Learn about the causes, key events and impact of World War Two on Britain and the world.
World War Two was the largest and most destructive conflict in human history, lasting from 1939 to 1945. It began when Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland on 1st September 1939. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later. The war involved countries across the globe and was fought between two main groups: the Allies (including Britain, France, the USA and the Soviet Union) and the Axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan). In Britain, the threat of German bombing raids — called the Blitz — led to around 3.5 million children being evacuated from cities to safer rural areas. Rationing was introduced because food and materials were scarce. The war finally ended in 1945 with the defeat of Germany in May (VE Day) and Japan in August (VJ Day). The war caused the deaths of an estimated 70–85 million people worldwide and led to the creation of the United Nations to help prevent future conflicts.