World War II

World War II (WWII or WW2), also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from 1938 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 60 million personnel from more than 20 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 68.5 million fatalities, with more civilians than military personnel killed.