After acquiring power, Hitler started preparing for expanding his territory to the east. This happened on September 1, 1939. The German armed forces attacked Poland and the Second World War started. Till 1941, the Germans fought together with Italy and Japan against France, Great Britain, USA, and the Soviet Union. The war was waged outside Europe as well. Unlike previous wars, the civil population also suffered mainly from the constant air raids. The war ended in Europe on May 8, 1945, with the surrender of Germany.
