World War II

World War II (WWII or WW2), also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from the year 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 total, the war directly involved more than 100 million people 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 recorded human history, backed by 70 to 85 million fatalities. Tens of millions of people died due to various genocides (including, but not limited to the **Holocaust**), premeditated death from starvation, massacres, and disease. Aircraft played a major role in the conflict, including in the use of strategic bombing of major cities and landmarks.