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=== Rise of fascism === | === Rise of fascism === | ||
[[Adolf Hitler]] took power in [[German Reich (1933–1945)|Germany]] in 1933. [[Francisco Franco]] launched a coup against the [[Spanish Republic (1931–1939)|Second Spanish Republic]] in 1936, leading to a [[Spanish Civil War|civil war]].<ref name=":0">{{Web citation|author=John Ross|newspaper=[[Tricontinental]]|title=The United States Is Waging a New Cold War: A Socialist Perspective|date=2022-09-13|url=https://thetricontinental.org/the-united-states-is-waging-a-new-cold-war-a-socialist-perspective/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104225555/https://thetricontinental.org/the-united-states-is-waging-a-new-cold-war-a-socialist-perspective/|archive-date=2022-11-04|retrieved=2022-11-19}}</ref> [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)|Italy]] and Germany supported the Spanish [[Fascism|fascists]] while [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|Britain]] and [[French Republic (1870–1940)|France]] stayed neutral.<ref name=":022332" /> | [[Adolf Hitler]] took power in [[German Reich (1933–1945)|Germany]] in 1933. [[Francisco Franco]] launched a coup against the [[Spanish Republic (1931–1939)|Second Spanish Republic]] in 1936, leading to a [[Spanish Civil War|civil war]].<ref name=":0">{{Web citation|author=John Ross|newspaper=[[Tricontinental]]|title=The United States Is Waging a New Cold War: A Socialist Perspective|date=2022-09-13|url=https://thetricontinental.org/the-united-states-is-waging-a-new-cold-war-a-socialist-perspective/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104225555/https://thetricontinental.org/the-united-states-is-waging-a-new-cold-war-a-socialist-perspective/|archive-date=2022-11-04|retrieved=2022-11-19}}</ref> [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)|Italy]] and Germany supported the Spanish [[Fascism|fascists]] while [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|Britain]] and [[French Republic (1870–1940)|France]] stayed neutral. Japan and Germany signed the [[Anti-Comintern Pact]] in 1936, and Italy joined soon after.<ref name=":022332" /> | ||
=== Fascist expansion === | === Fascist expansion === | ||
Fascist [[Empire of Japan (1868–1947)|Japan]] invaded northeast [[Republic of China|China]] in 1931 while the ruling [[Kuomintang]] focused on fighting the [[Communist Party of China|Communists]] instead of the Japanese invaders.<ref name=":0" /> Italy occupied and colonized [[Ethiopian Empire|Ethiopia]] in 1935. Germany annexed [[Federal State of Austria|Austria]] in March 1938 after announcing a supposed communist uprising. In May, Germany annexed part of [[Czechoslovak Republic (1918–1938)|Czechoslovakia]] with support from the West.<ref name=":022332" /> | Fascist [[Empire of Japan (1868–1947)|Japan]] invaded northeast [[Republic of China|China]] in 1931 while the ruling [[Kuomintang]] focused on fighting the [[Communist Party of China|Communists]] instead of the Japanese invaders.<ref name=":0" /> Italy occupied and colonized [[Ethiopian Empire|Ethiopia]] in 1935. Germany annexed [[Federal State of Austria|Austria]] in March 1938 after announcing a supposed communist uprising. In May, Germany annexed part of [[Czechoslovak Republic (1918–1938)|Czechoslovakia]] with support from the West.<ref name=":022332" /> | ||
=== | === Attempted anti-fascist alliance === | ||
In March 1939 after Germany annexed the rest of Czechoslovakia, the USSR tried to organize an [[Anti-fascism|anti-fascist]] alliance with France and the UK From June to August, the British secretly met with the Nazis and agreed to allow Germany to invade Eastern Europe in exchange for guaranteeing the integrity of the British Empire. The USSR also proposed a defense agreement with [[Republic of Poland (1918–1939)|Poland]], but Poland refused, and the USSR signed a [[Treaty of Non-Aggression between Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|non-aggression pact]] with Germany on 23 August 1939.<ref name=":022332" /> | |||
== Class character == | == Class character == | ||
[[File:Second World War casualties graph.svg|thumb|Graph showing the percentage of casualties in WWII, showing how the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet Union]] was directly affected as a result of imperialist war against [[socialism]].]] | [[File:Second World War casualties graph.svg|thumb|Graph showing the percentage of casualties in WWII, showing how the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet Union]] was directly affected as a result of imperialist war against [[socialism]].]] | ||
The character of the war is subject to some contention due to the factor of the [[Socialism|socialist]] [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet Union]] as a participant, unlike the [[World War I|First World War]] which was characterised as an [[Imperialism|imperialist]] war for the [[Colonialism|redivision of the world]] among the 'great powers' where [[capitalism]] had reached its [[Imperialism|monopoly stage]]. During the period from the invasion | The character of the war is subject to some contention due to the factor of the [[Socialism|socialist]] [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet Union]] as a participant, unlike the [[World War I|First World War]] which was characterised as an [[Imperialism|imperialist]] war for the [[Colonialism|redivision of the world]] among the 'great powers' where [[capitalism]] had reached its [[Imperialism|monopoly stage]]. During the period from the invasion of Poland in September 1939 to the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, the [[Communist International|Comintern]] designated the war as a second [[imperialist war]] and did not co-operate with their respective [[Bourgeoisie|bourgeois]] [[Dictatorship of the bourgeoisie|governments]] and then seemingly reversed their position, something which they are highly maligned for.{{Citation needed}} | ||
