World War II Timeline

[Scorpiоn]

This has been getting to me for quite awhile.

I cannot believe World War II began in 39 and ended in 45.  This is completely non-sensical.  What is the criteria for determining the start and stop?  The only conditions that make any sense at all are:

• The date when all participants finally engaged in hostilities
• The date when the first participant engaged in hostilities

And vice versa for the end date.

For the sake of simplicity, I'll stick to Axis timelines as the Allies were only an answer to the Axis and because of the everchanging roster of Allies.  If everything aforementioned is to be held true, World War II either lasted from when Germany invaded Poland to the Italian surrender, or from the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War to the Japanese surrender.

[Flt.Lt.Andrew]

Its defined by when one country first declared war on the agressor and when one party officialy surrendered.



A.

[dcunning30]

Its defined by when one country first declared war on the agressor and when one party officialy surrendered.



A.

I guess, but it does seem a bit misleading.

[Felix/FFDS]

THere's an argument to be said that "WW2" was just Phase 2 of "The Great War"

On the other hand, if you want to be picky, "WW1 was just in the 20th Century.  An argument could be made that the American Revolution was basically another theatre of War in a world wide conflict being carried out between the major powers of the time - France and England.

Maintaining the original poster's premise, however, while the Mussolini government capitulated in 1943, an Italian government kept fighting on the side of the Axis until 1945.  Thus, you can safely posit that the Second World War lasted from 1939 to 1945.

Note that, by another reckoning, with the same premise, WW2 lasted only two years - 1939 (From the time Russia invaded Poland in concert with Germany) to 1941 (when Germany invaded Russia and magically, Russia became an ally).

[Felix/FFDS]

[quote]

I guess, but it does seem a bit misleading.

[dcunning30]

Or, can we look at it this way?

The Axis is commonly defined as Germany, Italy, and Japan.  Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935, however, Japan invaded Manchuria in 1932, and we all know Germany and Japan surrendered in 1945.

So, can we say the war actually lasted from 1932 to 1945?  But, when Japan invaded Manchuria, there was no axis.  This probably invalidates the 1932 date.  I think in order to come to an answer, we have to establish parameters by which we make measurements.

[Scorpiоn]

On the same token, in August 45 there was also no Axis, just Japan.  I would venture into stating World War II lasted from 1931-1945, with the war reaching its peak from 1939-1943.

Does an uncontested invasion have any meaning?  ie: Hitler invading and annexing the Sudetinland? (sp)

I would go so far as to say Japan started it's share of the war in 1931 with the Mukden Incident.  What is technically an invasion is more often termed an occupation.  At least the Sudentenland shared borders and languages!  Korea and Japan?  Jeez!

On the other hand, if you want to be picky, "WW1 was just in the 20th Century.  An argument could be made that the American Revolution was basically another theatre of War in a world wide conflict being carried out between the major powers of the time - France and England.

I never thought about it like that.  Good point!

[dcunning30]

Please, he was just responding to the anguished pleas for help from the oppressed ethnic Germans in the area !!

I wasn't criticizing anyone, I'm just exploring the whole concept.

[quote]Just as a point of information - I believe Lybia was already in the Italian sphere.

[Scorpiоn]

I wasn't criticizing anyone, I'm just exploring the whole concept.

I believe Felix applied a liberal dose of sarcasm to his post.

[Felix/FFDS]

[quote]

I wasn't criticizing anyone, I'm just exploring the whole concept.


You're correct, I had a brain-fart.

[Felix/FFDS]

I believe Felix applied a liberal dose of sarcasm to his post.

I'm a liberal all right - of the Burkesian persuasion...

[myshelf]

by definition "from the event that led to the declaration of war to the date aggreed on in the peace treaty"

the begin of WW II (european theatre) is therefore september 1, 1939, when germany invaded polland.

now there is a small problem with that, what if no war is declared, or no peace treaty signed?


the dates you find in history books are usually those declared by the victors. well, the history is written by the victors, it always was.

[Scorpiоn]

Then there is no war.  There is only an incident.  Vietnam anyone?  The current conflict in Iraq?

Felix, don't you mean Berkesian?

PS: The ETO is only half the war.  A third if you count the Atlantic its own theatre.  However I'd say it's closer to a front.

[Felix/FFDS]

Felix, don't you mean Berkesian?

Nope.  Edmund Burke  influential MP, latter half of 18th Cent.  Although I will admit that I need to study his writings more.

[dcunning30]

I believe Felix applied a liberal dose of sarcasm to his post.

whoa, talk about brain-farts!  after re-reading felix's post, i realized i did a double-dose.  my co-workers are fleeing the area right about now!