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world war
World War II (abbreviated WWII), or the Second World War, was a worldwide military conflict which lasted from 1939 to 1945. World War II was the amalgamation of two conflicts, one starting in Asia as the Second Sino-Japanese War, later involving the United States with the Attack on Pearl Harbor, and the other beginning in Europe with the Invasion of Poland.

This global conflict split a majority of the world's nations into two opposing camps: the Allies and the Axis. Spanning much of the globe, World War II resulted in the deaths of over 60 million people, making it the deadliest conflict in human history.[1]

World War II was the most widespread war ever experienced, mobilizing over 100 million soldiers from 61 nations, with hostilities covering over 20 million km². Total war erased the distinction between civil and military resources and saw the complete mobilization of a nation's economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities for the purposes of the war effort; nearly two-thirds of those killed in the war were civilians. Of particular note was the Holocaust, largely conducted in Eastern Europe, and resulting in the extermination by Germany of around 6 million Jews and other minorities.

As a result of World War II, the United States and Soviet Union emerged as the world's two leading superpowers, dominating the world's stage for the next 40 years. The dominance of Europe faded due to the rise of Asian, Arabian, and eventually African decolonization/independence movements, which was roughly complete by the 1960s. Paradoxically, while World War II was probably the worst conflict in European history, it has led some to desire a more unified Europe in order to avoid future conflicts.

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world war Date: September 1, 1939 – September 2, 1945

Location: Europe, Pacific, South-East Asia, Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa

Result: Allied victory. Creation of the United Nations. Emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers. Creation of First World and Second World spheres of influence in Europe leading to the Cold War.