[[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] [[Communist Party of Great Britain|Communist]] [[Rajani Palme Dutt]] clarified that the entry of the Soviet Union only augmented the ' | [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] [[Communist Party of Great Britain|Communist]] [[Rajani Palme Dutt]] clarified that the entry of the Soviet Union only augmented the 'anti-fascist, [[National liberation war|liberating]] character' of the war.<ref>{{Citation|author=Rajani Palme Dutt|year=2005|title=On the Character of the Second World War|chapter=|page=|quote=|pdf=|city=|publisher=On the 60th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany|isbn=|doi=|lg=|mia=|title-url=https://www.revolutionarydemocracy.org/rdv11n1/dutt.htm|chapter-url=|trans-title=|trans-lang=}}</ref> The fascist invasions culminated in more than 30 million casualties in Europe, and more than 61 million worldwide. The war consisted of a [[reactionary]] phase when the ruling classes appeased fascism and did not co-operate with the Soviet struggle for self-determination and then the phase of the united struggle of the peoples against fascism when the Great Alliance was formed in 1941. | ||
== Asia-Pacific theatre == | == Asia-Pacific theatre == | ||
Japan began its colonial expansion before the outbreak of the war. It invaded Manchuria in 1931 and reached the Soviet border, provoking fears of war.<ref name=":022332">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another View of Stalin|chapter=Stalin and the anti-fascist war|isbn=9782872620814|publisher=Editions EPO|pdf=https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaceab64vxtxpqt2cdl4zsrsftmedqidn4foq74gr25qkd35z5nwogdi?filename=Ludo%20Martens%20-%20Another%20View%20of%20Stalin-Editions%20EPO%20%281996%29.pdf|page= | Japan began its colonial expansion before the outbreak of the war. It invaded Manchuria in 1931 and reached the Soviet border, provoking fears of war.<ref name=":022332">{{Citation|author=Ludo Martens|year=1996|title=Another View of Stalin|chapter=Stalin and the anti-fascist war|isbn=9782872620814|publisher=Editions EPO|pdf=https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaceab64vxtxpqt2cdl4zsrsftmedqidn4foq74gr25qkd35z5nwogdi?filename=Ludo%20Martens%20-%20Another%20View%20of%20Stalin-Editions%20EPO%20%281996%29.pdf|page=185–188}}</ref> | ||
In 1932, [[Kim Il-sung]] founded a guerrilla army to resist the occupation of [[Korea]]. Japan attacked [[United States of America|U.S.]] forces at Pearl Harbor in [[Hawaii]] in 1941 and then colonized [[Indonesia]], the [[Philippines]], [[Malaya]], and [[New Guinea]] while the U.S. was recovering. On 8 August 1945, exactly three months after Germany surrendered, the Soviet Union sent troops into [[Empire of (Great) Manchuria|Manchuria]] and Korea to oust the Japanese colonizers.<ref name=":12">{{Citation|author=Stephen Gowans|year=2018|title=Patriots, Traitors and Empires: The Story of Korea’s Struggle for Freedom|chapter=The Patriot|page=66–72|pdf=https://ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaced4iiga4ngtxusr2civjxewbili5jne2sbpefbx2s3im2kphattzc?filename=Stephen%20Gowans%20-%20Patriots%2C%20Traitors%20and%20Empires_%20The%20Story%20of%20Korea%E2%80%99s%20Struggle%20for%20Freedom-Baraka%20Books%20%282018%29.pdf|city=Montreal|publisher=Baraka Books|isbn=9781771861427|lg=https://libgen.rs/book/index.php?md5=8435F6FF91279531705764823FDC2A7F}}</ref> | In 1932, [[Kim Il-sung]] founded a guerrilla army to resist the occupation of [[Korea]]. Japan attacked [[United States of America|U.S.]] forces at Pearl Harbor in [[Hawaii]] in 1941 and then colonized [[Indonesia]], the [[Philippines]], [[Malaya]], and [[New Guinea]] while the U.S. was recovering. On 8 August 1945, exactly three months after Germany surrendered, the Soviet Union sent troops into [[Empire of (Great) Manchuria|Manchuria]] and Korea to oust the Japanese colonizers.<ref name=":12">{{Citation|author=Stephen Gowans|year=2018|title=Patriots, Traitors and Empires: The Story of Korea’s Struggle for Freedom|chapter=The Patriot|page=66–72|pdf=https://ipfs.io/ipfs/bafykbzaced4iiga4ngtxusr2civjxewbili5jne2sbpefbx2s3im2kphattzc?filename=Stephen%20Gowans%20-%20Patriots%2C%20Traitors%20and%20Empires_%20The%20Story%20of%20Korea%E2%80%99s%20Struggle%20for%20Freedom-Baraka%20Books%20%282018%29.pdf|city=Montreal|publisher=Baraka Books|isbn=9781771861427|lg=https://libgen.rs/book/index.php?md5=8435F6FF91279531705764823FDC2A7F}}</ref> | ||
== European theatre == | == European theatre == | ||
Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939, beginning the European theatre of the war. The Soviet Union forced Germany not to cross the Thasse, Narew, Bug, or Vistula rivers. Following the invasion, France and Britain declared war on Germany but did not actually begin fighting yet.<ref name=":022332" /> | |||
== Middle Eastern theatre == | == Middle Eastern theatre == | ||
Revision as of 18:36, 18 March 2023
World War II, also known as the Second World War or the Great Patriotic War, was a global armed conflict that lasted from 1 September 1939 to 2 September 1945. With an estimated total of 70–85 million people dead, it is considered the deadliest conflict in human history.
