Race to Berlin
By this point, the Soviet Union was already competing with the United States and Britain for territorial occupation, so whoever got to Berlin would likely get the most secret German government documents and have more influence in post-war Europe.
Height of Japan's Territorial Expansion (1942)
The United States entered WWII when Japan attacked the American military base of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The bombing destroyed a large part of the U.S. navy, giving Japan a headstart of a few months to invade many southward colonies in the Pacific owned by U.S., Britain, and others.
Japan's Occupied Territory (1945)
Since mid 1942, Japan was continuously losing ground with the U.S. military repaired and more powerful than ever.
Surrender of Germany
As Allied armies swept through the collapsing German military, it finally surrendered on May 7, 1945. Germany and its capital, Berlin, were divided into four occupation zones (later: west and east) controlled by the Allies. Italy lost its colonies, while Allied powers in Europe gained some territory.
Fall of Germany (1945 Europe Map Timelapse)
Surrender of Japan
By August 1945, Japan was losing much of its conquered territory, and had been demanded to surrender by the Allies, but it continued anyway. The United States then dropped 2 atomic bombs on August 6 & August 9, 1945, and the Soviet Union made good on its promise and invaded Manchuria, and other Japanese territory. Finally, on August 14, Japan surrendered and was occupied by the United States on September 2, 1945 until 1952.
Fall of Japan (1945 Pacific Map Timelapse)
WWII Aftermath
In the aftermath of World War II, Britain is in economic crisis from high war cost, and ends up losing the majority of its colonies. The world sees the emergence of two superpowers, the United States, and the Soviet Union, racing to compete with each other economically, militarily, and technologically. Due to their different interests and ideologies, the two countries and their alliances would embark upon a Cold War.
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