“In what sense did World War II become more “global” during its first two or two-and-a-half years?”
World War II started when Germany invaded Poland in 1939. Hitler kept moving towards western Europe. Hitler gained control over lands that consisted of northern France, Poland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, and others. Italy decided to get invloved in the war in 1940, declaring war against France. Mussilini had started siding with Hitler in the 1930’s and got control over a piece next to Italy.
In 1940, from August to November, Germany was at war with Britain. Germany bombed Britain, to try and make them succumb to their forces, because Britain had not formed an air force yet. In 1941, the Japanese and Russia made a non aggression pact that stated they would not attack each other. When Germany attacked Russia, the Soviets, this started the brutal war that became World War II. With millions dead at the end.
In December, FDR sent a fleet to the Pacific at Pearl Harbor, after cutting trade with Japan. The Japanese saw these acts as aggressive, while FDR hoped that he would not have to enter the war. But on December 7th, Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. On December 11th Germany declared war on America and things escalated quickly. In the first two years of World War II many country’s got involved and death was the outcome and the price that was payed.