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Overview of World War II

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World War II was a global conflict from 1939 to 1945, involving the Allies and Axis powers. It began with Germany's invasion of Poland and ended with the Axis defeat. Key battles like Midway and Stalingrad turned the tide, leading to the fall of Berlin and Japan's surrender after atomic bombings. The war's legacy includes the Cold War's onset and the United Nations' formation.

Overview of World War II

World War II, commonly abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a global military conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations, including all of the great powers, which were eventually grouped into two opposing alliances: the Allies and the Axis. The war was characterized by the total mobilization of national resources, blurring the distinction between civilian and military assets. Airpower played a pivotal role, facilitating strategic bombing campaigns and the deployment of the only two nuclear weapons ever used in combat. It was the deadliest conflict in human history, with an estimated 70–85 million fatalities, a figure that includes the systematic genocide of the Holocaust, as well as deaths due to starvation, massacres, and disease. Following the Axis powers' defeat, Germany, Italy, and Japan faced occupation, and international tribunals were convened to prosecute war crimes.
WWII military memorabilia with green helmet, leather boots, canvas belt, binoculars and bullet casings on monochrome background.

The Prelude to Global Conflict

The origins of World War II are complex, rooted in a combination of political, economic, and social factors, including the rise of fascist regimes in Europe, the impact of the Spanish Civil War, the aggression of the Second Sino-Japanese War, and the lingering animosities from World War I. The conflict is generally recognized to have begun on 1 September 1939 with Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland, which led the United Kingdom and France to declare war on Germany. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression treaty between Germany and the Soviet Union, had previously divided Eastern Europe into respective spheres of influence, paving the way for subsequent invasions and annexations.

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WWII Duration

1939-1945, 6 years of global military conflict.

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WWII Main Alliances

Allies vs. Axis, two major opposing coalitions.

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WWII Impact on Civilians

Blurred civilian-military lines, total resource mobilization.

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