World War II

» Subsections: Manhattan Project Page — Dr. Oppenheimer Bio Page

People thought that World War I was the last war of such a magnitude. However, World War I did not end with peace. The Treaty of Versailles did created many things, but peace still eluded the world. Countries were torn by revolutions due to economic unrest. Germany was devastated with the blame of the war focused on them. The Soviet Union (today the country of Russia) lost huge amounts of territory, which became Poland, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. Unrest laid in every corner of Europe. World War II was just getting ready to happen.

Hitler's Rise To Führer

The leading up to a war which brought about the Manhattan Project

After World War I, Hitler was jobless and drifted around Germany. 1919, he joined a group called the National Socialist German Workers' Party or the Nazi Party. Hitler soon became the party's leader.

The Great Depression left around 6 million Germans unemployed in 1932. The unemployed started turning to Hitler for hope. This helped the Nazi Party, which promised to forge a better Germany, in gaining power. In 1933 Hitler was appointed chancellor after a great win in the elections held in 1932 where the Nazi Party won the most votes.

From this point on he began his gain in power by dismantling the German democratic Weimar Republic. He then established the Third Reich or the Third German Empire. From here his position gave him the power to begin another World War.

The War Begins

The Invasion

On September 1, 1939 the German army invaded Poland. This began the domino effect, just like the events of World War I. Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3 because of their promise to protect Poland. This began World War II.

A German anti-tank artillery crew shown in position in Kharkov, Russia Picture taken December 15, 1941

Unlike the Cold War when nuclear weapons were already developed, World War II was just the beginning of the chain reaction.

The United States Enters the War

"December 7, 1941: a day that will live in infamy." Many Americans know this date as the day when Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor. This attack outraged and paniced the people in Washington. President Roosevelt acts and declares war on Japan with the approval of Congress. As alliances go, Germany and Italy thus declare war on the United States, solidifying United States role in the war and having to fight a two front war.

The Birth of the ICBM and Cruise Missile

» View: ICBM and Cruise Missile Page

Overview: The Manhattan Project was designed to create the atomic bomb. Rumors were spreading that the Nazis were trying to develop the atomic bomb for themselves. This prompted the organization of the Manhattan Project to beat the Nazis to such a weapon. Such a project was led by Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer. Click here for a small biography on Dr. Oppenheimer.

The Manhattan Project

» View: Manhattan Project Page

Overview: The Manhattan Project was designed to create the atomic bomb. Rumors were spreading that the Nazis were trying to develop the atomic bomb for themselves. This prompted the organization of the Manhattan Project to beat the Nazis to such a weapon. Such a project was led by Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer. Click here for a small biography on Dr. Oppenheimer.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

» View: Nuclear Weapons

August 6, 1945 - Enola Gay released an atomic bomb, code-named Little Boy, over Hiroshima. Seconds later, the city essentially ceased to exist. Japanese leaders were uneasy about such a catastrophic attack; they hesitated to surrender. Three days later, a second atomic bomb, code-named Fat Man, was dropped on the city Nagasaki, destroying half the city. This was the first time a nuclear weapon was ever used in war. Up to today, they are the only atomic bombs ever used. They left devastating results, an estimated 200,000 people died and two cities were destroyed. Such an impact ended World War II.

Click the above link to witness the devastation at Hiroshima and hear the surrender speech of Emperor Hirohito.