World War II was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945.

The war
involved more than 30 countries and was fought on land, sea, and air 1. The
main belligerents were the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) and the
Allies (France, Great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, and China)
1
. The war was sparked by the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland and ended with
the unconditional surrender of Germany on May 7, 1945 1. The war resulted in
the deaths of 40-50 million people, making it the largest and deadliest
conflict in human history 1. The war also led to the formation of the United
Nations and the establishment of the United States and the Soviet Union as
superpowers 1. The war had a profound impact on the world and its aftermath
continues to shape global politics and international relations to this day.