World War II was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It was the most widespread war in history, involving more than 30 countries and resulting in the deaths of over 70 million people. The war began with the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939 and ended
World War II, or the Second World War, was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries participated. World War II was the deadliest conflict in history, causing the death of 60 to 75 million people. 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.