World War II
Nearly all of the world's countries participated, with many engaging in total war on an unprecedented scale. It was the deadliest conflict in history, causing the deaths of 60 to 75 million people, a majority of whom were civilians. Millions died as a result of massacres, starvation, disease, and genocides including the Holocaust. After the Allied victory, Germany, Austria, Japan, and Korea were occupied, and German and Japanese leaders were tried for war crimes.
- deaths
- 60 to 75 million
- major_belligerents
- Allies and Axis powers
- key_leaders
- Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini
- outcome
- Allied victory; occupation of Germany, Austria, Japan, and Korea
Lore & Background
The causes of World War II included unresolved tensions after World War I and the rise of fascism in Europe and militarism in Japan. Poland was also invaded by the Soviet Union in mid-September and partitioned under the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.
Reader's Guide
World War II transformed the political, economic, and social structures of the world and established the foundation of international relations for the rest of the 20th century and into the 21st century. The United Nations was created to foster international cooperation and prevent future conflicts, with the victorious great powers—China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States—becoming 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. In the wake of Europe's devastation, the influence of its great powers waned, triggering the decolonisation of Africa and of Asia. Many countries whose industries had been damaged moved towards economic recovery and expansion.
Did You Know?
- World War II caused the deaths of 60 to 75 million people, a majority of whom were civilians.
- The United Nations was created after the war, with the victorious great powers as permanent members of its Security Council.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are World War II's powers/role?
In the Modern Conflicts 1-15 framing, World War II embodies the concept of total war, committing entire national economies, civilian populations, and armed forces to a single objective across land, sea, and air. Its 'abilities' include coordinated multi-theater operations, strategic bombing campaigns, and the ultimate escalation of nuclear weapons.
Why is World War II important?
World War II dismantled the old European colonial order and established the United States and the Soviet Union as the two dominant superpowers of the postwar era. It also produced the United Nations, the Nuremberg and Tokyo war-crimes trials, and the modern legal framework governing the conduct of armed conflict.
Who are World War II's key figures?
The war is most closely associated with Adolf Hitler of Nazi Germany and Benito Mussolini of Fascist Italy on the Axis side, alongside Allied leaders such as Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin. Their strategic decisions and political choices shaped every major campaign from the invasion of Poland through the final surrender.
More in Modern Conflicts 1-15
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