It was fought between two main powers: the Allies (United States, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union) and the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan). The war had a profound impact on the world, leading to the deaths of millions of people, widespread destruction, and a reshaping of the global political landscape. The Second World War in Europe began in September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland, followed by declarations of war against the Western powers. Over the next year, Germany conquered much of Europe, including Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Yugoslavia, Greece, and the Soviet Union. The United Kingdom, supported by the Commonwealth, fought against Germany in North Africa and the Mediterranean. In June 1941, Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, a massive invasion of the Soviet Union, which led to heavy fighting on the Eastern Front. The United States entered the war in December 1941 after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

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