World War Two at a Glance

World War Two, a war that changed the entire world, began, ominously, with the German invasion of Poland. It was the most costly war, in terms of human lives lost. It is estimated that about 55 million people died in the European theater during World War II. Globally a total of over 60 million people died in WWII and of those 60 million, more were civilian than soldiers. The war lasted for more than five years, and more than seventy countries were involved in the war. The catalyst, however, was the September 1939 German invasion of Poland. There were other "related" skirmishes taking place around the world prior to Germany 's invasion of Poland. For example, Japan invaded China in 1937; and in the spring of 1939, Japan clashed with Russia. But, most contemporary historians site Germany 's invasion of Poland as the beginning of WWII.

German leader and Nazi head Adolph Hitler is credited with being the person responsible for creating the climate that created World War Two. Prior to World War II, Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazi Party, took power in Germany and eliminated its democratic government, the Weimar Republic. Hitler 's goal was to invade and conquer lands around Germany, and to make them German. He railed against Communists and ethnic minorities, such as Jews. After taking power, he prepared Germany for another war with large political rallies and speeches. Hitler gained power in a Germany facing crisis after World War I. "Using propaganda and charismatic oratory, he appealed to the economic needs of the lower and middle classes, while sounding resonant chords of nationalism, antisemitism, and anti-communism" (Ellis, 43).
Adolph Hitler 's aim in invading Poland was not just to regain the territories lost in 1918 (and the Treaty of Versailles). He also intended to impose German rule on Poland. In the early morning hours of September 1, 1939, the German armies marched into Poland. Incidently, soon after Germany 's invasion, the Soviet Union invaded Poland

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