80 Years Since Victory: How WWII’s End Transformed Our World

On May 8, 2025, the world marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, a significant milestone that reshaped global dynamics. The conflict transitioned Europe from an era of fear and conflict to one characterized by fairness, competition, and the establishment of international laws.

The roots of the European war stretch back to the annexation of Austria by Germany in March 1938, known as the Anschluss. This was soon followed by European appeasement that allowed Nazi Germany to annex the Sudetenland, a predominantly German-inhabited region of Czechoslovakia.

World War II formally began on September 1, 1939, when the Axis powers invaded Poland. The aggressors, including Germany and Italy, quickly overran Denmark, Norway, Belgium, France, and several other nations, exerting control over much of Europe.

Initially, the United States maintained a stance of neutrality. However, the Lend-Lease Act of March 1941 marked a pivotal shift in support for Allies, providing crucial supplies to nations like the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, while excluding Chinese communists.

Fascism and militarism did not emerge in isolation. Voices of caution, including historians and anti-war activists, warned that escalating tensions in Europe and a compliance with authoritarianism could lead to dire consequences. This was echoed in the early 20th century by figures like Wilhelm Voigt, whose audacious impersonation of a military officer highlighted a troubling acceptance of militarism.

The U.S. entry into the conflict was galvanized by external attacks. On December 7, 1941, Japan’s surprise assault on Pearl Harbor prompted the U.S. to declare war the next day, igniting wider hostilities in the Pacific.

Over the next few years, the war ebbed and flowed. Notable battles included the sinking of the USS Lexington and the decisive U.S. victory at the Battle of Midway, which marked a turning point in the Pacific Theater.

Back in Europe, Allied forces increased their operations. Significant engagements occurred in North Africa and Italy. The Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, represented a critical juncture, leading to the liberation of Western Europe.

The collapse of Nazi Germany was imminent by 1944, culminating in Adolf Hitler’s suicide on April 30, 1945. Formal surrender followed on May 8, marking the end of a brutal conflict that claimed millions of lives.

While the war in Europe concluded, the Pacific conflict raged on until August 1945, when Japan, facing dire circumstances including nuclear bombardments, surrendered. Post-war transformations in Japan and Germany established them as economic powerhouses committed to peace.

The legacies of those who fought against extremism remind us of the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. The world today owes much to the sacrifices made 80 years ago in the pursuit of justice and stability.