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World War II (WWII) was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and involved the majority of the world's nations. It is considered the deadliest conflict in human history, with an estimated 70 million people killed. The causes of the war are complex and varied, with several countries taking part in the conflict. The main belligerents were the Axis powers – Germany, Japan, and Italy – and the Allied powers – Great Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union. The war began with the invasion of Poland by Germany in September 1939, and ended with the Allied victories in Europe and the Pacific in 1945.
The war had a profound impact on world politics, economics, and culture. Many countries' boundaries and governments changed, and new nations were created. World War II also saw the development of new technologies, such as the atomic bomb and jet fighters, which had a significant impact on warfare. The Holocaust, a genocide of European Jews, was carried out by Nazi Germany and its collaborators.
The war also left a legacy of devastation and destruction, with millions of people displaced, homes and cities destroyed, and economies ruined. In the aftermath of the war, the United Nations was founded in 1945 to promote international peace and security. The international community also created the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 to ensure that all people, regardless of race, religion, or nationality, are treated equally and with dignity.
The legacy of World War II continues to shape international relations and global politics today. The war had a profound impact on international law, with the Nuremberg and Tokyo Trials setting legal precedents for the prosecution of war crimes. Additionally, the war helped set the stage for the Cold War and the establishment of the United Nations and its associated institutions. The conflict also played a role in the development of the European Union and NATO, organizations that continue to shape the world today.