World War II, frequently abbreviated as WWII or WW2, stands as the most widespread and devastating conflict in human history, engulfing the globe from 1939 to 1945. It drew in the vast majority of the world's nations, including all the great powers of the era, which coalesced into two formidable, opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis powers. This was a true "total war," directly engaging over 100 million personnel from more than 30 countries. The principal combatants channeled their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities into the war effort, effectively blurring the traditional lines between civilian and military resources. A defining characteristic of the conflict was the pivotal role of air power, which facilitated strategic bombing campaigns against population centers and witnessed the only two instances of nuclear weapons being used in warfare. The scale of human suffering was unprecedented, with an estimated 70 to 85 million fatalities, a tragic majority of whom were civilians. Millions more perished due to horrific genocides, most notably the Holocaust, alongside widespread starvation, massacres, and disease. In the aftermath of the Axis defeat, both Germany and Japan faced occupation by the victorious powers, and comprehensive war crimes tribunals were convened to hold their leaders accountable.

The Origins and Outbreak of Global Conflict

The precise origins of World War II remain a subject of historical debate, yet several interconnected factors undoubtedly contributed to its eruption. These included aggressive military actions such as the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, the Spanish Civil War, and the Second Sino-Japanese War, along with the Soviet–Japanese border conflicts. Underlying these regional hostilities were escalating European tensions that had simmered since the conclusion of World War I. While a series of events built toward the war, its generally accepted beginning is 1 September 1939, when Nazi Germany, under the command of Adolf Hitler, launched its invasion of Poland. This act of aggression prompted the United Kingdom and France to declare war on Germany on 3 September, formally initiating the broader European conflict. Significantly, just weeks earlier, in August 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union had signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression treaty that secretly included provisions for the partition of Poland and the division of Eastern Europe into "spheres of influence" encompassing Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania.

The War's Escalation: Axis Dominance and Turning Tides

From late 1939 through early 1941, Germany executed a series of swift and devastating campaigns, conquering or establishing control over a significant portion of continental Europe. During this period, the Axis alliance was solidified with Italy and Japan, and later expanded to include other nations. Following the initiation of campaigns in North Africa and East Africa, and the dramatic fall of France in mid-1940, the war primarily pitted the European Axis powers against the British Empire. Key battles of this phase included intense fighting in the Balkans, the pivotal aerial Battle of Britain, the sustained bombing campaign known as the Blitz against the UK, and the relentless Battle of the Atlantic. A monumental shift occurred on 22 June 1941, when Germany, leading its European Axis allies, invaded the Soviet Union, thereby opening the Eastern Front – which would become the largest land theatre of war in history and a brutal, decisive struggle.

Concurrently, in Asia, Japan harbored ambitions of dominating the entire Asia-Pacific region and had been engaged in a protracted war with the Republic of China since 1937. In a dramatic escalation, December 1941 saw Japan launch near-simultaneous offensives against American and British territories across Southeast Asia and the Central Pacific. The most infamous of these was the surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor on 7 December, which directly led to the United States declaring war against Japan. In solidarity with their ally, the European Axis powers then declared war on the United States. Japan rapidly seized vast territories across the western Pacific, but its seemingly unstoppable advance was decisively halted in 1942 after its critical naval defeat at the Battle of Midway. Later that year, the Axis fortunes began to wane in Europe, with Germany and Italy suffering significant setbacks in North Africa and the devastating loss at Stalingrad in the Soviet Union. The year 1943 marked a crucial turning point, characterized by a series of German defeats on the Eastern Front, the Allied invasions of Sicily and the Italian mainland, and escalating Allied offensives in the Pacific. These setbacks collectively stripped the Axis powers of their initiative, forcing them into a strategic retreat across all fronts.

The Allied Victory and Post-War World

By 1944, the tide had unequivocally turned. The Western Allies launched the momentous invasion of German-occupied France, famously known as D-Day, on 6 June. Simultaneously, the Soviet Union systematically regained its lost territories and pressed deeper into Germany and its allies from the east. In the Asia-Pacific theatre, 1944 and 1945 saw Japan enduring severe reversals on mainland Asia, while the Allies relentlessly crippled the Japanese Navy and captured strategically vital islands in the western Pacific, steadily closing in on the Japanese home islands. The war in Europe reached its conclusion with the liberation of all German-occupied territories and a coordinated invasion of Germany by both the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. This culminated in the fall of Berlin to Soviet troops, Adolf Hitler's suicide, and Germany's unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945 (Victory in Europe Day).

The Pacific war, however, continued for a few more months. Following the Potsdam Declaration issued by the Allies on 26 July 1945, which called for Japan's unconditional surrender, Japan refused to accept its terms. In a move that forever altered warfare, the United States then dropped the first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on 6 August, followed by a second on Nagasaki on 9 August. Faced with the imminent threat of a full-scale Allied invasion of the Japanese archipelago, the possibility of further atomic bombings, and the Soviet Union's declaration of war against Japan (along with its invasion of Manchuria on the eve of this declaration), Japan announced its intention to surrender on 15 August. The formal surrender document was signed on 2 September 1945, marking the total victory for the Allies in Asia and the official end of World War II.

