1. World War II
Aftermath

2. U.S.S.R -Invaded by Germany and its allies on June 22, 1941
-Suffers over 20 million military and civilian deaths
Contributes greatest share of the fighting in the defeat of germany

3. Establishes communist governments in 8 countries in eastern Europe at the end of the war in 1945

4. United STATEs- most powerful nation on earth after defeat of Germany and japan in 1945

5. Atomic bombs dropped on Japan, August 6 and August 9, 1945
USA becomes world’s first- and at the time only- atomic power

6. Poland
6 million polish deaths in world war ii- 20% of the population, greater % than any country
3 million are jews, many die at death camps in Poland
Polish soldiers fight for the allies from the first day of the war in Europe until the last
At wars end, the USSR occupies Poland, installs a communist government, and moves its borders

7. Poland’s changing borders
1939
1945

8. Japan Japan attempts to create economic empire in the pacific and asia
Reconquered by USA and its allies

9. August 1945
After atomic bomb raids, continued other bombings, and the entry of the ussr into the war- japan unconditionally surrenders

10. China
Continues to fight war against japan with much usa aid,
Communists and nationalists reunite briefly against the common enemy
China suffers over 15 million deaths in the war

11. Chinese civil war communists win and drive nationalists to island of Taiwan usa is considered by conservatives to have “lost china”

12. Germany- Conquers continental Europe from west to east-
Defeated by combined allied effort by 1945
7 million military and civilian deaths

13. Germany defeated, may 1945 Hitler commits suicide Germany divided
Ussr and usa troops meet in germany
Germany divided

14. Italy Joins war in 1940- defeated by allies in Africa, europe and ussr
1943- Mussolini overthrown and rescued by germans who occupy Italy,
Italy surrenders and joins allies

15. May 1945- Mussolini executed allies liberate Italy from germany

16. British empire Britain left alone to fight Germany in 1940
Bombed heavily but wins air “battle of Britain”
Attacked by japan, December 1941

17. Atlantic charter and lend lease- grand alliance formed with USA -with usa defeats Germany and japan by with the Cost of war heavy, the british empire begins to dissolve at war’s end

18. France Defeated and occupied by Germany in 1940
Vichy france government collaborates with Germany
Free French led by Charles de gaulle fight on

19. 1944- 1945 France liberated by d day invasion
Free French join in the defeat and occupation of GErmany