The Allied Powers and the Axis Powers were the two main factions in World War II. The Allied Powers, also known as the Allies, consisted of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, China, and several other countries. The Axis Powers, on the other hand, were made up of Germany, Italy, and Japan.
The Allied Powers were initially formed in response to the aggressive actions of the Axis Powers, which included the invasion of Poland and the annexation of Austria. The United States, which had largely remained neutral in the early years of the war, joined the Allies after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
One of the main advantages of the Allied Powers was their superior industrial and economic strength. The United States, in particular, had a massive industrial base that was able to produce vast amounts of weapons, ammunition, and other supplies needed for the war effort. The Soviet Union also had a large industrial base, although it was not as advanced as that of the United States. The United Kingdom and China also made significant contributions to the Allied war effort.
The Axis Powers, on the other hand, were at a disadvantage due to their lack of resources and industrial capacity. Germany and Italy had to rely on the resources of the territories they conquered in order to sustain their military operations. Japan was also resource-poor and had to import many of the raw materials it needed for its war effort.
In terms of military strategy, the Allied Powers pursued a policy of "island hopping," in which they targeted strategic islands in the Pacific and slowly worked their way towards the Japanese mainland. The Soviet Union, meanwhile, engaged in a series of massive offensives against the Germans on the Eastern Front. The United States and the United Kingdom also conducted a number of amphibious invasions in Europe, including the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944.
The war ultimately ended with the defeat of the Axis Powers in 1945. The Allied Powers emerged victorious, and their victory had a significant impact on the shape of the post-war world. The United States and the Soviet Union emerged as superpowers, and the United Nations was established as a forum for international cooperation and conflict resolution.
Overall, the Allied Powers were able to defeat the Axis Powers due to their superior resources, military strategy, and the fact that they had the support of a large number of countries. The war had a profound impact on the world and shaped the course of history in the 20th century.