World War II Q&A: 175+ Fascinating Facts for Kids

INTRODUCTION

World War II was the most terrible war in human history. It involved more countries, killed more people, and did more damage than any other conflict. It was a huge and complicated event, but it is easier to understand by looking at it as two mostly separate wars. One was fought mainly in East Asia and the Pacific Ocean beginning in 1937. The other was fought mostly in Europe, North Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean beginning in 1939. In late 1941, the United States entered both wars at the same time to help the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and other Allied nations defeat the Axis forces of Germany, Japan, and their allies.

The pages that follow answer your questions about the countries, people, weapons, and battles that made up the war and how the conflict changed the world.

Now, prepare to take a step back into one of the most momentous periods in history . . .

WHAT CAUSED THE WAR?

TRUE OR FALSE?

US president Woodrow Wilson created the League of Nations after World War I.

MOSTLY TRUE.

Wilson was the first world leader to propose a world organization to prevent future wars, and he helped design the league. But because he could not persuade Congress to allow the United States to join, he played no role in the league’s operations.

US president Woodrow Wilson (far right) with leaders of Great Britain, France, and Italy at the 1919 peace conference

Stat: During the early 1920s, Germany’s currency, the mark, had one of the highest inflation rates in history. In 1919, one US dollar bought 90 German marks. By late 1923, it could buy 4.2 trillion marks. Prices rose so fast that people had to spend their money quickly, before it lost its