global conflict. The US was now fully engaged in the war and had become a major participant. Through perseverance and determination, the Allies were ultimately able to overcome the Axis powers and secure victory in World War II. #UPSC #IASprep #civilserviceexam #IASexamination #IASaspirants #UPSCjourney #IASexam #civilservice #IASgoals #UPSC2022 #IAS2022 #civilservant #IAScoaching #UPSCmotivation #IASmotivation #UPSCpreparation #IASpreparation #UPSCguide #IASguide #UPSCtips #IAStips #UPSCbooks #IASbooks #UPSCexamstrategy #IASexamstrategy #UPSCmentorship #IASmentorship #UPSCcommunity #IAScommunity #UPSCpreparation #IASpreparation #UPSCguide #IASguide #UPSCtips #IAStips #UPSCbooks #IASbooks #UPSCexamstrategy #IASexamstrategy #UPSCmentorship #IASmentorship #UPSCcommunity #IAScommunity