Wwii

Definition

World War II (1939–1945) was the deadliest conflict in human history, fought between the Allies (U.S., Britain, Soviet Union, China, and others) and the Axis powers (Germany, Japan, Italy). The war involved the Holocaust, the first use of atomic weapons, and resulted in roughly 70–85 million deaths worldwide.

Examples

  • The D-Day invasion at Normandy on June 6, 1944, opened a second front against Nazi Germany
  • The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 led to Japan's surrender
  • The Holocaust systematically murdered six million Jews and millions of others
Key Fact

WWII lasted from 1939 to 1945; the U.S. entered after Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Related Terms

World war ii Wwi Cold war Genocide

Study This Concept

Practice WWII with free review games in these units:

AP US History Unit 7: 1890-1945: World Wars Era