The History of World War 2

World War II, often referred to as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from 1939 to
1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—
eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. It was the most
widespread war in history, with more than 100 million people from over 30 countries involved. The
major participants threw their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind the war
effort, blurring the distinction between civilian and military resources. World War II was marked by
significant events involving the mass death of civilians, including the Holocaust and the only use of
nuclear weapons in warfare; it was the deadliest conflict in human history, resulting in 50 to 85
million fatalities.

The war in Europe began with the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, following the
signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union, and subsequent
declarations of war on Germany by France and the United Kingdom. Over the next six years, the
conflict would take more lives and destroy more land and property around the globe than any
previous war. Among the major battles were the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of Midway. The
war ended with the unconditional surrender of the Axis powers. In May 1945, Adolf Hitler committed
suicide during the Battle of Berlin, and the Nazi regime collapsed. The European part of the war
ended with the surrender of Germany in May 1945, but the war in the Pacific continued until Japan's
surrender in September 1945, following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the
Soviet Union's declaration of war against Japan.

World War II altered the political alignment and social structure of the world. The United Nations
(UN) was established to foster international cooperation and prevent future conflicts; the victorious
great powers—China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States—became
the permanent members of its Security Council. The Soviet Union and the United States emerged as
rival superpowers, setting the stage for the Cold War, which lasted for the next 46 years. Meanwhile,
the influence of European great powers waned, while the decolonization of Asia and Africa began.
Most countries whose industries had been damaged moved towards economic recovery and
expansion. Political integration, especially in Europe, emerged as an effort to end pre-war enmities
and create a common identity.

The war prompted many innovations, including the development and use of nuclear weapons, radar,
and jet engines; it also spurred advancements in medicine and computer technology that would be
used in the following decades. The Holocaust and the use of nuclear weapons prompted debates
over the morality of warfare, the responsibilities of the military, and the sanctity of human life. The
cultural impact of the war was vast, with books, films, games, and memorials dedicated to the war
and its defining moments continuing to be produced and studied in detail. The historical significance
of World War II and its impact on the world are still evident more than 70 years later.