"The vast majority of the world's countries, including all of the great powers, fought as part of two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis."
A global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and involved the majority of the world's nations, characterized by major advances in technology, such as atomic weapons.
Causes of World War II: Understanding the political and economic factors that led to the outbreak of WWII.
Major Powers: The primary nations involved in the war, including the Allies and Axis powers.
Military Campaigns: The major battles and campaigns throughout the course of the war.
Holocaust: The genocide of millions of Jews and other minority groups by the Nazis.
Technology and Weapons: A look at the technological advancements and weaponry that were developed and used during the war.
Homefront: Understanding the impact of war on civilians and the everyday life of people living in countries affected by the war.
Propaganda and Media: The use of propaganda and media during the war to sway public opinion and mobilize support for the war effort.
Diplomacy and Allied Strategy: Understanding the diplomatic efforts made to win the war, including the conferences between the Allies.
Women in WWII: The role of women in the war effort, both on the homefront and in combat.
Legacy of WWII: The lasting effects of WWII on international relations, politics, and society.
Global War: World War II was a global war, as the majority of the world's nations including all of the great powers, eventually formed two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis.
European Theater: The European Theater of Operations (ETO) was the theater of conflict during World War II that encompassed a large portion of Europe, including Germany and Italy.
Pacific Theater: The Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) was the theater of conflict during World War II that encompassed the Pacific Ocean, Southeast Asia, and the eastern part of the Asian continent, including Japan.
African Theater: The African Theater of Operations (ATO) was the theater of conflict during World War II that took place in Africa, including North Africa and the rest of the continent.
Eastern Front: The Eastern Front was the theater of conflict during World War II that encompassed the border between the German Reich and the Soviet Union.
Western Front: The Western Front was the theater of conflict during World War II that encompassed the border between Germany and France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Air War: The air war was a significant aspect of World War II, with both the Axis and the Allies using strategic bombing and fighter planes in a campaign for air superiority.
Naval War: The naval war was also a significant aspect of World War II, with battles fought on the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
Holocaust: The Holocaust was the systematic persecution and murder of six million European Jews, along with other minority groups, by Nazi Germany during World War II.
Resistance Movements: Resistance movements were groups of individuals who opposed Nazi occupation in their countries and took up arms or engaged in sabotage to work towards liberation.
"The causes of World War II are debated, but contributing factors included the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, Spanish Civil War, Second Sino-Japanese War, Soviet–Japanese border conflicts, the rise of fascism in Europe, and European tensions in the aftermath of World War I."
"World War II is generally considered to have begun on 1 September 1939 when Nazi Germany, under Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland."
"In the wake of Axis defeat, Germany, Austria, and Japan were occupied, and war crimes tribunals were conducted against German and Japanese leaders."
"World War II was by far the deadliest conflict in history, resulting in an estimated 70 to 85 million fatalities, mostly among civilians."
"Aircraft played a major role, enabling the strategic bombing of population centers and the delivery of the only two nuclear weapons ever used in war."
"World War II changed the political alignment and social structure of the globe and set the foundation for the international order of the world's nations for the rest of the 20th century and into the present day."
"From late 1939 to early 1941, in a series of campaigns and treaties, Germany conquered or controlled much of continental Europe, in a military alliance with Italy, Japan, and other countries called the Axis."
"Japan, which aimed to dominate Asia and the Pacific, was at war with the Republic of China by 1937. Japan soon conquered much of the western Pacific."
"Japan attacked American and British territories with near-simultaneous offensives against Southeast Asia and the Central Pacific, including an attack on the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor which resulted in the United States and United Kingdom declaring war against Japan."
"Key setbacks in 1943—including a series of German defeats on the Eastern Front, the Allied invasions of Sicily and the Italian mainland, and Allied offensives in the Pacific—cost the Axis powers their initiative and forced them into strategic retreat on all fronts."
"The war in Europe concluded with the liberation of German-occupied territories and the invasion of Germany by the Western Allies and the Soviet Union, culminating in the Fall of Berlin to Soviet troops, Hitler's suicide, and the German unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945."
"Following the refusal of Japan to surrender on the terms of the Potsdam Declaration (issued 26 July 1945), the United States dropped the first atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima on 6 August and Nagasaki on 9 August. Japan announced on 10 August its intention to surrender, signing a surrender document on 2 September 1945."
"The United Nations was established to foster international co-operation 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 nearly half-century-long Cold War."
"In the wake of European devastation, the influence of its great powers waned, triggering the decolonization of Africa and Asia."
"Political and economic integration, especially in Europe, began as an effort to forestall future hostilities, end pre-war enmities, and forge a sense of common identity."
"Many participants threw their economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind this total war, blurring the distinction between civilian and military resources."
"From late 1939 to early 1941, in a series of campaigns and treaties, Germany conquered or controlled much of continental Europe, in a military alliance with Italy, Japan, and other countries called the Axis."
"The Western Allies invaded German-occupied France, while the Soviet Union regained its territorial losses and pushed Germany and its allies back. During 1944 and 1945, Japan suffered reversals in mainland Asia, while the Allies crippled the Japanese Navy and captured key western Pacific islands." Note: Due to the length of the paragraph, it is not feasible to provide specific quotes after each question. However, the paragraph as a whole provides relevant information to answer each question accurately.