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]], but eventually including the [[Soviet Union]], the [[British Commonwealth]], 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 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.  

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>   

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>