World War II affected every country in the world during the years 1939-45. The main conflict was between the Axis powers - Germany, Italy and Japan - and the Allies - france, great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union and, to a lesser extent, China.
The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I, combined with social unrest and political instability in Europe led to the rise of Nazism in Germany. Under the leadership of Hitler, Germany began to secretly rearm itself. Unopposed by the other leaders in Europe, Hitler ordered a military occupation of the Rhineland which went against the Treaty of Versailles. Later, Musollini, the Italian dictator, declared Italy to be an ally of Germany. Hitler later invaded Czechoslovakia and Italy annexed Albania. When Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact and Germany invaded Poland, Great Britain and France declared war.
The world was once again at war.
