Fiveable
Fiveable

World War II

Definition

World War II was a global conflict that took place between 1939-1945 involving many of the world's nations organized into two opposing military alliances - Allies (including countries like USA, UK, USSR) versus Axis powers (like Germany, Italy & Japan).

Analogy

Imagine World War II as an intense game of Risk where players are trying to take over territories across the globe. Some players team up (Allies), while others form their own group (Axis). In this high-stakes game, strategies change rapidly based on moves made by opponents.

Related terms

Holocaust: The systematic genocide carried out by Nazi Germany during World War II resulting in approximately six million Jewish deaths.

D-Day Invasion: The Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II, which was the largest seaborne invasion in history and marked the beginning of the end for Germany.

Pearl Harbor: A U.S. naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii, that was attacked by Japanese air forces on December 7, 1941, leading to the United States' entry into World War II.

"World War II" appears in:

Practice Questions (20+)



© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.