FOCUS QUESTION How did Germany and Japan conquer enormous empires during World War II, and how did the Allies defeat them?

Nazi Germany’s unlimited ambition unleashed an apocalyptic cataclysm. Hitler’s armies quickly conquered much of western and eastern Europe, establishing a vast empire of expropriation, destruction, and death. At the same time, Japanese armies overran much of Southeast Asia and created their own racial empire. This reckless aggression brought together a coalition of unlikely but powerful allies determined to halt the advance of fascism: Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union. After years of slaughter that decimated much of Europe and East Asia, this “Grand Alliance” decisively defeated the Axis powers.