World War II lasted from 1 September 1939 to 2 September 1945. It was a global conflict between the Allies and the Axis powers. Almost every country participated, focusing all resources on the war. The effort blurred the lines between military and civilian roles. Tanks and aircraft were vital. The war featured strategic bombings and the only use of nuclear weapons in conflict. It was the deadliest war, with 70 to 85 million deaths, over half being civilians. Atrocities like the Holocaust contributed to this toll. After winning, the Allies occupied Germany, Austria, Japan, and Korea and held tribunals for war crimes. The war’s roots lay in World War I’s unresolved issues and the rise of fascism and militarism. Key events included Japan’s invasion of Manchuria, the Spanish Civil War, and Germany’s annexations. The war is often marked from 1 September 1939, when Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland. This act prompted the UK and France to declare war on Germany. Poland was then divided between Germany and the Soviet Union. In 1940, the Soviets expanded their territory. After France fell in June 1940, the conflict mainly involved Germany and the British Empire, spreading to the Balkans and the Mediterranean, including the Battle of Britain. Germany expanded its control and formed alliances with Italy and Japan. In June 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union.
Japan aimed to dominate East Asia and was at war with China by 1937. In December 1941, it attacked US and UK territories, including Pearl Harbor, prompting declarations of war from both countries. Japan’s early conquests were vast, but they were halted after the Battle of Midway in 1942. The Axis powers faced defeats in North Africa and at Stalingrad. Key setbacks for the Axis occurred in 1943. By 1944, the Western Allies invaded France, and the Soviet Union pushed back against Germany. Japan faced significant losses.In Europe, the Allies liberated territories and invaded Germany, leading to Berlin’s fall. Hitler’s suicide followed by Germany’s