"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."
The study of the global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945.
Causes of World War II: An overview of the social, economic, and political factors that led to the outbreak of World War II, including the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of dictators, and economic instability.
Key Players in the War: An introduction to the major leaders and countries involved in the war, including Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the Axis and Allied powers.
Propaganda and Public Opinion: A look at the ways in which propaganda was used to shape public opinion and mobilize citizens for war, including examples from both Axis and Allied powers.
Major Battles and Events: An overview of the key battles and events of the war, including the invasion of Poland, the Blitzkrieg, the Battle of Stalingrad, D-Day, and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Holocaust: An examination of the genocide committed by the Nazis against Jewish people and other marginalized groups, including the use of concentration and extermination camps.
Home Front: A look at how civilian populations were affected by the war, including rationing, women's roles in the workforce, and the internment of Japanese Americans in the United States.
End of the War and Aftermath: An examination of the end of the war, the post-war reconstruction and rebuilding of Europe, and the establishment of the United Nations.
Military History: The study of the strategies, tactics, and operations of the armed forces during World War II.
Diplomatic History: The study of the international relations between countries during World War II, including the alliances and agreements made between nations.
Economic History: The study of the economic factors that affected the war effort, including the role of industry, agriculture, and finance in supporting the war.
Social History: The study of how World War II affected society, including changes in gender roles, racial relations, and the impact of the war on civilian populations.
Cultural History: The study of the art, literature, music, and popular culture produced during World War II, and how it reflects the political and social realities of the time.
Holocaust Studies: The study of the genocide of Jewish people and other marginalized groups in Nazi-occupied Europe during the war.
Resistance and Collaboration Studies: The study of how resistance movements and collaboration with occupying powers occurred in various countries during World War II.
Intelligence History: The study of secret intelligence and espionage during World War II, including codebreaking and propaganda.
Medical History: The study of medical advancements and practices during World War II, including the treatment of wounded soldiers and the impact of disease on military operations.
Environmental History: The study of the impact of World War II on the natural environment.
Technological History: The study of the technological advancements and innovations made during World War II that impacted warfare and the world today.
Post-War History: The study of the aftermath and lasting effects of World War II on the world, including its impact on politics, economics, and society.
"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.