The aftermath of World War II profoundly reshaped global politics and social structures. The establishment of the United Nations (UN) was a direct response to the war's devastation, designed to foster international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. Its Security Council was dominated by the victorious great powers: China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, who became permanent members. The war also saw the emergence of the Soviet Union and the United States as rival superpowers, setting the stage for the nearly half-century-long ideological and geopolitical struggle known as the Cold War. The immense devastation suffered by European powers significantly diminished their global influence, accelerating the process of decolonization across Africa and Asia. Most war-damaged nations embarked on paths of economic recovery and expansion. Furthermore, the imperative to prevent future hostilities, overcome pre-war enmities, and forge a shared sense of identity spurred significant political and economic integration, particularly within Europe, laying foundations for institutions like what would become the European Union.

Frequently Asked Questions About World War II

What were the main alliances during World War II?

The primary alliances were the Allies (initially led by the United Kingdom, France, and later joined by the Soviet Union and the United States) and the Axis powers (led by Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan).

When did World War II start and end?

World War II is generally considered to have begun on 1 September 1939 with Germany's invasion of Poland, and officially ended on 2 September 1945 with Japan's formal surrender.

What was the significance of the Eastern Front?

The Eastern Front, opened by Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, was the largest land theatre of war in history. It involved immense scale and brutality, consuming a vast majority of German military resources and playing a decisive role in the ultimate defeat of Nazi Germany.

How did the United States enter World War II?

The United States officially entered World War II following Japan's surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. This led to the US declaring war on Japan, and subsequently, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States.

What was the human cost of World War II?

World War II was the deadliest conflict in human history, resulting in an estimated 70 to 85 million fatalities. A majority of these were civilians, dying from combat, genocides (like the Holocaust), starvation, massacres, and disease.

What major global changes occurred after World War II?

The war led to the establishment of the United Nations, the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as rival superpowers (initiating the Cold War), widespread decolonization, and significant efforts towards economic recovery and political integration, particularly in Europe.

George II, King of Greece: A Reign Marked by Exiles and Restorations

George II (Greek: Γεώργιος Βʹ, Gergios II), born on 19 July 1890 (or 7 July according to the Old Style calendar) and passing away on 1 April 1947, was a monarch whose reign over Greece was characterized by significant political upheaval and multiple periods of exile. He served as King of Greece in two distinct stretches: first from September 1922 to March 1924, and then again from November 1935 until his death in April 1947, a period that encompassed the tumultuous years of World War II.

A Life Defined by Political Turmoil and Exile

As the eldest son of King Constantine I and Sophia of Prussia, George's early life was intertwined with the volatile politics of Greece. In 1917, he followed his father into exile amidst the "National Schism," a deep political rift within Greece, while his younger brother, Alexander, was installed on the throne. Although Constantine I was restored to the throne in 1920, his return was brief. He was forced to abdicate just two years later in the wake of Greece's defeat in the Greco-Turkish War.

Upon his father's second abdication, George acceded to the Greek throne in September 1922. However, his initial reign was short-lived. Following a failed royalist coup attempt in October 1923, he was compelled to leave Greece and sought refuge in Romania. The political landscape continued to shift rapidly, and in March 1924, Greece was formally proclaimed a republic, leading to George's official deposition and the stripping of his Greek nationality. He would remain in exile for over a decade, observing Greek affairs from afar.

The monarchy was eventually restored in Greece in 1935, paving the way for George II's return and his resumption of royal duties in November of that year. His second reign, however, quickly embraced authoritarianism. In 1936, the King lent his crucial support to Ioannis Metaxas's self-coup, an event that established the 4th of August Regime – an authoritarian, nationalist, and anti-communist government that suppressed political opposition and ruled Greece with an iron fist until the German invasion in 1941.

World War II and Final Return

The outbreak of World War II dramatically impacted Greece. Following a devastating German invasion in April 1941, George II was once again forced into exile, his third such departure from his homeland. He initially sought refuge on the island of Crete, then moved to Egypt, before finally settling in London. From the British capital, he courageously headed the internationally recognized Greek government-in-exile, working tirelessly for the liberation of his country. After the war concluded and Greece was liberated, George returned home following a plebiscite held in 1946, which overwhelmingly affirmed the continuation of the monarchy.

Tragically, his final return was short. George II died of arteriosclerosis in April 1947 at the age of 56. As he had no children, the throne passed to his younger brother, Paul, who succeeded him as King of Greece.

Frequently Asked Questions About King George II of Greece

When did George II reign as King of Greece?

George II reigned in two periods: September 1922 to March 1924, and November 1935 to April 1947.

Why was George II exiled multiple times?

His exiles were due to political instability and regime changes in Greece. His first exile (1917) was with his father during the National Schism. The second (1923) followed a failed royalist coup and Greece's proclamation as a republic. His third exile (1941) occurred after the German invasion during World War II.

What was the 4th of August Regime?

The 4th of August Regime was an authoritarian, nationalist, and anti-communist government established in Greece in 1936 through a self-coup supported by King George II, led by Ioannis Metaxas. It suppressed political freedoms and lasted until the German invasion in 1941.

Where did George II spend his World War II exile?

During World War II, after the German invasion of Greece, George II went into exile, first to Crete, then Egypt, and finally settled in London, where he led the Greek government-in-exile.

Who succeeded King George II?

As George II had no children, he was succeeded by his younger brother, Paul, upon his death in April 1947.