World War II

"The war is over, and we are in control, as planned."

- A Templar letter regarding the war, 1945.

World War II, or the Second World War, was a global military conflict lasting from 1 September 1939 to 2 September 1945. This war involved most of the world's nations, including all of the great powers that eventually formed two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis.

History
World War II was the most widespread war in history, with more than 100 million military personnel mobilized. In a state of "total war," the major participants placed their entire economic, industrial, militaristic, and scientific capabilities towards the service of the war effort, erasing the distinction between civilian and military resources.

Marked by significant events involving the mass death of civilians, including the Holocaust and the only use of nuclear weapons in warfare to date, it was the deadliest conflict in human history, resulting in 50 million to over 70 million fatalities.

The war began on 1 September 1939, with the German invasion of Poland, Slovakia, and the Soviet Union (17 days later) and with the subsequent declarations of war on Germany by France and most of the countries of the British Empire and Commonwealth.

The war ended with the total victory of the Allies over Germany and Japan. Germany surrendered 8 May 1945 after the fall of Berlin and collapse of German battle lines. In early August 1945, the United States dropped nuclear bombs on Japan, one on Hiroshima and another on Nagasaki. Japan surrendered unconditionally on 2 September 1945.

Templar influence
The Templars began the war in an effort to form a new world government. Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Adolf Hitler were the world leaders confirmed as Templar puppets. Hitler and Roosevelt were the only leaders confirmed to hold Pieces of Eden.

The original plan for the conclusion of the war called for a Hitler double to be found cremated in the 'Führerbunker', so that Hitler himself could escape from a besieged Berlin to rendezvous with Churchill. However, the Assassins killed the original Hitler as he departed from his bunker. It is unclear what happened to Hitler's Apple after his death.

Roosevelt, whose health had slowly deteriorated over the course of the war, died of a stroke shortly before the war's end, with Vice President Harry Truman taking his place and eventually ordering the bombing of Japan.