World War II: The War That Changed Everything

Overview

World War II, a six-year global conflict, saw lightning wars, massive invasions, and battles across six continents, claiming 60 million lives. This video chronicles its major turning points, from Blitzkrieg to the Holocaust and the final surrender, showing how the world was forever remade.

In this video

• World War II became the deadliest conflict in human history, lasting six years across six continents and claiming 60 million lives.
• The war began in September 1939 with the German 'Blitzkrieg' or lightning war, involving tanks, dive-bombers, and infantry, leading to Poland's fall within weeks.
• In the spring of 1940, France fell in just six weeks, and the Dunkirk evacuation saw hundreds of thousands rescued by a ragtag fleet of small ships.
• Britain stood alone against the Blitz, with cities burning nightly, but the island held and prevented invasion.
• The largest invasion in history, involving over 3 million troops, erupted in June 1941 as forces poured east into the Soviet Union along a thousand-mile front.
• December 7th, 1941, marked the surprise attack on the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor by waves of aircraft, leading to America's entry into the war.
• The Battle of Midway in June 1942 saw dive-bombers sink four enemy carriers in one morning, shifting the balance of the Pacific War permanently.
• Stalingrad, a months-long battle through a frozen, shattered city, became one of the bloodiest ever fought and a great turning point of the war.
• June 6th, 1944, D-Day, marked the greatest invasion ever launched, with an armada crossing the Channel and paratroopers descending as Allies stormed Normandy beaches to begin Europe's liberation.
• The Holocaust, a systematic genocide, resulted in the murder of six million Jewish people and millions more, serving as history's gravest warning.

Frequently asked questions

When did World War II begin and end?

World War II began in September 1939 and concluded in August 1945, lasting nearly six years. Europe fell silent on May 8th, 1945, but the war continued in the Pacific until Japan's surrender.

What was Blitzkrieg?

Blitzkrieg, or 'lightning war,' was a military tactic employed at the start of World War II, involving armored columns of tanks, dive-bombers, and infantry moving swiftly and cohesively. It quickly led to the fall of nations like Poland.

What happened at Pearl Harbor?

On December 7th, 1941, waves of aircraft launched a surprise attack on the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor, causing battleships to burn in minutes. This event led to America's entry into the war the very next day.

What was the significance of D-Day?

D-Day, on June 6th, 1944, was the greatest invasion ever launched, with a vast armada crossing the Channel and paratroopers descending as Allies stormed Normandy beaches. It marked the beginning of the liberation of Europe.

How many lives were lost in World War II?

World War II resulted in the loss of 60 million lives, making it the deadliest conflict in human history. This number includes six million Jewish people and millions more murdered in the Holocaust.