World War II

World War II was a global conflict fought from 1939 to 1945 between the Allied and Axis powers. Explore the key facts, people, and events below, and sort the cards by type or by part of the war. 
    

      
      

        
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World War IIStat
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people killed
World War II caused the deaths of an estimated 70 million people, making it the deadliest conflict in human history.
The war began on September 1st, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland, and fighting spread across Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond. Soldiers and civilians alike died in huge numbers from combat, bombing raids, famine, and genocide. The scale of death was shaped in large part by the causes of the war, including the aggressive expansion of Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler.
Soviets defend a position during the Battle of Stalingrad. (Colorized by historycrunch.com)
Soviets defend a position during the Battle of Stalingrad. (Colorized by historycrunch.com)
Source: Library of Congress© factsthatcrunch.comMore World War II Facts →



          

                  

            




World War IIMini Timeline
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World War II began in September 1939 and quickly spread across Europe and beyond. The opening phase saw Nazi Germany launch fast, powerful attacks against its neighbors. These early moves set the stage for a long and deadly global conflict.
1939
Germany Invades PolandGermany attacked Poland on September 1st, 1939, starting the war in Europe.
1939
Britain and France Declare WarBritain and France declared war on Germany on September 3rd, 1939.
1940
Fall of FranceGermany defeated France and entered Paris on June 14th, 1940.
1940
Battle of BritainGermany launched an air campaign against Britain starting in the summer of 1940.
1941
Germany Invades the Soviet UnionGermany attacked the Soviet Union on June 22nd, 1941, opening a massive new front.
6 weeks
Time it took Germany to defeat France in 1940
70 to 85 million
Total estimated deaths across the whole war
27 million
Estimated Soviet deaths, the highest of any single nation
Source: Library of Congress© factsthatcrunch.comMore World War II Facts →



          

                  

            




World War IIBiography
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Winston Churchill
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Born: November 30th, 1874, Blenheim Palace, England
Became Prime Minister: May 10th, 1940
Led Britain through World War II: 1940 to 1945
Died: January 24th, 1965, London, England
Winston Churchill led Britain as Prime Minister during the hardest years of World War II, keeping the country fighting against Nazi Germany when the situation looked very difficult. His speeches, decisions, and close work with Allied leaders like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin helped shape the strategy that led the Allies to victory in 1945.
Allied LeaderWorld War IIBritish HistoryWartime Strategy
Winston Churchill in December of 1941. (Colorized by historycrunch.com)
Winston Churchill in December of 1941. (Colorized by historycrunch.com)
Source: Smithsonian Institution© factsthatcrunch.comMore World War II Facts →