Key Players From World War II (For Good or Bad)

World War II remains one of the biggest and most important historical events of our time. While we respect and honor the brave heroes who fought for our freedom, there are a number of bad things to come from these dark times too. Today, we're going to review 20 key players from this war. Whether they did commendable things or terrible things, they all played a part and need to be known.

Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives. on Wikimedia Commons

1. Adolf Hitler

As one of the most despicable human beings in history, not much needs to be said about this man. Everyone learned in school what horrible things he did during World War II; his cruelty towards the Jewish population is simply unfathomable. This fascist German dictator should always serve as a reminder of who we should not be. 

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2. Winston Churchill

As Britain's prime minister for most of World War II, Winston Churchill was largely credited with uniting the country and leading them bravely into the fire. His dedication to winning the war and stopping Germany in its tracks was undeniable. He also played a large part in strategizing many campaigns, though some were unsuccessful or poorly executed and continue to be criticized today. 

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3. James Doolittle

Though James Doolittle always showed impressive aerial skills including breaking speed records and winning races, he's most known for his heroic deeds in World War II. This military general and pilot led the first U.S. air strike over Japan, which won him the Medal of Honor. They also named it the Doolittle Raid in respect to his efforts.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph on Wikimedia

4. Benito Mussolini

Mussolini is a name in history that automatically makes you shiver. This fascist Italian dictator played a terrible role in World War II, choosing to side with Hitler and Germany. Though Italy initially joined as an Axis power under his reign, Mussolini was kicked out of power following the invasion of Sicily which swifly led to his death. Following these events, Italy officially sided with the Allies for the remainder of the war. 

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5. Curtis LeMay

Although US Airforce General, Curtis LeMay, had quite the mixed reputation thanks to his aggressive opinions of war, he was still respected for his strategic abilities, no matter how ruthless they were. He's most known for his controversial bombing campaigns which mainly targeted Japanese cities, and Operation Starvation which was an attempt to stop Japanese imports of material and food. 

U.S. Air Force Archive on Wikimedia

6. Harry Truman

It's safe to say Harry Truman played a major role in World War II for both the good and the bad. When he was Senator, he spearheaded the Truman Committee which was an investigation against waste and corruption that saved the country approximately 15 billion dollars. However, as president, he was faced with one of the most difficult, world-changing decisions known in history: the dropping of the atomic bomb. We all know what tragedy followed his choice of going through with it.

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7. Douglas MacArthur

This five-star American general continues to be remembered as a war hero and key player during World War II. He was mainly in charge of leading the Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific Theatre, and when Japan finally surrendered, he was tasked with reforming everything from the economy to the government and military. Essentially, his work there westernized the country.

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8. Neville Chamberlain

Before Winston Churchill took the reins, there was Neville Chamberlain. Immediately declaring war on Germany just two days after the invasion of Poland, he served as the leader and prime minister of Britain. He is largely associated with the policy of appeasement which was an attempt to keep peace, and his signing of the Munich Agreement which gave Nazi Germany permission to claim part of Czechoslovakia. 

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9. Charles de Gaulle

An incredibly brave man who is now forever remembered as a World War II hero, Charles de Gaulle was the leader of the Free French Forces that fought against Germany. He was a strong voice during this dark time, helping the country resist giving into the Axis powers. He even became president after the war following his courageous efforts. 

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10. Dwight Eisenhower

As the United States' 34th president, Dwight Eisenhower was already very acclaimed before entering the office. He played a major role during World War II as an Allied Supreme Commander and five-star general. He is highly regarded for his efforts in strategizing and overlooking both Operation Torch and Operation Overlord (the invasion of Normandy). 

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11. Hermann Goering

As one of the strongest leaders of Nazi Germany, this is another example of a historical figure on the wrong side of history. He is a war criminal that committed and was involved in numerous horrific things. After he was captured following Germany's downfall, he was found guilty for all his crimes against peace and humanity. Goering was then swiftly sentenced to death, for which he ended his own life via cyanide.

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12. Hirohito

In World War II, Japan is most remembered for siding with the Axis powers and their attack of Pearl Harbor, both of which were approved by Emperor Hirohito. Strangely, many seem to have mixed opinions about his role during this war. Some sources say he was "powerless" and didn't know what he was doing, while others clearly voice he knew everything that was going on. 

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13. Robert Oppenheimer

Thanks to Christopher Nolan's film, Oppenheimer, many people now know who this man is. Known as the father of the atomic bomb, Robert Oppenheimer was tasked with creating the world's first nuclear weapon in Los Alamos. As we all know, he was successful, leading to the devastation that took place in Japan. 

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14. Franklin Roosevelt

Before Harry Truman became president, Franklin Roosevelt was a strong voice that helped build the alliance of Allied Powers. After the attack on Pearl Harbor shook the nation, Roosevelt quickly declared war on Japan and the Axis powers. During this time, he worked with other leaders, namely Winston Churchill, while also supporting the American economy so they could support war efforts. 

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15. Joseph Stalin

Leader of the Soviet Union and General Secretary of the Communist Party, Joseph Stalin initially sided with Germany at the start of the war. While many historians argue over his intentions, it's believed he did so for strategic purposes. Not only did this give the Soviets more time to grow their military, it also prevented them from entering immediate conflict. Of course, when Hitler turned his back against their pact and invaded the Soviet Union, he quickly swapped sides and joined the Allied powers.

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16. Hideki Tojo

Hideki Tojo wasn't just the Japanese prime minister during World War II, he was also the brutal General of the Imperial Army. Not only was he responsible for the devastating Pearl Harbor attack, he also committed a number of war crimes. Many lives were lost on his account and terrible practices like starving prisoners and civilians were followed on his orders. 

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17. Chian Kai-Shek

With the risk of Japanese invasion sitting right at their doorsteps, Chian Kai-Shek, leader of the Republic of China, formed a temporary alliance with the communist party to fight against Japan. While he is often credited with uniting the nation to defend against attacks during World War II, others remind us of his fascist and cruel behavior. He may have been a strong leader during this battle, but it doesn't forgive him of his other doings. 

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18. Joseph Goebbels

As one of Hitler's most trusted and passionate devotees, Joseph Goebbels can be easily seen as his right-hand man. His most prized skill was his public speaking ability, which was crucial in convincing the rest of Germany they should support their antisemitic efforts and war plans during World War II. 

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19. Yamamoto Isoroku

While Hirohito and Hideki Tojo backed the attack of Pearl Harbor, it was Yamamoto Isoruko who strategized and planned it. He strongly believed that the only way Japan could defeat United States was with one powerful, one-sided battle where they were completely caught off guard.

The Advance in Nippon 画報 躍進之日本 (Gaho Yakushin no Nihon) on Wikimedia

20. Friedrich Paulus

While many others on this list were noted down for being great generals who were capable of amazing strategic plans, Friedrich Paulus was the opposite. He was not very experienced, and during the Battle of Stalingrad, he went against Hitler's direct orders and surrendered his losing army. Following his capture in the Soviet Union, he became very vocal about his criticisms and dislike towards Hitler. 

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