2ND WORLD WAR
World War II ( WWII or WW2 ), also known as the Second World War , was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries —including all the great powers —forming two opposing military alliances : the Allies and the Axis . In a state of total war , directly involving more than 100 million personnel from more than 30 countries, the major participants threw their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind the war effort , blurring the distinction between civilian and military resources. World War II was the deadliest conflict in human history, resulting in 70 to 85 million fatalities , with more civilians than military personnel killed. Tens of millions of people died due to genocides (including the Holocaust ), premeditated death from starvation , massacres , and disease . Aircraft played a major role in the conflict, including in strategic bombing of popu