How World War II Ended (In Europe)

Surrounding of Nazis
- By late April 1945, Nazi Germany was surrounded on all sides by Allied forces, leading to the inevitable conclusion of the war in Europe.
Hitler's Suicide
- Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi Party and dictator of Germany, committed suicide in his bunker located in Berlin, which was the capital of Germany.
- His death marked the collapse of Nazi leadership and accelerated the end of the war in Europe.
Nuremberg Trials
- Following the surrender of Germany, the remaining Nazi leaders were captured and put on trial for war crimes.
- These trials, known as the Nuremberg Trials, were significant as they held individuals accountable for crimes against humanity, setting a precedent for future international law.
Rise of Superpowers
- The conclusion of World War II left the United States and the Soviet Union (communist Russia) as the two dominant superpowers in the world.
- Their differing ideologies and political systems led to heightened tensions and competition.
Beginning of the Cold War
- The aftermath of World War II initiated the Cold War, a prolonged period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, characterized by ideological conflict, nuclear arms race, and proxy wars.