It is believed by many that the Second World War was a natural continuation of the First World War. Certainly Germany was seeking to reassert itself as a nation in the world was angry and was suffering economically from the crippling reparations it was forced to accept after the First World War. But though the original and main players were Germany and Britain at the beginning time had moved on. This was was far more complex than its predecessor.
It was also a war like none before it. Japan who had sided with the Allies in the First World War was this time on the side of Axis Powers with Germany and Italy. Other countries changed sides - Russia having been wooed by Germany found herself later attacked by the same country. Italy a staunch partner with Germany since the early 1930s changed sides during the latter part of the war.