The second global conflict resulted from the rise of totalitarian and military regimes in Germany, Italy and Japan which had developed from the Great Depression that swept across the world in the 1930s.

After WW1, the defeated Germany and Italy were anxious to regain their power and adopted forms of fascism that gave total control to the state. Joined by Japan, these three countries looked to expand at the expense of neighbouring countries. In the Far East, the Japanese invaded China and committed a number of atrocities.

In Europe, Germany invaded Czechoslovakia and after they invaded Poland on 1 September, Britain and France declared war. Because of an alliance with Poland, Britain warned Germany that they would need to retreat from Poland or Britain would declare war. When Germany refused to do this, Britain declared war on 3 September 1939.

This title also looks at the first battles of World War Two and shows how Britain prepared for another World War.