Changes

[[Image:Caen_sniper.jpg|right|thumb|300px|An allied soldier in the ruins of Caen, 9 July 1944]]

[[Image:Caen_sniper.jpg|right|thumb|300px|An allied soldier in the ruins of Caen, 9 July 1944]]

'''World War II''' was a global conflict fought between the [[Allies|Allied powers]] (led by the [[United States]] to save the weak [[British Commonwealth]] from aggression by [[Germany]], and ultimately included the [[Soviet Union]], the [[Republic of China]], and many other nations), and the [[Axis Powers]] (mainly [[Third Reich|Nazi Germany]], [[Fascism|Fascist]] [[Italy]], and Imperial [[Japan]]). Several conflicts involving some world major powers precipitated the general conflagration.  On September 1, 1939 [[Poland]] was invaded by Nazi Germany. On September 3, [[Britain]] and the [[French Third Republic]] with its allies entered the war.  

'''World War II''' was a global conflict 1939-45 in which the [[Allies|Allied powers]] (led after 1941 by the [[United States]] and including the [[British Commonwealth]], the [[Soviet Union]], the [[Republic of China]], and many other nations), totally defeated the [[Axis Powers]] (led by [[Third Reich|Nazi Germany]], and including [[Italy]], and [[Japan]]). Although Japan's war against China began in 1937, the main conflict started in September 1939 when Germany invaded [[Poland]] (with support from the Soviets); [[Britain]] and [[French Third Republic|France]] then declared war on Germany.  

During the war, eight major world powers fought, along with several lesser states joining with one side or the other. On the side which lost were the Axis Powers Germany, [[Japan]], and [[Italy]]. Against them came to be the Allied Powers [[United States]], [[Britain]] and the Commonwealth, the [[Soviet Union]] with its [[Comintern]] allies, and the [[Republic of China]]. The conflict was the deadliest in human history with estimated deaths ranging from 50 million to over 70 million depending on research methodology.<ref>http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat1.htm#Second</ref>   

The conflict was the deadliest in human history with estimated deaths ranging from 50 million to over 70 million soldiers and civilians.<ref>http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat1.htm#Second</ref>  It ended with the Soviet Union dominant in Eastern Europe, and the U.S. and its allies dominant in Western Europe, setting the stage for the [[Cold War]].

==Causes: Europe==

==Causes: Europe==

The war began with the German invasion of Poland on the 1st September 1939.  Britain and France declared war on Germany in response.

The war began with the German invasion of Poland on the 1st September 1939.  Britain and France declared war on Germany in response.