World War II (WWII) was the largest and most destructive war in history. It involved countries all over the world and lasted from 1939 to 1945. In this guide, I’ll explain World War II facts for 5th graders in a simple way — just like I teach it in my classroom.
Why World War II Happened
World War II started because some countries wanted more power and land.
- Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, wanted to take over other countries.
- Italy (Benito Mussolini) and Japan also wanted to expand their empires.
- After World War I, some countries were unhappy with the peace agreement, and this led to more conflict.
Key Facts Every 5th Grader Should Know
- Start of the War: September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland.
- Two Sides:
- Allies – United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, China, and others.
- Axis Powers – Germany, Italy, Japan.
- D-Day: June 6, 1944, when Allied forces landed in Normandy, France.
- End of the War in Europe: May 8, 1945 (VE Day – Victory in Europe).
- End of the War in Asia: August 15, 1945 (VJ Day – Victory over Japan).
- Famous Leaders: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Charles de Gaulle.
Timeline of World War II
- 1939 – Germany invades Poland; Britain and France declare war.
- 1940 – Germany takes over much of Europe; Winston Churchill becomes UK Prime Minister.
- 1941 – Japan attacks Pearl Harbor; the U.S. joins the war.
- 1942 – Battle of Midway; Allies start pushing back in the Pacific.
- 1943 – Italy surrenders to the Allies.
- 1944 – D-Day invasion of Normandy.
- 1945 – Germany surrenders in May; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August; Japan surrenders, ending the war.
Important People to Know
- Anne Frank – A Jewish girl who wrote a diary while hiding from the Nazis.
- Rosie the Riveter – A symbol of women working in factories during the war.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower – U.S. General who led the D-Day invasion.
- Hirohito – Emperor of Japan during WWII.
Life During World War II
When I teach this in class, I help my students imagine what life was like:
- Rationing: People could only buy limited amounts of food, clothes, and gasoline.
- Victory Gardens: Families grew their own vegetables to help feed the nation.
- Blackouts: In some cities, people covered windows at night so enemy planes couldn’t see them.
Fun Learning Activity
Codebreaker Challenge:
Students create secret messages using a simple substitution code and swap them with classmates to decode — just like Allied codebreakers did with the German Enigma machine.
Did You Know? – Fun WWII Facts for Kids
- Chocolate was part of soldiers’ survival rations.
- Pigeons carried over 90% of the war’s important messages.
- A bear named Wojtek served in the Polish Army and helped carry ammunition.
- The first computer, Colossus, was used to break secret codes.
FAQ – World War II for 5th Graders
Q: Who won World War II?
A: The Allies won the war in 1945.
Q: Why did the U.S. join the war?
A: Because Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Q: How many people fought in World War II?
A: Over 100 million people served in the military worldwide.
Q: What was D-Day?
A: It was the day the Allies landed in France to push back the German army, on June 6, 1944.
Why It Still Matters
World War II showed the importance of freedom, teamwork, and standing up against unfair treatment. It also led to the creation of the United Nations, an organization that works to keep peace in the world today.
Sources & References
About the Author
Murad Ali Khan is a researcher, writer, and editor with a passion for creating engaging, fact-checked educational content for young learners. He leads a dedicated team of high school students, teachers, and IT graduates to develop and maintain kid-friendly educational websites and apps. With years of experience explaining complex topics in simple, fun ways, Murad ensures every article is accurate, clear, and easy to understand.
When he’s not crafting content, Murad enjoys hiking, reading the latest science news, playing tennis, and spending time with friends.
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