After conquering Sudetenland Czechoslovakia and Poland on November 23 1939 Hitler defied his generals to attack France and the UK—relying on his instincts over their counsel.

July 1945: amid fierce Japanese resistance in the Pacific Truman and Stalin pushed for Japan to surrender. The atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki as well as the Soviet invasion of Manchuria ensured Allied victory.

While the Marshall Plan saved post-WWII Europe it also fueled the Cold War and American imperialism sparking debate.

On October 1 1949 after years of revolutionary struggle Mao Zedong proclaims the People's Republic of China aiming to restore its legendary strength and past glory.