The Second World War took place from 1939 to 1945 and involved most of the world's major powers. The war was triggered by Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939, but the underlying causes were more complex. These included the rise of fascism and militarism in Europe, the legacy of World War I, and the global economic crisis of the 1930s. The war saw the Allies, which included the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union, eventually triumph over the Axis powers, which included Germany, Italy, and Japan. The war had a profound impact on the world, leading to the destruction of cities, the deaths of millions of