Background
Rise of fascism
Adolf Hitler took power in Germany in 1933. Francisco Franco launched a coup against the Second Spanish Republic in 1936, leading to a civil war.[1] Italy and Germany supported the Spanish fascists while Britain and France stayed neutral. Japan and Germany signed the Anti-Comintern Pact in 1936, and Italy joined soon after.[2]
Fascist expansion
Fascist Japan invaded northeast China in 1931 while the ruling Kuomintang focused on fighting the Communists instead of the Japanese invaders.[1] Italy occupied and colonized Ethiopia in 1935. Germany annexed Austria in March 1938 after announcing a supposed communist uprising. In May, Germany annexed part of Czechoslovakia with support from the West.[2]
Attempted anti-fascist alliance
In March 1939 after Germany annexed the rest of Czechoslovakia, the USSR tried to organize an anti-fascist alliance with France and the UK From June to August, the British secretly met with the Nazis and agreed to allow Germany to invade Eastern Europe in exchange for guaranteeing the integrity of the British Empire. The USSR also proposed a defense agreement with Poland, but Poland refused, and the USSR signed a non-aggression pact with Germany on 23 August 1939.[2]
Class character
The character of the war is subject to some contention due to the factor of the socialist Soviet Union as a participant, unlike the First World War which was characterised as an imperialist war for the redivision of the world among the 'great powers' where capitalism had reached its monopoly stage. During the period from the invasion of Poland in September 1939 to the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, the Comintern designated the war as a second imperialist war and did not co-operate with their respective bourgeois governments and then seemingly reversed their position, something which they are highly maligned for.[citation needed]
British Communist Rajani Palme Dutt clarified that the entry of the Soviet Union only augmented the 'anti-fascist, liberating character' of the war.[3] The fascist invasions culminated in more than 30 million casualties in Europe, and more than 61 million worldwide. The war consisted of a reactionary phase when the ruling classes appeased fascism and did not co-operate with the Soviet struggle for self-determination and then the phase of the united struggle of the peoples against fascism when the Great Alliance was formed in 1941.
Asia-Pacific theatre
Japan began its colonial expansion before the outbreak of the war. It invaded Manchuria in 1931 and reached the Soviet border, provoking fears of war.[2]
In 1932, Kim Il-sung founded a guerrilla army to resist the occupation of Korea. Japan attacked U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in 1941 and then colonized Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaya, and New Guinea while the U.S. was recovering. On 8 August 1945, exactly three months after Germany surrendered, the Soviet Union sent troops into Manchuria and Korea to oust the Japanese colonizers.[4]
European theatre
Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939, beginning the European theatre of the war. The Soviet Union forced Germany not to cross the Thasse, Narew, Bug, or Vistula rivers. Following the invasion, France and Britain declared war on Germany but did not actually begin fighting yet.[2]
Middle Eastern theatre
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 John Ross (2022-09-13). "The United States Is Waging a New Cold War: A Socialist Perspective" Tricontinental. Archived from the original on 2022-11-04. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Ludo Martens (1996). Another View of Stalin: 'Stalin and the anti-fascist war' (pp. 185–188). [PDF] Editions EPO. ISBN 9782872620814
- ↑ Rajani Palme Dutt (2005). On the Character of the Second World War. On the 60th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.
- ↑ Stephen Gowans (2018). Patriots, Traitors and Empires: The Story of Korea’s Struggle for Freedom: 'The Patriot' (pp. 66–72). [PDF] Montreal: Baraka Books. ISBN 9781771861427 [LG]